The 8th ILFA African symposium took place at the Safari Park Hotel, in Nairobi on 28th September, 2023, in collaboration with the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), organized by the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) World Congress.
Themed “Emergent Interaction”, the aim is to strengthen landscape architecture by exploring new forms of collective problem solving, borderless strategies and possible networking of ideas and cooperation, while keeping the issues of climate change, social inequality and biodiversity loss at the forefront.
“This convention and congress brings together diverse group of professionals, who represent different facets of the built environment, to address the emerging challenges that continue to threaten our planet and it’s inhabitants caused by our actions,” said AAK President, Arch. Florence Nyole during the event.
Additionally, the world congress is also an opportunity to promote learning and collaboration, among built environment professionals to find solutions to major global challenges.
AAK President, Arch. Florence Nyole also noted that the world today stands at a critical point, where rapid urbanization continues to put pressure on the finite resources available and increase impact of climate change.
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Thus, Africa and Kenya is no exception in the rapid urbanization, with a projection that by 2050 more than half the population will be living in urban areas.
Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, also lauded the efforts made by the built environment professionals of both countries on climate change.
“It is important to build smart, healthy and efficient cities where people can integrate, communicate and move freely. Landscape architecture plays an important role in shaping sustainable development,” she said.
However, despite professionalism being insisted, Research studies by the National Construction Authority in Kenya have shown that only 20% of the Construction work in Kenya, have built environment professionals engaged leaving 80% to the mercy of non- professionals, a very dangerous situation that has led to several building collapses and many more non- conforming to the building code.
Despite of these challenges, AAK has for the past 6 years, been advocating for the use of professionals and continues to push for recognition of emerging professionals, such as Landscape architects, in order to ensure that there is order in the industry. This is run under two campaigns ” Je, Una mjengo?” and “Mulika mjengo!”
AAK is a premier association that was formed back in 1967, now 56 years old, with Architects, Planners, Engineers and Quanty Surveyors as the first 4 groups of professionals, who today remain the only regulated professionals in the built environment.
