This series of activities aims to enhance landscape education and connect it with international standards, and to encourage countries to develop their own characteristics of landscape education. The geographical and cultural diversity of the Asia-Pacific region makes it important to focus on the development of national competitiveness, geographic self-identity and competitiveness. In the coming year, Talk and Share will invite a wide range of scholars to share different topics in order to contribute to the development of landscape design in the Asia Pacific region.
Look out for upcoming Talk & Share sessions throughout the year and watch recordings from past sessions below!
2024 IFLA Talk & Share
IFLA APR October 2024: The Status of Landscape Architecture Profession in the IFLA Asia Pacific Region Part 2
Date: October 26, 2024, 18:00 - 20:00 (GMT+8)
Presented by - Dr. Nor Atiah Binti Ismail, L. Ar. Debbie Tikao, and Hon. Cecilia Herras- Tence
In our previous IFLA APR Talk and Share, we explored the status of landscape architecture in Hong Kong and Australia. Landscape Architect Chris Tidswell outlined the professional status in Australia and its regulation by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA). Landscape Architect Paul Chan, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, discussed the current challenges and state of the profession in Hong Kong. Despite facing limited recognition from other sectors and advocacy efforts, both regions are working to boost the visibility and impact of landscape architects.
Continuing the session on the status of the landscape architecture profession in the IFLA Asia Pacific Region, we now shift our focus to Malaysia, New Zealand and the Phillipines. The IFLA Asia Pacific Region, a subset of the International Federation of Landscape Architects with 14 member associations, aims to advance education and professional development in landscape architecture. The upcoming event will explore how the profession is recognized across the region, address challenges, and highlight recent advancements, providing insights to enhance the field further.
This session aims to:
- Provide insights on the status of Landscape Architecture in the respective countries within the Asia Pacific Region.
- Discuss the current issues and challenges faced in the recognition of the Landscape Architecture profession with regard to their legal recognition.
- Recognize the significant advancements that the profession has achieved, highlighting the progress made in establishing standards and gaining recognition.
IFLA APR August 2024: The Status of Landscape Architecture Profession in the IFLA Asia Pacific Region
Date: August 23, 2024, 18:00 - 20:00 (GMT+8)
Presented by Chris Tidswell, Paul Chan and Pamela Sarunya Pagana
The IFLA Asia Pacific Region is a sub-group of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) organization, currently comprising 14 member associations. One of its primary objectives is to advance professional education and foster the continuing professional development of practitioners. In line with this goal, the upcoming event will examine the varying degrees of recognition for the profession across the region, identifying key challenges and current advancements. The discussion will facilitate a comprehensive exploration of the recognition and status of the Landscape Architecture professional practice in the Asia Pacific, aiming to provide valuable insights and promote further development within the field.
This session aims to:
- Provide insights on the status of Landscape Architecture in the respective countries within the Asia Pacific Region.
- Discuss the current issues and challenges faced in the recognition of Landscape Architecture profession in regards to their legal recognition.
- Recognize the significant advancements that the profession has achieved, highlighting the progress made in establishing standards and gaining recognition.
IFLA APR June 2024: Landscapes in Motion
Exploring Cycling Infrastructures and Experiences
Date: June 20, 2024, 19:00 - 20:00 (GMT+8)
Presented by Jobim Bimbao, PhD, LArch. Rosanne Aldeguer and Atty. Twylah Rubin (Lakbike) and LArch. Sophia Silvestre
Cycling has become an essential component of landscape design as people looked for alternative modes of transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift highlighted cycling as a viable option, which offers various health benefits and promotes healthier lifestyles. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes numerous benefits of cycling, which includes improved public health and a positive impact on the environment.
Integrating cycling infrastructure into landscape architecture will help create safer and more inclusive spaces for cyclists.
