UN-Habitat and International Federation of Landscape Architects Join Forces to Promote Sustainable Urban Development
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable urban development through landscape architecture. The signing ceremony took place at the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt.
The MoU outlines a framework for collaboration between the two organizations in five key areas:
Capacity development for professionals, particularly landscape architects, to enhance their skills and capabilities in creating resilient cities.
· Research and knowledge exchange to share innovative ideas and best practices in urban planning and landscape architecture.
· Policy advocacy to integrate landscape architecture principles into urban planning, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda, and the Paris Agreement.
· Pilot projects to demonstrate the transformative power of landscape architecture in addressing urban challenges.
· Events and publications to raise awareness about the essential role of landscape architecture in building sustainable and resilient urban spaces.
“This partnership recognises the vital role we play in creating sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments,” said Dr Bruno Marques, IFLA President. “Our expertise as landscape architects extends far beyond aesthetics. We are at the forefront of addressing critical challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Through innovative design and planning, we transform spaces into thriving ecosystems that promote human well-being and environmental health.”
The MoU signing marks a significant step forward in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing urban communities worldwide. As cities grow faster than the infrastructure and natural systems needed to sustain them, there is an urgent need to create spaces that are not only resilient and sustainable but also inclusive and healthy.
The partnership between UN-Habitat and IFLA is a call to action for landscape architects to seize this opportunity to elevate their profession and demonstrate its crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By working together, the two organizations are poised to make significant strides towards creating sustainable, resilient, and beautiful landscapes for future generations.
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