Course 1: Real Estate and Development Foundations for Landscape Architects - 1.0 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)
Includes a Live Web Event on 05/28/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
This introductory course provides landscape architects with a foundational understanding of the real estate and development process. Participants will explore key terminology, phases of development, and the critical role that design and planning professionals can play from project inception to completion. Through real-world context and practical tools, including a terminology handout, the course empowers participants to confidently navigate the development process and communicate their value as landscape architects.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the core phases of the real estate development process, from market research and site selection to asset management and disposition.
- Recognize key financial concepts such as pro formas, land value, return on investment (ROI), internal rate of return (IRR), and carrying costs, and how these impact project planning and decision-making.
- Identify opportunities for earlier and more effective engagement of landscape architects in development projects, particularly during planning, financing, and entitlement phases.
Mandy Pope
Director, Real Estate Center, McCombs School of Business
University of Texas at Austin
Mandy Pope is a finance lecturer and director of the Real Estate Center at The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she teaches real estate development to undergraduate and MBA students. Formerly a principal and executive at TBG Partners, she brings a strong background in landscape architecture, operations, and strategic management. Pope has led complex development projects and held leadership roles in finance, HR, and firm operations. She is active in the industry, serving on the boards and committees of the Real Estate Council of Austin and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Toshihiko Karato, ASLA (Moderator)
Senior Associate
Toshi is devoted to exploring the meaningful places that ground people to their cultural and ecological landscapes shaping their individual identities. From residential gardens to campus master plans, he strives to create places that are beautiful and resilient with a focus on the ephemeral experiences. Drawing on his background in history and engineering, he is passionate about integrating performative projects in broader narratives of place.
He received his Masters of Landscape Architecture and Masters of Architecture from the University of Virginia and his work has been recognized by the ASLA and ICAA. While in New York, he served on the board of NYSCLA and ASLA-NY Chapter advocating for the profession and its public service.
Toshi enjoys exploring the local cultural and natural offerings, as well as traveling near and far—often visiting the landscapes he grew up with in Japan and Germany.
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