To achieve and promote sustainable transportation and enhance the quality of life in our communities, IFLA APR is spotlighting Cycling Experiences and Cycling Infrastructure this month, as we will hear from notable bike enthusiasts who are also landscape architects, exploring the importance of incorporating inclusive and well-designed cycling facilities in landscape architecture.
This session aims to:
- Highlight landscape architects who are actively engaged in cycling activities and partake in the development of cycling infrastructure;
- Share experiences and lessons learned from cycling infrastructure projects;
- Constructively discuss current challenges and possible solutions in cycling infrastructure; and
- Identify key strategies to enhance the public biking experience from a cyclist's perspective.
IFLA APR April 2024: Towards Sustainable Futures
Bridging Circular Cities and Landscape Architecture
Date: April 25, 2024, 19:00 - 20:00 (GMT+8)
Presented by L. Arch. Alexa Brillantes Bello, Dr. Julie Marin and L.Arch Damian Tang
Landscape Architects are instrumental in implementing circularity concepts, using their expertise and technical skills to "bridge" the natural and cultural environment. In a circular economy, markets incentivize product reuse over disposal, minimizing the demand for extracting new resources. This strategy optimizes natural resource usage, fuels innovation, increases employment, cultivates new capabilities, and promotes environmental preservation.
To achieve sustainable urban development and enhance livability, it includes integrating Circular Economy principles into resource management. This month, IFLA APR will spotlight Circular Cities and the Circular Economy, emphasizing their significance to Landscape Architecture.
This session aims to:
- Introduce the concept of Circular Cities and the Circular Economy model.
- Showcase innovative projects that exemplify the Circular City concept, analyzing the underlying principles of the Circular Economy model.
- Examine how landscape architects incorporate Circular Economy principles into their projects, highlighting effective implementation strategies and real-world applications.
IFLA APR March 2024: Navigating Ethics in Landscape Architecture and Tourism
Date: March 21, 2024, 19:00 - 20:30 (GMT+8)
Presented by Toby McCarney, Prof. Hitesh Mehta and Prof. Nappy L. Navarra
By examining Landscape Architecture's role in the tourism sector, it underscores its significance in shaping ethical tourism experiences. This exploration encompasses the identification of both ethical and unethical practices prevalent among design professionals, along with the challenges inherent in upholding ethical design principles. These endeavors promote a comprehensive understanding and dedication to achieving ethically sound landscapes. While sustainability remains fundamental to Landscape Architecture, it remains susceptible to practices such as "greenwashing."
This session aims to:
- Provide insight on how landscape architects play a huge role in creating spaces for tourism
- Acknowledge the overlying problem of the term sustainability and the weight of its meaning translated to the profession
- Touch the concepts such as "greenwashing", "eco" tourism, sustainable tourism in the lens of a Landscape Architect
IFLA APR Feb 2024: A Collaborative Vision
The Landscape Architect’s Role in Elevating Landscape Developments
Date: February 22, 2024, 19:00 - 20:30 (GMT+8)
Presented by Sandino Guinto and Shashank Mittal
This session, titled "A Collaborative Vision: The Landscape Architect's Role in Elevating Landscape Developments," will shed light on community engagement and the multidisciplinary approaches by Landscape Architects to create sustainable landscape developments. Successful planning and design of public spaces hinges on active community involvement and the seamless collaboration between landscape architects and a diverse array of professionals.
2023 IFLA Talk & Share
IFLA APR Talk & Share 5
Climate Change & Transformation of Education in Landscape
How do we teach in a time of Climate Change?
Date: January 17, 2023, 19:00 - 20:05 (GMT+8)
Presented by Elisa Cattaneo, Dr Rosalea Monacello, Claire Martin and Monica Kuo
"Climate Change & Transformation of Education in Landscape" sheds light on approaches to consider for teaching in a time of climate change. The sharing by Elisa Cattaneo will talk about the aestheticization of landscape data-scapes with regard to climate change, and shortcomings of landscape-related education in Europe. Dr Rosalea Monacello will share from her recent book Designing Landscape Architectural Education, with attention to climate change, and shortcomings of landscape-related education in US-Australia. Claire Martin, our IFLA APR Climate Change Working Group Chair, will share advocacy and initiatives from the IFLA World and Asia Pacific Region Climate Change Working Groups and the opportunity of landscape architectural education to deliver climate mitigation and adaption design impact. To wrap up the session, Monica Kuo, our IFLA APR President will end with a Q&A and summary of the sharing.
