IFLA Standing Committee on Education and Academic Affairs (EAA)

The IFLA Standing Committee on Education and Academic Affairs (EAA) aims to advance education in landscape architecture globally, including within countries where the discipline is already acknowledged and where this is yet to be developed or institutionalized. In particular, the committee strives to promote and maintain high academic standards in the field to facilitate cooperation and mutual recognition across IFLA member countries. Furthermore, the committee encourages the development of landscape architecture programmes as well as promotes studies, research, and exchange of knowledge between IFLA regions and members.

EAA Standing Committee Members

Alessandro martinelli

IFLA EAA COMMITTEE CHAIR

Alessandro Martinelli, Ph.D., was previously involved in research projects and didactic activities at the Accademia di architettura in Mendrisio and the International Institute of Architecture in Lugano Vico Morcote, the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam, the Barcelona Institute of Architecture, the Canadian Centre of Architecture in Montreal, the Archivio Cattaneo in Cernobbio, the Shih Chien University and the Huafan University in Taipei, and he is currently Associate professor at the Department of Landscape architecture, the Chinese Culture University, Taipei. He is also the editorial director of ListLab Publisher, Chair of the IFLA - International Federation of Landscape Architects EAA - Education & Academic Affairs Committee, and immediate past chair of the IFLA Asia Pacific Region EAA Committee. Finally, he works with BIAS Architects & Associates on design and curating projects concerning the public space today..

cecily Murage

IFLA Africa EAA Committee Chair

Cecily Wanjiku Murage is a Kenya-based Landscape Architect and member of the IFLA regional panel. A Corporate Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya, she blends professional consultancy at DesignPlus Consulting KE with her role as a lecturer at Maasai Mara University. Cecily is currently a PhD researcher specializing in Biophilic Urbanism, focusing on the intersection of ecological health and urban design.

Maria Bellalta

IFLA Americas EAA Committee Chair

Maria Bellalta, is Professor and Head of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, as well as Director of Global Engagement at the College of Design, North Carolina State University. She also teaches advanced interdisciplinary studios in Colombia and Mexico City, focused on the urbanization of the Global South and its socio-environmental impacts. Her publications redefine design frameworks to promote social and environmental equity. Also, Maria advocates for landscape architecture education and practice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Originally from Chile, she holds an MLA from Harvard University GSD and studies in Environmental Psychology from the University of Notre Dame.

wen-shan huang

IFLA Asia-pacific EAA Committee Chair

Wen-Shan Huang, Ph.D., is Chair and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a PhD from Tsinghua University. Her research focuses on cultural landscapes, religious landscape regeneration, and integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into landscape architecture education. She actively advances international academic exchanges, serving as a tutor and host for several programs and educational initiatives. She received Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Outstanding Tutor Award for excellence in mentorship, holistic education, and sustainability-driven teaching..

Madara Markova

IFLA Europe EAA Committee Chair

Madara Markova, Ph.D., is a landscape architect, researcher, and educator based in Latvia. She is an Associate Professor at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, where her work focuses on cultural ecosystem services, participatory GIS, urban meadows, and nature-based solutions in spatial planning. She is a member of the IFLA Europe School Recognition Panel, actively contributing to the development of landscape architecture education and international academic collaboration across Europe.

AmER Habibullah

IFLA Middle-East EAA Committee Chair

Amer Habibullah, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of History and Theory of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at King Abdulaziz University, where he directs the graduate program in Landscape Architecture and leads the Planning and Partnerships Committee. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research and professional work focus on cultural heritage landscapes, the identity and meaning of the built environment, architectural and landscape history, urban design, and social sustainability. With over a decade of professional experience, he has received several awards, including first prize in the 2024 Prince Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf City Humanization Award. He currently serves as Vice President of IFLA Middle East and President of the Saudi Society of Landscape Architecture, where he advances professional practice, education, and regional collaboration in the field.