Calling all change-makers who are passionate about sustainability, challenging the status quo, pursuing big ideas, and playing their unique role! The Landscape Architecture Foundation is convening a diverse group of preeminent thinkers and influencers from around the world to set the course for landscape architecture to make its vital contribution in the 21st century.
The Summit on Landscape Architecture and the Future will critically reflect on what landscape architecture has achieved over the last 50 years and present bold ideas for what it should achieve in the future. Over the course of two days, 65 established and emerging leaders will present their “Declarations” and engage in lively debate about realizing landscape architecture’s potential and effect real world change.
The Summit marks 50 years since Ian McHarg and other leading landscape architects composed LAF’s seminal Declaration of Concern, which decried the burgeoning environmental crisis and heralded landscape architecture as critical to help solve it. Building on this legacy, this one-time historic gathering will culminate in a redrafting of the original 1966 Declaration of Concern and a landmark publication of the ideas presented.
On the evening of June 10, LAF will mark its 50th anniversary with a celebration at the National Constitution Center overlooking Independence Mall. Along with recognizing the recipients of the first LAF Medal and LAF Founders’ Awards, LAF will launch two major initiatives to support the future of landscape architecture.
The Summit is organized into two days. Day 1 is a series of “Declarations” from prominent speakers and delegates who will critically reflect on what landscape architecture has achieved over the last 50 years and present their ideas for what it should achieve in the future. Day 2 consists of thematic panels that will reflect on the Day 1 presentations and engage in lively and constructive debate about how to realize landscape architecture’s potential and effect real world change.
Summit – Day 1
University of Pennsylvania, Irvine Auditorium
7:30am On-site registration opens
8:30am Opening remarks
8:45am Keynote: Elizabeth K. Meyer, FASLA
9:25am – 5:30pm Declarations: a series of 10-minute presentations of leadership and ideas for how landscape architecture can make its vital contribution in response to the challenges of our time and the next 50 years
*There will be an hour lunch as well as two coffee breaks with food and drinks provided
LAF’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dinner
7 – 10pm National Constitution Center
Join the Landscape Architecture Foundation in celebrating its 50th anniversary at this lively dinner and reception. The program will reflect on this historic moment, recognize the winners of the first LAF Medal and Founders’ Awards, and launch two new major initiatives to support the future of landscape architecture.
Summit – Day 2
University of Pennsylvania, Irvine Auditorium
9am Opening remarks
9:10am – 5:40pm Panel discussions with themes covering:
Aesthetics
Ecology
Community
Scholarship
Private Practice
Public Practice
New Practices
Capacity Organizations
Words of Wisdom
Rising Leaders
*There will be an hour lunch as well as two coffee breaks with food and drinks provided
5:40pm Closing remarks
University of Pennsylvania, Myerson Hall
6:00pm Summit close and champagne toast
For a complete schedule, please visit lafoundation.org/summit.
