IFLA Bulletin

President’s message

Dear IFLA members,

As we embark on a brand-new year of 2025, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. The past year has been a testament to our collective strength, innovation, and unwavering commitment to creating a better world through landscape architecture.

Our achievements in 2024, from the IFLA World Congress in Istanbul to our impactful presence at the COPs and strengthening our partnerships with UN agencies and global organisations, have set the stage for an even more promising future.

We’ve also grown our IFLA Secretariat. On top of the fantastic work of our IFLA Executive Secretary, Sally Robertshaw, who is always present and there to assist with any query, we want to express our sincere gratitude for her unwavering dedication and exceptional support. Sally consistently goes above and beyond her role, ensuring the smooth operation of IFLA and providing invaluable assistance to our members. Her commitment to excellence and her genuine care for our community are truly appreciated.

In 2025, let us continue to push the boundaries of our profession, advocating for sustainable practices, empowering future leaders, and demonstrating the transformative power of landscape architecture. Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, sharing our expertise and engaging with IFLA to address the global challenges that lie ahead.

I am incredibly proud to be a part of this dynamic and passionate community. Together, let us make 2025 a year of extraordinary growth, impactful partnerships, and remarkable achievements.

Here’s to a prosperous and inspiring 2025!

Warmly,
Dr Bruno Marques
IFLA President

Exclusive interview with Sara Zewde

In this insightful interview, renowned landscape architect Sara Zewde discusses her inspirations, challenges, and experiences within the field of landscape architecture. From discovering her passion for the discipline after Hurricane Katrina to integrating storytelling and art into her designs, Sara delves deeply into her ideas and perspectives. She also sheds light on the evolving role of landscape architecture in addressing societal issues. Through her work, Sara continues to push the boundaries of what landscape architecture can achieve, making it a powerful tool for change and expression.

About Sara

Sara Zewde is founding principal of Studio Zewde, a design firm practicing landscape architecture, urbanism, and public art. Named to Time Magazine’s TIME 100 Next, Architectural Digest's AD100, and *Wallpaper’s 300 People Shaping Creative America, her practice is celebrated for its design methods that sync culture, ecology, and craft. In parallel to her design practice, Sara serves as Assistant Professor of Practice at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and is currently writing a book on her research retracing Frederick Law Olmsted's journeys through the Slave South. Sara holds a master’s of landscape architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, a master’s of city planning from MIT, and a BA in sociology and statistics from Boston University.

Read the full interview here: https://www.iflaworld.com/blogs/interview-with-sara-zwede

IFLA Webinar Series Kicks Off with a Powerful Start!

We kicked off our IFLA Webinar Series with a dynamic first session: "Landscape Architects Leading Climate Action: Nature-Based Solutions for a Regenerative Future." The webinar registered over 180 participants

This insightful session explored groundbreaking strategies for climate adaptation, mitigation, and restoration. It highlighted IFLA’s engagement at COP29 Azerbaijan and showcased how landscape architecture plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis.

Key discussions included:

• The innovative "Sponge City" concept

• How landscape architects can contribute to UNEP’s mission

• Collaborative efforts between IFLA & UN-Habitat for sustainable urban development

This is just the beginning—we are excited to bring you more inspiring discussions! Stay tuned.

Watch the webinar here: https://www.iflaworld.com/newsblog/watch-now-landscape-architects-leading-climate-action-nature-based-solutions-for-a-regenerative-future

Sustainable Outdoor Living the Nordic Way: Creating Inspiring Spaces

Outdoor living is essential to community well-being. Thoughtfully designed spaces inspire activity, connection, and an appreciation for nature. By embracing sustainability, these spaces can benefit both people and the planet.

Rooted in Finland, a Nordic country celebrated for its deep connection to nature and sustainability, Lappset collaborates with landscape architects worldwide to create inspiring outdoor environments. From unique playgrounds to activating outdoor gyms and senior solutions, our offerings are designed to enhance outdoor living for everyone.

Crafted from certified, naturally renewable Nordic pine and produced using 100% green electricity, our solutions reflect a commitment to quality and environmental responsibility. Choosing Nordic pine helps reduce your project’s carbon footprint.

Together, we can create spaces that inspire movement today and protect the future.

Link to Lappset website

Link to inspiration website

Call for Abstracts is now open for the IFLA 2025 World Congress in Nantes!

We encourage all interested participants to submit their abstracts in alignment with the Congress theme: "Guiding Landscapes".

Authors are invited to select one of the two main topics and the corresponding sub-topics that best describe their submission:

1. Guiding Cities

• Through what is alive (ecosystems, rainwater, soil, rivers)

• With society (art, design, consultation, uses)

2. Guiding Territories

• By changing the design of regional projects (energy landscapes, agroforestry, risks)

• With legislative and social advances in planning (planning law, nature & society, heritage landscapes)

For more details, visit our website: ifla2025.com/abstracts

The deadline to submit abstracts is 15th March 2025, at 23:59 CET.

FutureScape Global 2025 Exhibition in partnership with the International Federation of Landscape Architects IFLA

FutureScape Global, will is organizing one of the largest Landscape and urban development exhibition in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Leading firms including Shira Group, Citiscape, MEAC, SRACO, and Gibus have confirmed participation.

The FutureScape Global Awards 2025, featuring IFLA President Bruno Marques as judge, will celebrate excellence in Landscape Architecture during the exhibition on April 28-29, 2025. World-renowned firms including Martha Schwartz Projects, OneWorks-One Landscape, and Randle Siddeley will present transformative projects, including the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold.

The event's B2B matchmaking platform will connect global participants with Saudi Arabia's top 100 influential figures in urban development. The conference program will feature presentations on sustainable design practices, desert transformation initiatives, and smart city integration projects.

This partnership supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiatives for sustainable urban environments. The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge technology through interactive displays and virtual reality presentations, offering unprecedented networking opportunities in one of the world's most dynamic markets.

Register for free tickets

The registration for the 21st Annual International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH 2025) is live!

Join from November 17 to 21, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand, in partnership with our co-hosts, Wellington City Council and the University of Otago.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Cities, Resilient Futures: Weaving Climate Action, Equity, & Wellbeing from Asia Pacific to the World,” sets the stage for forging partnerships, driving action, and creating impactful solutions to build healthier and more inclusive urban environments. Learn more:  https://www.icuh2025.org/.

The deadline to submit abstracts to the AJLA has been extended to February 14, 2025

Landscaping in disadvantaged communities can bring numerous positive effects, improving both physical and mental well-being for residents. Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on expectation of positive outcomes no matter the circumstances. Green spaces, trees, and parks can enhance air quality, reduce urban heat, and create areas for play, relaxation, recreation, socialising and even food production. Access to well-maintained green areas encourages outdoor activities, which promotes healthier lifestyles and reduces stress. In addition, landscaping can improve the appearance of neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of pride and community cohesion among residents. Studies have also shown that green spaces can decrease crime rates by promoting natural surveillance and creating inviting, well-lit areas. Our next edition will feature designed projects across Africa where landscape architects have engaged in developing ‘landscapes of hope’.

More information about the call on the AJLA website here.