The New Landscape Declaration

On the eve of its 50th anniversary, the Landscape Architecture Foundation asked a diverse group of the world's leading landscape architects to reflect on the last half-century and present bold ideas for what the discipline should achieve in the future. Well beyond the public conception of the profession as "gardener" or "park designer," these landscape architects discussed their role in addressing weighty issues like climate change, urbanization, management of vital resources like water, and global inequities.

The New Landscape Declaration brings together their ideas and experiences in essays from thirty-three preeminent thinkers, including:

James Corner, designer of the High Line in New York City

Randy Hester, founder of the modern participatory design movement in landscape architecture

Kate Orff, researcher, innovator, and design activist

Martha Schwartz, acclaimed landscape architect and artist turned activist

Carl Steinitz, Geodesign pioneer

Richard Weller, prolific design researcher and author

Kongjian Yu, celebrated designer, dean, and author from the People's Republic of China

The New Landscape Declaration asserts the vital role of landscape architecture in solving the defining issues of our time. Relevant to designers across the globe, the ideas cross disciplinary boundaries and challenge current silos of thought and practice, underscoring the need to diversify, innovate, and create a bold culture of leadership, advocacy, and activism.