IFLA APR Talk & Share 4
Potential of design science in the new century as climate change and large-scale disasters become the norm
Date: November 30, 2022, 19:00 - 20:20 (GMT+8)
Presented by Dr Misato Uehara and Monica Kuo
The possibilities of theories that integrate science and landscape design, as well as specific examples of regional planning and research will be shared. In the 40-minute talk, Mr. Uehara will explore the following themes, The Tohoku Great Earthquake and global catastrophes; Research "Design science and natural disasters"; Planning "Ecological planning and compound disasters"; Sharing the experience in Japan with the world, hoping to bring Japan's experience under the spotlight for vibrant discussion.
Watch the session recording!
IFLA APR Talk & Share 3
To lead as lived - Empowering our role in professional association
Date: July 29, 2022, 19:00 - 20:35 (GMT+8)
Presented by Damian Tang, Ricardo Riveros, Graham Young, Dr. Sridevi Rao and Monica Kuo
With more than 18 years of voluntary services in the professional organisations and design industry, grassroots and marginalised communities, both local and international, Mr Damian Tang has gained tremendous breadth and depth of experiences on what it means to serve in different context of communities, and to lead as lived.
In this July edition of IFLA APR Talk and Share, Damian will share his insights in leading a professional organisation and what it means to serve as a volunteer with very little time to spare. He will distill his years of experience into applicable knowledge and easily comprehensible trends that can prepare you and your organisation for future challenges.
For the panel discussion, we have also invited:
- Ricardo Riveros, President of IFLA Americas Region
- Graham Young, President of IFLA Africa Region
- Dr. Sridevi Rao, President of Indian Society of Landscape Architects
Who should attend
- Anyone who is the in the position to lead an association, organisation, committee, working group or a small team
- Volunteers who are part of a community including student volunteers who aspire to excel in both their full time work/job and any voluntary services they chose.
IFLA APR Talk & Share 2
Landscape Architecture in Hong Kong
Date: May 25, 2022, 18:30 - 20:00 (GMT+8)
Presented by Iris Hoi, Lenren Lee and Monica Kuo.
Hong Kong has been inhabited for over 30,000 years, since before the Qin dynasty in 221BC. It has experienced many upheavals but the most pronounce recent history would have to be the handover of sovereignty by the British Government to China and the formation of a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997. It is the only city in the world where it swears allegiance to China and the Chinese Communist Party yet has its own rule of law based on the western Common Law. Together with Macau, it is one of two places where One Country Two Systems is being implemented.
Hong Kong's history has influenced its city development and nature protection. Only 25% of Hong Kong is built upon, and nearly 40% of Hong Kong is completely natural - country parks – and protected by Ordinance. There are 263 islands and together with the Kowloon peninsula, they form a coast line that is 1,178 km long.
There is much for a landscape architect living in Hong Kong to be proud of. In this session, Iris Hoi, President of HKILA, will explore the history of urbanisation in Hong Kong, its challenges due to climate change, and other outlooks to the future. Lenren Lee, Principal and Regional Director of Masterplanning, Asia, AECOM will join us as another panelist for a more lively discussion.
IFLA APR Talk & Share 1
Accreditation of Landscape Programs: IFLA APR
Date: March 25, 2022, 17:00 - 18:30 (GMT+8)
Presented by Monica Kuo and Mike Barthelmeh.
The first session of this series will feature Mike Barthelmeh, who was the chair of IFLA APR EAA, and Monica Kuo, IFLA APR President, sharing on the planning of the certification program.