News

In a world that often feels more divided than united, I find myself turning to Nature, a constant reminder of connection, harmony, and hope. The fifth edition of LANDconnects captured this beautifully, bringing us together to celebrate 35 years of #ReconnectingPeopleWithNature. It’s a powerful message I’d like to reflect on in my latest newsletter.

The spirit of the season—back to school, back to structure—offers a perfect lens through which to reflect on what it means to shape a culture of care, not just for Nature, but for People. If we speak today of Leadership dei Doveri—the leadership of duties—it’s because we’ve learned that cultivating the future is not only about what we design and build, but how we empower others to continue that work.

These past weeks have been turbulent not only for Milan. News about ongoing judicial inquiries into urban planning and architecture has stirred debates and, inevitably, doubts. Yet, in moments like these, I believe it is important to step back and look at the broader picture: over the last two decades, Milan has shown the world how urban regeneration can breathe new life into a city—how green spaces, when thoughtfully planned, can transform not only skylines but also daily lives.

Summer has barely begun, yet across Europe and beyond, the signs of heat stress are already unmistakable. What used to be “a few hot days” has turned into weeks-long spells of extreme heat, threatening the health, comfort, and livability of our cities.

It is great to see how our mission of #ReconnectingPeopleWithNature is cultivating our community and spreading around the world in a capillary way. I am convinced that this underlines the urgency to firmly answer current challenges and convey our message through an increasingly interdisciplinary and international approach.

Over the past weeks, I’ve been reflecting deeply on care: care for places, for people, and for what comes after us. Perhaps it’s the resonance of spring, or the lasting impression of my recent journey to Japan with my wife and daughters: a rare blend of professional inspiration and personal reflection.

The new "megatrend" of environmentally conscious urban development and sustainability through landscape architecture is rapidly becoming more prominent in major global events like World Expos.

Learning from… Looking Beyond the Horizon

As we face escalating climate challenges across Europe, it is time to expand our perspective and look beyond our own borders. The Middle East, with its centuries-old expertise in surviving and thriving in harsh climates, provides valuable lessons for the future of our cities and landscapes.

This month, I would like to share insights from Davos and reflect on how we, as individuals and professionals, can harness confidence, courage, strength, and responsibility to build a more resilient, nature-positive future.

As we step into 2025, a year of reflection and celebration, I am reminded of the roots of our journey—both literally and figuratively. This year marks 35 years since the founding of LAND, a milestone that invites us to look back at how it all began and, more importantly, envision the future of #ReconnectingPeopleWithNature.

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street.” With this quote by William Blake, the English poet, artist, engraver, and visionary (1757-1827), Andreas Kipar introduces his December newsletter dealing with the mountain landscapes' vital role—not just as picturesque backdrops, maybe for the upcoming holiday season, but as engines of environmental and economic value. In an era where climate change impacts are increasingly apparent, especially in winter tourism, we must redefine these landscapes as nature-positive assets that generate ecological, social, and economic returns.

Andreas Kipar looks back on his first year with the World Economic Forum’s Task Force for Nature-Positive Cities. Transforming urban spaces to embrace Nature is challenging, but it is also essential as climate pressures increase.

As we embrace autumn, some ideas on how this season of transition mirrors the shifts we need in landscape architecture. Nature is always evolving, and so must we. It's time to move beyond passive protection and actively design with resilience in mind: Nature-Positive Landscapes.

The Halstenberg Prize as opportunity to reflect upon Andreas Kipar's journey between countries and cultures, busy in cultivating connections and landscapes.

As we are nearing the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics, it's essential to recognise how sports and green spaces intertwine to promote well-being. Mega-events like the Olympics can catalyse positive trends, encouraging people to move more and live healthier lifes.

A few weeks ago, the EU approved the European Nature Restoration Law (NRL). Can this law become the critical step forward for the nature-positive landscapes we need? We explore this pivotal question and share some developments in nature restoration and urban sustainability. For being positive, we always need a project looking forward.