Transitions - Landscapes Under Processes of Change

This year's final project reflects the complexity and challenges that characterized this academic year. We chose to define the theme in a fairly open manner to allow students to grapple with the variety of issues that concern them. The issues that emerged prominently this year, in addition to the "usual" issues of the climate crisis, population density, and various spatial matters, are themes of healing, rehabilitation, population displacement, and the question of identity and belonging.

We asked: how do we as landscape architects confront these problems? What tools can landscape architecture offer to create a new vision and lead change? How do we preserve and promote the values important to us in the environmental, landscape, and social domains, even in times of emergency?

Each student chose an issue and a place/space that represents one or more conflicts in the urban, rural, agricultural, or open landscape. An analysis of the chosen space's physical, ecological, climatic, environmental, and social/human reality was conducted. The manifestation of the issue and the processes occurring in a "business as usual" scenario were investigated, and a vision was proposed to serve as a lever for change. A strategic plan was prepared for the chosen space, and ideas for realizing the vision and creating change were further developed. This was done using our integrative approach as landscape architects, stemming from an aspiration to examine the boundaries of the discipline, the interfaces with other disciplines, and to address this year's complex reality.