Canadian Society of Landscape Architects : When it was founded in 1934, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) was called "The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and Town Planners". The name changed officially to the current name in 1964.
The founding members of the Society were: Carl Borgstrom; Humphrey Carver; Gordon Culham; Howard B. Dunington Grubb; Laurie A. Dunington Grubb; Edwin Kay; Helen M. Kippax; Frances C. Steinhoff; J. Vilhelm Stensson. The inaugural meeting was held on March 6, 1934 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
By 1934, landscape architects were active in all major centres across Canada in the design and planning of parks, open spaces, public institutions, roadways, neighbourhoods and communities. Landscape architect Frederick Todd, for example, was instrumental in the early 1900s in the design of Mount Royal Park in Montreal and the design of Ottawa's scenic driveways and urban green spaces. Later he designed the neighbourhood of Mount Royal in Montreal.
In 1946, French Landscape Architect Jacques Greber became an affiliate of the CSLA and honorary member in 1949. In 1948, after Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King gave a speech on landscape architecture, he too became an honorary member of the CSLA.
In 1959, the CSLA introduced its first national landscape architectural publication, "The Canadian Landscape Architect".
In 1960, three CSLA chapterswere created: Montreal/Ottawa, Central Canada and the Prairie/Pacific Coast In 1960, the first newsletter, "Land Design" was published.
Following World War II, landscape architects became involved in the design and planning of new communities, national and provincial parks, tourism facilities, institutions and corporate sites. Landscape architects played lead roles in the design of Expo 67 in Montreal.
In the mid-1960's, professional programs in landscape architecture were initiated at the Universities of Guelph, Manitoba, and Toronto. A few years later, programs were established at the University of British Columbia and the University of Montreal, and a program in landscape architectural technology was initiated at Ryerson Polytechnical University.
In 1964, CSLA members were invested into the College of Fellows for the first time.
In 1969, the CSLA restructured (led by Edwin Skapsts, Jack Walker and Clive Justice) as a federation of provincial/ regional component associations.
In 1980, the CSLA/AAPC created a governance structure as follows: regional representatives led by a nationally elected president.
In 1983, the CSLA begins its Professional Awards Program. Categories
cover design, planning and research. Design includes recreational, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and historical divisions as well asurban design and transport.
Today, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is a professional organization which now has over 1,980 landscape architects as members.The CSLA is now a federation of component organizations from across the nation, and these include: Alberta Association of Landscape Architects (AALA); Atlantic Provinces Association of Landscape Architects (APALA); British Columbia Society Of Landscape Architects (BCSLA); Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA); Northwest Territories Association Of Landscape Architects (NWTLA); Nunavut Association of Landscape Architects (NuALA); Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA); Association des Architectes Paysagistes du Québec (AAPQ); and Saskatchewan Association of Landscape Architects (SALA),
As the voice of the profession in Canada, the CSLA is an advocate for its members on issues such as urban design, urban renewal, sustainable development and cultural heritage. The CSLA is dedicated to advancing the art, the science and the practice of landscape architecture.
(More details about the history the CLSA can be found at the following link: http://www.csla-aapc.ca/sites/csla-aapc.ca/files/downloads/Appendix%20A%20-%20pocket%20history%20of%20CSLA.pdf
