This is your weekly international snapshot of what’s happening across landscape architecture, climate adaptation and urban design. Drawing on credible global sources, it highlights key projects, policy developments and research shaping how cities and landscapes are being planned, designed and adapted in response to climate and community needs.

This summary is powered by AI to support timely scanning of international sources. While it aims to surface relevant and high-quality material, it may not capture every news item, project or activity across the sector.

Got feedback? Let us know: events@nzila.co.nz

MONDAY 19 JANUARY

1. Landscape architecture trends for 2026
Source: World Landscape Architect, published last week

This forecast identifies key directions for landscape architecture in 2026, including a stronger focus on performance-based landscapes, adaptive and resilient design, and translational work that helps governments and NGOs implement nature-based solutions in climate adaptation planning. It also signals that urban density changes and real estate pressures will make resilience thinking increasingly central to practice.

🔗 https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/what-are-the-landscape-architecture-trends-for-2026/

Primary topic: Landscape architecture / climate adaptation

2. How cities are reclaiming infrastructure for nature
Source: World Architecture & Design, published 25 Dec 2025

This article explores how cities worldwide are transforming traditional grey infrastructure into green, multifunctional public space that supports biodiversity, public health and climate resilience. It highlights examples where old roads, bridges and culverts are repurposed into landscape systems that absorb stormwater, provide shade and create vibrant urban environments.

🔗 https://worldarchidesign.com/news/from-grey-to-green-how-cities-are-reclaiming-infrastructure-for-nature/517

Primary topic: Urban design / landscape architecture

3. Landscape architects and climate adaptation measurement
Source: ASLA The Dirt, early December 2025

Landscape architects are advocating for stronger measurement frameworks for climate adaptation outcomes, emphasising nature-based solutions to address stormwater, extreme heat and coastal risk. The piece underscores how performance metrics can help demonstrate design impact and support funding and policy decisions.

🔗 https://www.asla.org/news-insights/dirt/landscape-architects-can-scale-up-global-efforts-to-measure-progress-on-climate-adaptation

Primary topic: Climate adaptation

4. Most read landscape projects of 2025
Source: Landezine (2025 year-in-review), published ~3 weeks ago

This recap showcases top landscape projects such as Grønningen-Bispeparken in Copenhagen, which re-imagines urban green space with stormwater retention and climate adaptation as core design drivers. These exemplars reinforce how multifunctional public landscapes are being used internationally to manage climate challenges while enhancing public amenity.

🔗 https://landezine.com/2025-year-in-review-most-read-projects-on-landezine/

Primary topic: Landscape architecture / climate adaptation

Snapshot: What this week shows

Key themes across the field:

• Resilient design and performance outcomes are increasingly cited as practical priorities for landscapes and cities.
• Grey-to-green urban transformation is gaining visibility as a real global practice trend, linked to climate resilience and public health.
• Professional bodies are pushing for better climate adaptation measurement to support policy and investment.