UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 08 SEPTEMBER 2014
Birmingham City University’s Professor Kathryn Moore has confirmed her status as one of the leading landscape architects in the world by overcoming strong competition to become appointed Visiting Professor, Arnold Weddle Chair, at the University of Sheffield.
She will continue in her role as Professor of Landscape Architecture at Birmingham School of Architecture at Birmingham City University but will add the keenly sought Arnold Weddle Chair to her recent appointment as World President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects.
The Sheffield position is named after Professor Weddle, who secured independent status for Sheffield University’s research-led department of landscape architecture in 1967.
In appointing Professor Moore, Sheffield University has secured an individual with ‘a strong international reputation who will make a positive contribution to the strength of research in landscape design, landscape planning or landscape management, coupled with the delivery of inspirational teaching in selected modules’.
Professor Moore said she was looking forward to linking her role as President of the International Federation of Landscape Architecture with a collaboration between two notable universities. She also emphasised the potential role of landscape architecture in any successful development of the HS2 project between Birmingham and London. She said:
"I am thrilled that these two universities are going to be able to forge ahead with new opportunities for collaboration and applied research in this vital field.
"Birmingham City University is well known for our applied expertise in art and design and this reflects my own background and strengths in this area. Sheffield University approaches this subject with a strong disciplinary background in science and planning. How we are able to merge our disciplines and backgrounds to provide a viable, multi-disciplinary approach, and to develop better insights enhancing quality of life for people around the UK and internationally is the key issue that we will be jointly pursuing.
“The timing couldn’t be better for us at Birmingham City University, given our location right at the heart of the Curzon Street station development for HS2. This represents a truly transformational project for our city. Drawing on the insights that landscape architecture can bring to bear this can become a project with the power to integrate and renew our city.”
In her role as World President Professor Moore is embarking on a demanding schedule of international travel to share her views on the transformative power of landscape architecture, starting in South Africa. She added: "I am proud to be representing Birmingham City University and our great cities of Birmingham and Sheffield in Cape Town at the International Association of Landscape Architects. I believe we have so much to offer in terms of our experience as a city that has already transformed quality of life around the world and look forward to building on this to help bring about positive sustainable improvements for communities around the world."
Birmingham School of Architecture enjoys close relationships with RIBA West Midlands, MADE (the Midlands Architecture Centre), and Birmingham City Council. These key relationships allow the School to have an influence on the region and offer students hands-on experience at re-shaping the city.