National Design Associations Propose National Academy

A group of national design associations has proposed the creation of a National Academy of Environmental Design to add to the four existing national academies (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council). The group includes the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, American Institute of Architects, American Society of Landscape Architects, American Institute of Architecture Students, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, and Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. The new academy would coordinate research efforts, distribute information, and make policy recommendations in the areas of green building, urban planning, landscape design, and transportation. The group plans to petition Congress to support the establishment of the academy in 2009. More information is available at www.naedonline.org.