Landscape Architects Poised to Lead New Era of Infrastructure
Thanks to many years of steadfast grassroots efforts by ASLA members and the work of ASLA’s government affairs team, this Act includes critical victories for the landscape architecture profession and the communities they serve.
2021-11-05
Statement by Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO, ASLA:
The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will upgrade our nation’s transportation, water, energy technologies, and broadband infrastructure. The legislation incorporates 13 of ASLA’s transportation, water, and natural resources infrastructure recommendations sent to House and Senate transportation and infrastructure leaders and to the Biden-Harris administration.
Thanks to many years of steadfast grassroots efforts by ASLA members and the work of ASLA’s government affairs team, this Act includes critical victories for the landscape architecture profession and the communities they serve.
Funding is dramatically increased for safe, active, and low-carbon transportation programs, like the Transportation Alternatives program, the Safe Routes to School program, and the Complete Streets initiative.
The bill creates new programs that will allow landscape architects to lead projects nationwide, including the Healthy Streets Initiative, and programs to eliminate invasive plants, create habitat for pollinators on highway rights-of-way, plan and design wildlife crossings, and more.
The Act also takes some unprecedented steps to tackle climate change and resilience and takes some bold steps to address environmental and social equity – key ASLA priorities.
Read more about ASLA's recommendations and what's in the infrastructure legislation.