About the conference
The conference focused on water as a key element of life and the foundation for responsible design of urban and landscape spaces. Water not only satisfies basic human needs but also determines environmental quality, biodiversity and the quality of life in cities. In the face of climate change, urbanisation and environmental degradation, the role of water in landscape architecture is becoming increasingly important.
The Contemporary Landscape Architecture 2025 conference was a meeting point between theory and practice. During the event, experts from Poland and abroad – landscape architects, urban planners, engineers and hydrologists – presented the latest research, case studies and technical solutions for blue-green infrastructure. The programme included three main themes: the role of water in urban regeneration and education, shaping relationships with water at various spatial scales, and technical aspects of water management in cities of the future.
We want to look at water not only as a resource, but as an element that co-creates cities – their identity, structure and operation. Water has been and will continue to be the architect of the urban landscape. We must learn to understand it better and manage it more wisely
– underlined the organisers.
The conference was also a space for exchanging experiences and establishing cooperation. On the first day, the event participants participated in a study tour and an evening team-building dinner, while the second day featured lectures and panel discussions organised at the University of Lodz Training and Conference Centre.
This year’s speakers included: Joanna Rayss – President of Moderna Ecologic, Prof. Tomasz Jurczak (Department of UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz), Sebastian Szklarek (European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology, Polish Academy of Sciences), Jakub Smykowski (Aquanet Retention), Prof. Iwona Wagner (Department of UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz), Agnieszka Ryzza-Woźniak (Tajemniczy Ogród), Sylwia Molewska (Biznes dla Klimatu).
The conference was organised by the Association of Landscape Architecture (SAK) and co-organised by the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz. The Department of UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology (one of 12 UNESCO Chairs in Poland and the only one focusing on water and implementing the UNESCO-IHP programme) was also involved in the conference.
Photos and edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
