ABSTRACT

Service-learning is an educational approach that combines teaching with community service in order to provide a learning experience while meeting societal needs. Developing centers for service-learning within universities and academic units supports community engagement. This chapter describes specific ways to conduct the practice of service-learning in landscape architecture studios. It examines broad learning outcomes for courses as activities and desired impacts for communities and students within the classroom. Participative practices are central to a ‘conscious’ practice within an engaged model of the landscape architectural profession that promote sustainability, social justice and inclusive design. Training future landscape architects in participative modes of design through democratic processes is an intrinsic element of pedagogy within the field. The skills developed by students in engaging with design processes are essential to promote the goals of a conscious landscape architecture profession, to promote social and environmental justice, and to create partnerships between the academy and communities that attack the wicked problems of contemporary society.