2021 IFLA Europe Resolution 'Everyday Landscapes'.

The establishment of IFLA Europe Resolutions was initiated at the 2014 IFLA Europe General assembly in Oslo with the objective to reinforce our General Assembly where all Delegates give their view on the current General Assembly topic. It is a joint effort of all IFLA Europe Delegates and can be used as a powerful tool to help in promoting landscape architecture profession and its recognition.

IFLA Europe Resolution is one of our key documents which reflects our mission and vision and sets objectives for our future strategy and action.

2021 IFLA Europe Resolution 'Everyday Landscapes' will be sent to all important stakeholders - European Union, Council of Europe, ICOMOS, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, WWF, FAO, UNEP, IUCN, UIA and other important like-minded organisations.

EVERYDAY LANDSCAPES

Resolution on Landscape HERE and NOW
Granada, Spain, October 2021

The time is now for landscape architects to further promote healthy physical and social environment focusing on everyday landscapes. Healthy landscapes are fundamental for social development. Management of everyday landscapes fosters better economy, climate resilience and health benefits based on natural resources.

The undersigned, as representatives of the 34 National Associations of the European Region of the International Federation of Landscape architects, having considered the Resolution on Landscape HERE and NOW at our General Assembly in Granada, Spain in October 2021 issue the following statement:

WE BELIEVE IN

Everyday landscapes - Considering quality of life as a measure of success. Designing by and for the people these landscapes promote greater equity, social diversity and interaction, protecting local cultural values, improving biodiversity, bringing nature closer to population, teaching children to take care of their environment to develop and maintain knowledge for generations.

Resilient landscapes - Knowing the high impact of adaptation to climate change. The regeneration, adaptative restoration and development of rural, urban, and natural landscapes protect and improve the resilience and mitigation value of ecosystems. Using nature-based solutions in urban and rural environments creates more effective, enduring and efficient resilience.

Healthy landscapes – Observing the need for locally accessible places highlighted by the pandemic. Development of green/blue corridors linking people and nature, encouraging physical activities, reducing ambient air temperatures, combating pollution, improving air quality, controlling run-off and drainage, whilst improving biodiversity, at local and neighbourhood scales, is key to achieving long term multiple outcomes. This applies especially to deprived communities.

Enduring landscapes – Considering landscape architecture projects from a long-term perspective promote the generation of self-sustaining ecosystems. This relies on a strong commitment to sustainability, and the recognition that nature-based solutions must be used to meet human needs.

WE URGE

That the Council of Europe, the European Union, and individual European States promote the values of landscapes (listed above and supported by the landscape architecture profession) in their decision-making processes to develop a holistic vision regarding cultural, social, political, environmental, and economic balance beyond political borders. We believe that this can be achieved by:

Placing climate adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity policies at the forefront of the building industry’s agenda rather than avoiding or delaying important decisions.

Improving social policies for everyday landscapes involving the participation of local people who live in them.

Facilitating the study, understanding, and experience of landscape in the early stages of education particularly in primary schools with participatory programmes to sensibilise and generate a sense of belonging.

Reviewing and supporting both traditional and innovative landscape uses, increasing employment opportunities as well as helping to preserve historic landscapes, their health and that of their people.

Promoting healthy food by planning, designing and managing sustainably agricultural, forest and grazing landscapes.

Motivating the use of regional and local resources by improving economic circularity reducing transport needs through local production.

Advocating for social and environmental responsibility at all levels, especially with those agents and corporations, governmental and non-governmental bodies who have the greatest capacity and potential for change.

Evaluating, the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss and the effects on economy, urgent decisions must be taken to ensure the involvement of society in small towns, villages and in the countryside, recovering cultural values to pass on to future generations.

Encouraging the efforts of local administrations to protect, manage and plan landscapes, concentrating on local projects with public participation, to improve the quality of life, public health and well-being.

Mobilising resources to effect social change, to encourage people to take more responsibility for their environment. Encouraging enjoyment of the landscape and involvement with landscape development and management by connecting everyday life and culture.

Developing international exchange programs on, and in the landscape, encouraging cooperation between landscape architects and experts from diverse backgrounds and different countries, exchanging information through new technologies and social media.

Following other international and European texts on the matter such as:

• The European Climate Law (2020)
• The EU Green Deal (2019)
• Farm to Fork Strategy (2019)
• UN Report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (2018)
• European Heritage Strategy for the 21^st century – Strategy 21 (2017)
• 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015)
• Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Paris, 2015)
• European Union framework for climate and energy 2020 – 2030 (EU 2014)
• Environmental action programme 2020 (European Union, 2013)
• Convention on the Promotion and Diversity of Cultural Expressions (UNESCO, 2005)
• Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003)
• European Climate Change Programme (EU ECCP, 2000)
• The European Landscape Convention (CoE, Florence, 2000)
• Århus Convention (UN Economic Commission for Europe, 1998)
• The Action Plan on Cultural Policies for Development (UNESCO, Stockholm, 1998)
• UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992)
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 1992)
• The Recommendation on participation by the people at large in cultural life and their contribution to it (UNESCO, Nairobi, 1976)
• The World Heritage Convention (Paris, 1972), whose Operative Guidelines first expressed the notion of Cultural Landscapes
• The World Heritage Convention (Paris, 1972), whose Operative Guidelines first expressed the notion of Cultural Landscapes
• Charter of Burra (ICOMOS, Burra Australia, 1979)
• Bern Convention, Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (CoE 1979)
• The European Social Charter (CoE, 1961)
• The New European Bauhaus (2020)