What's Happening?
The ASLA Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, has announced a new national competitive research grant opportunity focused on data centers. The grant invites proposals from ASLA member and non-member practitioners and academics by November 20. This initiative
comes in response to the rapid proliferation of data centers across the U.S., driven by the increasing computing demands of artificial intelligence (AI). These facilities have become a source of political contention in many communities due to significant concerns regarding their land, energy, and water consumption, as well as their impacts on community health, well-being, biodiversity, and climate. The ASLA Fund aims to identify existing and developing best practices for data center community engagement, siting, design, and operations, both domestically and internationally, and to create a practice guide for landscape architects working on such projects.
Why It's Important?
This grant is crucial because it addresses the growing environmental and social challenges posed by the rapid expansion of data centers, which are essential infrastructure for AI. The concerns about land use, energy consumption, water usage, and community impact highlight a critical need for sustainable and responsible development practices. By funding research and creating a practice guide, the ASLA Fund aims to equip landscape architects and other allied professionals with the knowledge and tools to mitigate negative impacts and promote better integration of data centers into communities. This initiative can influence policy-makers, regulators, community leaders, and developers to adopt more sustainable approaches, ultimately fostering developments that balance technological advancement with environmental stewardship and community well-being.
What's Next?
The ASLA Fund will accept proposals until November 20, after which a selection process will determine the grant recipient(s). The chosen research team will then conduct a comprehensive study to identify best practices for data center development. The findings will be distilled into a practice guide, which will provide community engagement, planning, design, and maintenance guidelines for landscape architects. Both the research study and the practice guide are slated for publication and free availability on ASLA.org in September 2027. These resources are intended to advance research, advocacy, and practice goals among various audiences, including federal, state, and local policy-makers, community leaders, allied professionals, and landscape architecture students.
Beyond the Headlines
The ASLA Fund's initiative on data centers points to a deeper, often overlooked, consequence of the AI revolution: its physical footprint and resource demands. The rapid growth of AI is not just a digital phenomenon; it requires massive physical infrastructure that consumes significant amounts of land, energy, and water. This creates a tension between technological progress and environmental sustainability, particularly in underserved communities that often bear the brunt of such developments. The grant highlights the critical role of landscape architecture in mediating these impacts, moving beyond aesthetics to address complex ecological and social challenges. It also underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to design infrastructure that is not only functional but also environmentally responsible and socially equitable, setting a precedent for how future technological advancements should be integrated into the built environment.
