Riga hosts European landscape architecture conference and IFLA Europe assembly
From September 2 to 6, Riga hosted the IFLA Europe conference "Landscape in Transition" and its General Assembly, gathering around 270 landscape architecture professionals from 35 countries. The event was organized by the Latvian Association of Landscape Architects together with IFLA Europe.
Between September 2 and 6, Riga hosted a major European landscape architecture event — the IFLA Europe conference "Landscape in Transition" and the IFLA Europe General Assembly. Around 270 professionals, researchers and students from 35 countries took part. The event was organized by the Latvian Association of Landscape Architects (LAAA) together with IFLA Europe, with support from the Riga municipality and other partners.
Tours across Latvia and Riga
On the first day, participants went on excursions to Salaspils, Aizkraukle, Koknese, Rundāle Palace, Kuldīga, and the western coastline from Roja to Kaltene, exploring Latvia's landscapes — historic sites, energy infrastructure, river valleys and coastal areas. The Aizkraukle and Koknese route included visits to the Pļaviņas hydroelectric plant and the Līgatne memorial garden Likteņdārzs. The day ended with a tour of Riga, including the Brothers' Cemetery, Victory Park and the Žolitūde tragedy memorial site.
Discussion themes
The conference program covered topics ranging from soil and ecological processes to urban development, climate resilience and health. Speakers included Kristoffer Holm Pedersen, Marina Cervera Alonso de Medina, Henrik Schultz, Éric Alonzo, Tim Waterman and Dr Saira Ali. LAAA board chair Indra Purs said the conference demonstrated both the professional diversity of landscape architecture and its responsibility in shaping the future.
General Assembly
On September 5 and 6, Riga also hosted the IFLA Europe General Assembly, which addressed the organization's identity, cooperation between member states, education and finances. Winners of the IFLA Europe Youth Competition were presented, and the traveling exhibition "Reconnecting Landscape" was unveiled. The IFLA Europe Award 2026 was presented to Landezine. Translation from Ukrainian into English was provided by the company Tilde, allowing Ukrainian representatives to fully take part in the discussions.
