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Improving collaboration across the built and natural environment
Advances in digital technology are changing the way we operate across the built and natural environment. The emerging technologies seen throughout this autumn edition of the journal are revolutionising collaboration and communication, information management, design, business operations and project delivery. Most importantly, they are helping to inform social and environmental decision-making and provide landscape solutions to challenges in climate, biodiversity and public health.
There is no doubt that some emerging technologies pose significant questions for the future of landscape planning, design and management, but it is also certain that there are significant opportunities for the sector to grow, thrive and contribute its skill and expertise. It is incumbent on all of us to engage and seize this opportunity together.
In the summer, the LI’s Digital Practice and Technology for Landscape conference was the first in-person conference we’ve held since the pandemic. What a delight it was to welcome almost 200 attendees and 38 speakers to the event, which was so important for promoting vital crosssector, peer-to-peer collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The conference marked a great achievement in our ongoing work to deliver on the eight pledges we’ve made to our members. With one pledge focused on member engagement, the conference was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the most pressing challenges facing the industry with our diverse and ambitious membership body in person.
The Landscape Institute’s vision is to be agile, innovative and responsive and digital technology will be key to this agenda – from transforming our own digital systems and improving the experience of working with the LI for all, to ensuring that our members are equipped to leverage new technologies in practice.
That’s why delivering a digital transformation programme forms another key member pledge and we look forward to begin implementing this in the year ahead. Our new digital home will provide a seamless customer experience, offering simple, accessible member self-service and effective communications and engagement, unlocking value for members, staff and other stakeholders.
The ideas promoted at the conference, in this edition of the journal and through engagement with members, have reiterated the vital role of landscape professionals and highlighted the impact that digital technologies can have in progressing the collaborative approach required. It is this very approach that underpins our New Ways of Working as an Institute and we look forward to driving this progress together.
Rob Hughes and Wendy Lancaster FLI, Landscape Director at Tyler Grange, at the Landscape Institute Digital Practice & Technology for Landscape conference.
