Lost Landscapes: Navigating Transformation Through Landscape Architecture

Introduction:

From October 12th to 15th in Naples, Italy, LANDS Design proudly sponsors the IFLA Europe General Assembly, building upon our commitment to this important event from the previous year. Together, we delve into the theme of “Lost Landscapes” and explore how landscape architecture, our passion and expertise, plays a pivotal role in navigating these changes while preserving the essence of our surroundings.

The Identity of Landscapes:

Landscapes are in a constant state of flux, shaped by various forces and factors. However, sometimes, these transformations occur in a way that erases their distinctive features, leaving them unrecognizable. Philosopher Venturi Ferriolo’s question, “Have we lost our landscapes?” encourages us to contemplate the loss of local specificities and fading identities in the wake of such transformations. Identity in landscapes is not singular; it is a complex interplay of multiple identities linked to social perceptions. What we perceive as the identity of a landscape often results from a process of ‘reverse filiation,’ where the present shapes the past. This dynamic relationship challenges us to redefine our connection with evolving landscapes.

Landscape as a Creative Nexus:

Landscape serves as a bridge between memory and imagination, nurturing a design process that draws from an “operating memory” rather than dwelling on nostalgia for what has been lost. This perspective emphasizes the performative nature of landscape architecture, moving beyond lamentations about the past.

The Role of Landscape Architects:

Landscape architecture becomes a game-changer in our evolving world. Landscape architects hold the responsibility of truth, bringing awareness to every facet of the project, including its form, social impact, and environmental implications. Their field of action encompasses everyday landscapes, the places where communities reside, work, and move. These landscapes often bear the brunt of human-induced transformations and emerging environmental challenges.

Conference thematic areas

The “Lost Landscapes” conference seeks to foster discussions among landscape architects, researchers, and practitioners. It aims to explore the capabilities of landscape architecture within three thematic areas while also considering landscapes without specific geographical or typological connotations.

1. Inhabited Landscapes:

Inhabiting a landscape involves participating in the exchanges that make it dynamic. The ambiguity between urban and rural, city and countryside, defines contemporary landscapes. These evolving contexts often become biodiversity reserves and can reshape our perception of open spaces within cities. Integrated strategies for preservation, management, and innovation can revitalize and regenerate these landscapes.

2. Landscapes of Production:

Landscape architects must design productive landscapes that are resilient and provide various ecosystem services. This task involves collaborating with local communities to avoid depopulation and desertification caused by monofunctional landscapes. Innovations should enrich these landscapes, not replace them.

3. Landscapes of Crossing:

Landscape networks, whether ecological, infrastructural, or cultural, define our surroundings. These networks connect places of life, creating new ways to experience landscapes. Design projects that intersect and traverse landscapes weave a narrative that connects past and present, highlighting the centrality of landscape design in constructing contemporary stories.

Conclusion:

The concept of “Lost Landscapes” challenges us to rethink our relationship with evolving landscapes. As sponsors of this event, in collaboration with IFLA Europe, we are excited to take part in these critical discussions and envision a future where landscapes are not lost but rediscovered and revitalized. Join us from October 12th to 15th in Naples, Italy, for a transformative exploration of landscape architecture’s role in shaping our world. Stay tuned for more details about the program and practicalities of this exciting event. For more information visit IFLA Europe official website.