How do you integrate climate change measures into your landscape projects?

2 Set the goals

The next step is to set the goals and objectives of your project in relation to climate change. This means defining what you want to achieve in terms of resilience, adaptation, and mitigation, and how you will measure your success. You should also consider the trade-offs and synergies between different goals, and how they align with the broader policies and plans for climate action. You should consult with your clients, users, and other stakeholders to ensure that your goals are relevant, realistic, and acceptable.

3 Choose the strategies

The third step is to choose the strategies and interventions that will help you achieve your goals. This means selecting the appropriate design elements, materials, techniques, and technologies that will enhance the resilience, adaptation, and mitigation potential of your landscape. You should also consider the costs, benefits, risks, and uncertainties of each strategy, and how they might interact with each other and with the existing conditions. You should use evidence-based and best practices to guide your decisions, and look for examples and case studies of similar projects that have implemented climate change measures.

4 Implement the solutions

The fourth step is to implement the solutions that you have chosen. This means executing the design, construction, and management of your project according to the planned strategies and interventions. You should also monitor and evaluate the performance and outcomes of your project, and compare them with the expected goals and indicators. You should also communicate and engage with your clients, users, and other stakeholders throughout the process, and provide feedback and support to ensure that your project meets their needs and expectations.

5 Adapt to changes

The fifth step is to adapt to changes that might occur during or after your project. This means being flexible and responsive to the changing conditions, needs, and preferences of your site and stakeholders, and adjusting your strategies and interventions accordingly. You should also learn from your experience and from the feedback and results of your project, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges for improvement. You should also share your knowledge and lessons learned with other landscape architects and professionals, and contribute to the advancement of the field.

6 Inspire others

The sixth step is to inspire others to take action on climate change. This means showcasing your project as an example of how landscape architecture can address the challenge of climate change and create positive impacts for the environment and society. You should also advocate for the role and value of landscape architecture in the climate change agenda, and collaborate with other disciplines and sectors to promote interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral solutions. You should also educate and empower your clients, users, and other stakeholders to become more aware and active on climate change issues.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?