Athens International Landscape Symposium

[i]Establishing landscape architecture in Greece and in the wider Mediterranean world[/i] Workshop report by Adam Cook, landscape architect, EDAW London 15 September 2006 Organiser: ERA Congress Management In order to understand the symposium title – ‘Establishing landscape architecture in Greece and in the wider Mediterranean world’ – one must be aware that the EU is debating a stronger and more balanced territorial focus for its policies. - 1 The EU territorial planning agenda aims to identify particular needs and characteristics of individual regions, in terms of their problems and opportunities, that derive from their particular geographical position. Developing territorial cohesion could mean improving attractiveness of regions and cities by enhancing regional characteristics in which landscape features. - 2 The key message of this symposium illustrates a need for professional unity and recognition of the landscape profession in Europe and in particular, the Mediterranean region. Speakers included Greek Government representatives: Haris Kokossis, ministry of tourism; Ekaterina Sekianaki, ministry of environment; and Dr Ionnis Kottakis, ministry of development. They spoke alongside various officials from landscape professional organisations and universities, from some ten countries, including six in the Mediterranean. The audience comprised: agriculturalist, architects, civil engineers, foresters, landscape architects, planners and urban designers. Key outcomes of the symposium can be summarised as follows: • There is a need to develop a common educational platform for entry into the landscape professions. • The profession needs greater promotion, for greater public awareness and recognition. • Inter-professional working should be encouraged. An example of this being the signing of a Memorandum of Association by the Landscape Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects in the UK. • The EU Government has the ability to offset pressure on the environment, through positive development planning and legislation. • There is a need for EFLA to lobby the EU, on developing effective legislation. The report may also be downloaded at: http://www.landscape.co.uk/greenp/gpn/GPN33_november06.pdf