University News Last updated 26 June 2014
Kathryn Moore, Professor of Landscape Architecture at Birmingham City University, has been elected as the next world president of the International Federation for Landscape Architects (IFLA).
Professor Kathryn Moore said: "It is a great honour to have been elected world president of International Federation of Landscape Architects. It is a tremendous opportunity for Birmingham City University - to be at the heart of a long established international organisation with connections to major partners across the world."
In her role as president Kathryn hopes to help the organisation play an important international leadership and consultative role, provide a global network of advice and support for members to draw upon, promote the profession of landscape architecture, inspire its members and attain global recognition through its awards.
Professor Moore is currently leading the project HS2 Landscape Vision (HS2LV), where she is working with various organisations including Chamber of Commerce, Centro and Birmingham City Council in helping to develop a strategic iconic landscape vision for High Speed 2, in the West Midlands.
"As long as we adopt a holistic, inclusive approach to the overall planning of high speed rail, HS2 has the potential to act as a catalyst for wider social and economic transformation," claims Professor Kathryn Moore, on the potential of HS2 for Birmingham.
"There is tremendous opportunity for HS2 stations to signal a new approach - using a different baseline and supported with a different mind-set, working practices and economic models. The HS2 stations should be designed to energise the city. This is an opportunity to maximise the project in a positive way to ensure it contributed to the quality of life."
"There is a new way of talking about landscape and the raised profile of our profession brings with it huge challenges and responsibilities. These issues are being explored in research, in courses in landscape architecture and through the interdisciplinary and cross-institutional work being undertaken in projects such as HS2LV.
"Having the presidency located at Birmingham City University means that we will be at the forefront of this paradigm shift," said Kathryn Moore.
Kathryn's career as a lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Birmingham City University spans over 25 years, in which time she has published extensively on design quality, theory, education and practice. Her book 'Overlooking the visual: Demystifying the art of design' redefines the theories of perception and provides an innovative, fresh view on design and how it can be improved for both practitioners and students in the architecture and design fields.
International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) is the organisation which represents the landscape architectural profession globally. It encourages and supports scientific research standards of education and professional practice influencing the widest range of landscape architectural operations and supports any action that benefits the profession of landscape architecture. IFLA aims to develop and promote international exchange of knowledge, research, skills and experience in all matters related to landscape architecture across all cultures and communities.