Welcome to the ECLAS 2025 Conference

We are excited to invite you to the 2025 ECLAS Conference, which will be held from 6 to 10 September in Nitra, Slovakia. Conference host is the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. This year’s theme aims to explore the diverse dimensions of landscapes, including their ecological, cultural, social, and economic aspects, with a special focus on (Agri)cultural landscapes.

Call for abstracts open until February 15

We invite researchers, educators and practitioners to submit abstracts that address the interplay of several dimensions of (Agri)cultural Landscapes such as ecological, cultural, social, and economic aspects. Abstracts should be 300-500 words and submitted by 15.02.2025.

>>> submit your abstract online

We manage this conference with Oxford Abstracts. Please register with your institutional email address, thanks!

Notifications of acceptance will be sent by 07.04.2025

Conference Theme: (Agri)cultural Landscapes

The challenge of ensuring food production and biodiversity conservation on the same land while also enabling climate protection and adaptation presents significant challenges for agriculturally shaped landscapes. How can landscape architecture for a multifunctional, socially acceptable, ecologically ambitious, and economically sustainable (Agri)cultural Landscape be understood and designed?

Agriculture has long shaped our landscapes, creating a dynamic relationship between food production and the natural environment. Today, these agriculturally shaped landscapes face growing challenges: ensuring food production and biodiversity conservation on the same land while enabling climate protection and adaptation. At the same time, these landscapes play a crucial role in the global food chain, which is under increasing pressure to meet rising demands while maintaining environmental sustainability. Climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and urban expansion disrupt this delicate balance, threatening both productivity and ecological systems.

The question arises: How can landscape architecture for a multifunctional, socially acceptable, ecologically ambitious, and economically sustainable (Agri)cultural Landscape be understood and designed? By reimagining agricultural landscapes as multifunctional spaces, we can align food production with biodiversity conservation, soil health, and climate resilience. This approach not only supports local landscapes but also strengthens the global food chain, ensuring its sustainability, equity, and capacity to feed future generations. Innovative solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors are essential to create systems that are productive, resilient, and beneficial for both people and nature on a global scale.

Cross-cutting Questions

All contributions should address the following cross-cutting questions:

• How can (Agri)cultural Landscapes support biodiversity and climate resilience?
• What is the cultural heritage significance of (Agri)cultural Landscapes in shaping identities?
• How do (Agri)cultural Landscapes influence community well-being and health?
• What are the economic benefits and key drivers of new (Agri)cultural Landscapes?

Thematic Tracks

The conference will feature several thematic tracks, including:

1. Ecology and economy
   • resilient food landscapes
   • food security and safety
   • regenerative landscapes and bioeconomy
2. Heritage and Identity
   • tangible and intangible heritage
   • landscape character and identity
3. Democratic Landscape Transformation
4. Teaching & Learning
5. Innovative Landscape Practices
6. Open Track

More details on the thematic tracks will be published soon.

Key Conference Dates & Timeline

Call for Abstracts Opens: 18.12.2024
Abstract Submission Deadline: 15.02.2025
Notification of Acceptance: 07.04.2025
Doctoral Colloquium: Starts on 5 September
Conference Dates: 06. – 10. September 2025

Programme, speakers and abstracts

The conference will feature a rich programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions, paper presentations, and interactive workshops. Renowned experts and emerging voices in landscape studies will share their insights and research. Detailed information about the speakers and abstracts will be available soon.

Conference Schedule and Session Plan

For your convenience, we will provide a comprehensive schedule and session plan. This will include timings for all sessions, workshops, and social events, ensuring you can make the most of your conference experience.

Conference Details

Venue: Nitra, Slovakia, Conference host: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Format: The conference will include both in-person and virtual participation options.

Doctoral Colloquium

A Doctoral Colloquium will be held throughout the entire conference, starting on 5 September. This colloquium provides a platform for doctoral students to present their research, receive feedback, and engage with peers and experts in the field.

Scientific Committee

The conference is supported by a distinguished scientific committee comprising members from leading institutions and organisations in landscape architecture and related fields. Their expertise ensures the high standards of the review process and a high-quality and impactful event

Council of Europe Landscape Convention

In 2025, we celebrate 25 years since the Landscape Convention has been opened for signature in Florence. The aim of the Council of Europe Landscape Convention, ratified to date by 40 member States, is the protection, management and planning of the landscape, with reference to the entire territory of the States parties, promoting public awareness and participation. ECLAS is one of the recognized NGOs monitoring and supporting the implementation of the Landscape Convention.

New European Bauhaus

ECLAS is a member of the New European Bauhaus. The New European Bauhaus is a creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences. This conference aims at supporting networking and knowledge creation for the New European Bauhaus.