'Most [landscape design] companies in Hong Kong and [mainland] China are understaffed. Projects are coming in and they just don't have the people to handle them,' he said.

The growth of the industry is driven by several factors, most significantly a preference for better living environments. Property developers have realised that new residential developments sell as much on the quality of their outdoor space as they do on their indoor space. And landscaping is more effective and less expensive than interior work.

This preference for better living environments is driven by increased wealth, Mr Ng said.

'People are getting rich and expecting more from their living environments. They want a clubhouse or some greenery, and more environmentally sensitive surroundings. They want less pollution, more trees, more parks, and better designed streetscapes so they can enjoy their outdoor space.'

Hong Kong is known as a city where leisure time is spent indoors, and activities such as karaoke, mahjong and shopping are favoured over outdoor activities. But there was an increasing tendency towards spending time with family and friends outdoors, Mr Ng said. And this was also driving growth in the landscape design industry.

This growth is compounded by Hong Kong's proximity to Macau, where a seemingly insatiable desire for casinos and luxury accommodation has meant that landscape designers are highly sought after. They are also in demand in the mainland and Dubai, where the construction boom is in full swing.

Leslie Chen Hung-Chi, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, said: 'The landscape architecture profession is not as well developed in [mainland] China as it is in Hong Kong. Hong Kong landscape architects generally have much wider exposure at international level and are very much sought after.'

The institute is the professional body for landscape architects in Hong Kong, responsible for running the professional practice examination and maintaining high standards in the industry. It is currently focused on increasing the amount of so-called greening in Hong Kong, not simply with visual improvement in mind, but with a view to bettering the urban environment in general.

Urban ecology and urban sustainability are key concepts in the future of the industry, with projects like the Hong Kong Wetland Park leading the field.

Professor Chen said greening was under discussion in the government, but not enough was being done.

'The government is putting a lot of emphasis on the greening policy and there is a greening committee driving this. But it does not yet have a central policy bureau looking specifically at greening matters. It also does not have a comprehensive landscape policy or ordinance so there is room for improvement,' he said.

Professor Chen was hopeful that landscape designers would increasingly be involved at the inception stages of large projects in Hong Kong, studying the site and being part of the strategy, and not just being brought in at the end to beautify new developments.

He said landscape designers would play a progressively important role in the team of professionals employed on large development projects.

'There will be more multidisciplinary efforts in improving the environment in Hong Kong and beyond. There is a lot of discussion about the West Kowloon Project and the Wan Chai waterfront reclamation. These all require a large team of experts, and landscape architects play one of the key roles,' Professor Chen said.

He agreed with Mr Ng that one of the biggest issues facing the industry was the lack of qualified landscape architects in Hong Kong. Professor Chen is director of the only professionally accredited course available in the region, the master's of landscape architecture run by the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. Due to limited resources, only one course is run every second year.

He said the university was likely to increase this to one course a year and was looking to introduce different modes of study in this discipline, such as a bachelor's degree and a part-time course.

As places are limited in the master's programme, competition is fierce. Applicants should have a recognised undergraduate degree in a related subject, such as architecture, environmental design or civil engineering. They should be able to demonstrate an interest in design and the betterment of our outdoor environment, or have worked in a related industry.

They should be able to lead, work in a team and understand different viewpoints.

KEY PLAYERS

Assistant landscape architect

Landscape architect

Senior landscape architect

Associate

Deputy project director

Project director

JARGON

Site contacts

The defining features of the site; the sea, mountains, trees, birds, or cultural heritage

Master landscape plan (MLP) review

A review of the major components of the landscape design, where additional landscape opportunities are identified, such as whether an island or fake mountain could be built

Design development

At this stage, the detail of the design is looked at; the pavilions, trellises and water features

Dry fountain

A water feature that disappears when it is turned off. The system is concealed underground

Artificial rocks

Moulds are made from fabric grass reinforced concrete (GFRC) using real rocks as templates. The texture of natural rocks and stones is replicated.

Vanishing edge

The overflow edge of an 'infinity' pool. One edge of the pool is at the same level as the water to create the illusion of disappearing

Bubbler pad

A platform where many water jets spout water and air bubbles into shallow water so that the whole pad turns white.