A landscape architect is a professional who carries out the planning, design and construction of open space that is habitable for humans. Depending on the specialty, this can occur between three scales: architectural, urban and regional; from residential, corporate, communal gardens (streets, avenues, squares, roundabouts, ports, industrial and commercial areas) and; to the regional level in: (highways, railways, land use, national parks, the biosphere) and global level (sustainable development).[1]​ Their professional practice is known as landscape architecture, landscape architecture or simply landscaping, depending on the country.[2]​.

The term is sometimes used, erroneously, to refer to garden workers, garden designers, architects or engineers, probably due to the recentness of the profession, in terms of recognition (license).[3]​[4]​.

Landscape architecture or landscaping was not fully recognized in developed countries as an independent profession until the beginning of the century. Despite the efforts of landscape architects, it is still unusual for an architect/builder to commission open space design services.[4]​.

The term has different meanings, depending on the place. However, in general the title (like that of architect or engineer) is protected, and the practice of landscape architecture requires a license or registration.[2]​.

These are some fields of work for the landscape architect:.