IFLA welcomes 2 new Member Associations
At our recent World Council delegates voted to accept 2 new Category A members of IFLA.
Applications from the Egyptian Society of Landscape Architects (ESLA) and the Saudi Society of Landscape Architects (SSLA) were approved and our new members given a warm welcome to the IFLA family. Their joining us means we now have 80 member associations representing more than 70,000 landscape architects worldwide.
IFLA President Bruno Marques said ‘“it is a great pleasure to welcome ESLA and SSLA to the IFLA family. We’re thrilled that our professional membership keeps growing to build a stronger profession and a more sustainable future.”
Learn a more about our new members below:
Egyptian Society of Landscape Architects (ESLA)
Our Story: The landscape architecture community, encompassing architects, agriculturalists, horticulturists, engineers, and environmentalists, has grappled with a myriad of perplexing issues related to landscape architecture. These complexities include defining the discipline, determining its scope, understanding its essence, establishing its recognition, framing its parameters, and executing its practices. Therefore, several years ago, a group of dedicated landscape enthusiasts came together to engage in profound discussions regarding the nature and practice of landscape architecture. Their endeavours sought to introduce exemplary landscape practices to the Arab world, with a specific focus on Egypt.
An essential milestone was the translation of the "New Landscape Architecture Declaration" from 2016 into various languages, including Arabic, and its dissemination among landscape education programs in Arabic-speaking regions.
Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a core group dedicated to promoting the values of landscape design in Egyptian education and practice initiated a series of public engagement efforts through social media platforms in 2020 and 2021. Through extensive interactions and productive dialogues, this core team established connections with LELA-Lebanon and initiated engagement with IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects). In pursuit of establishing a National Association, the core group worked diligently throughout 2022 on crafting foundational documents encompassing three critical aspects: a strategic plan for the association, the application for IFLA membership, and local registration under Egyptian law. With the 2023 IFLA Congress, the ESLA team collaborated closely with IFLA-Africa to refine and finalize the association's bylaws, aligning them with both Egyptian law and IFLA policies.
ESLA's founders represent a diverse group of landscape architects, spanning academia, industry practitioners, government officials, and landscape practice owners. They collectively cover various subdisciplines within landscape architecture, including landscape planning, design, contracting, national park landscapes, urbanism, and public space design.
ESLA has a multifaceted mission, which includes: (i) Ensuring the ethical practice of landscape architecture within Egypt and upholding the society's professional code of ethics; (ii) Promoting the landscape architecture profession at the local level and contributing to its advancement and leadership within Egypt; (iii) Advocating for the preservation and development of high-quality local landscape architecture projects in natural, rural, and urban settings, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the Egyptian population; (iv) Facilitating the exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences at both the educational and professional level between different parties in Egypt as well as between Egypt and the other National Associations in Africa and worldwide; (v) Providing continuous education courses for its members to enhance their skills and knowledge, while advancing the profession locally; and (vii) Playing a role in establishing accredited and specialized landscape architecture education programs in Egypt.
ESLA opens the door for all qualified members who fulfil its joining criteria, to submit an application to become a member and support the advocating and growing the recognition of the landscape architecture.
Saudi Society of Landscape Architecture (SSLA)
The Saudi Society of Landscape Architecture (SSLA) is a non-political, non-profit organization founded in 2021 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our mission is to advance the landscape architecture profession through scientific research, knowledge exchange, training, education, professional practice, awareness and community partnership, and effective communication. We strive to expand the knowledge base of landscape architecture through rigorous research and promote collaboration among professionals, academics, and students. Our comprehensive training programs and educational initiatives aim to enhance the skills of landscape architects and address complex design challenges. We advocate for the recognition of landscape architects' contributions and raise awareness about the importance of well-designed and sustainable landscapes. Through effective communication channels, we facilitate the exchange of ideas and information within the profession and with external stakeholders. The SSLA is dedicated to shaping a sustainable and beautiful future for communities in Saudi Arabia.
“The Saudi Society of Landscape Architecture (SSLA) is thrilled to have become a member of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA). As a national society, SSLA is fully committed to working towards the goals set by IFLA. Since 1976, Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of landscape architecture education, and we take great pride in our role in shaping the future of the profession in the Middle East. The Saudi Vision 2030 initiative presents exciting opportunities for landscape architects in various sectors, including tourism, housing, parks, culture, health, and sustainability. Our society is eager to bring the Kingdom's vision to life by creating sustainable environments that enhance our communities." - Dr. Amer Habibullah, President of SSLA