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.

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MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY

1. Opus One rooftop project reframes urban density through rooftop landscape retrofits
Source: World Landscape Architecture (20 Feb 2026)

WLA featured Opus One in Shenyang, China, a 1,000m² rooftop renovation that converts a former equipment roof into two penthouse gardens. The article highlights adaptive reuse moves such as an elevated platform for drainage and soil depth, plus a climate-responsive planting strategy designed for Shenyang’s severe winters, including sheltered microclimates and modular construction logistics.

🔗 https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/opus-one-trop-terrains-open-space/

Primary topic: Landscape architecture + urban design

2. Singapore Makers Land masterplan proposes a resilient mixed-use waterfront district
Source: World Landscape Architecture (20 Feb 2026)

WLA also profiled the Singapore Makers Land: Kallang-Kolam Ayer Masterplan, which reimagines an industrial district along the Kallang River as a mixed-use waterside community. The piece emphasises a public realm and open space strategy built around resilience, inclusivity, and ecological responsibility, with a strong people-centred regeneration focus.

🔗 https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/singapore-makers-land-kallang-kolam-ayer-masterplan/

Primary topic: Urban design + landscape architecture + climate adaptation

3. Dubai urban design competition results spotlight climate-responsive streetscape systems
Source: ArchDaily (19 Feb 2026)

ArchDaily reported the results of the Buildner and Dubai RTA Dubai Urban Elements Challenge, a major competition with a 2,000,000 AED prize pool (about €500,000). Winning and highlighted proposals focused on modular urban furniture, shading, recycled materials, biodiversity-supporting planting, and climate-responsive elements tailored to different urban zones.

🔗 https://www.archdaily.com/1038755/buildner-and-dubais-rta-award-eu500k-for-climate-responsive-urban-design

Primary topic: Urban design + climate adaptation

4. ASLA climate and biodiversity roundup tracks fast-moving policy and resilience news
Source: American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) (19 Feb 2026)

ASLA’s February Climate & Biodiversity News roundup collates recent climate and biodiversity developments relevant to landscape architects, including legal action over the repeal of the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding. It is a useful practice-facing scan for members keeping tabs on policy shifts and their implications for resilience work.

🔗 https://www.asla.org/news-insights/dirt/climate-biodiversity-news-%28february-2026%29

Primary topic: Climate adaptation + policy

5. ICLEI backs adaptation planning for 62 European regions
Source: ICLEI (18 Feb 2026)

ICLEI announced that 62 vulnerable European regions, including five ICLEI members, have been selected through Pathways2Resilience to strengthen climate adaptation plans, covering 55 million residents. The article also notes the scale of investment needed for adaptation in Europe and reinforces the role of local and regional governments in delivering most adaptation measures.

🔗 https://iclei.org/news/62-regions-in-europe-including-5-iclei-members-to-develop-climate-adaptation-plans-for-55-million-residents/

Primary topic: Climate adaptation + policy

6. Manchester’s ‘Tiny Park’ concept shows how micro public realm projects can do heavy lifting
Source: World Landscape Architecture (18 Feb 2026)

WLA published a concept feature on Manchester’s Pigeon Triangle, a small public space tied to nearby pedestrianisation works and the Mayfield area. The project is framed as a compact but strategically important urban intervention, with an emphasis on access, arrival experience, and detailed public realm design in a constrained site.

🔗 https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/small-space-big-intent-the-intricate-design-of-manchesters-tiny-park/

Primary topic: Urban design + landscape architecture

7. ULI shares practical lessons for scaling green infrastructure for flood resilience
Source: Urban Land Magazine (Urban Land Institute) (17 Feb 2026)

ULI’s new piece from the 2025 Shaw Forum distils eight lessons on implementing green infrastructure for urban flood resilience, with a strong focus on funding, maintenance, and cross-sector collaboration. It includes grounded examples from Hoboken, Washington DC, and Brooklyn, and makes a clear case for treating green infrastructure as core urban systems rather than optional extras.

🔗 https://urbanland.uli.org/resilience-and-sustainability/next-generation-green-infrastructure-eight-lessons-for-urban-flood-resilience-from-the-2025-shaw-forum

Primary topic: Climate adaptation + urban design

Snapshot: key themes this week

• Resilience is being embedded in urban design systems, not just standalone projects, with strong examples from Dubai’s urban elements competition and Singapore’s masterplanning work.
• Green infrastructure and adaptation delivery are moving into implementation mode, with practical finance and governance lessons from ULI and large-scale regional planning support through ICLEI.
• Landscape architecture continues to lead in adaptive reuse and public realm quality, from rooftop retrofits in China to micro-park interventions in Manchester.
• Policy watch remains important for practice, with ASLA’s climate and biodiversity roundup signalling continued volatility in the policy environment and the need for ongoing advocacy.