IFLA President James Hayter on the Covid crisis

With the prospect of New Zealand’s level four Covid lockdown easing next week - we spoke to the head of the International Federation of Landscape Architects, James Hayter, about the crisis and its impact on the profession.

Not only is he the IFLA president, Professor Hayter is also the founding director of Oxigen, a landscape architecture practice in Australia. James is a graduate of Adelaide, Sheffield and Harvard universities and currently serves as Professor in Landscape Architecture at the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at the University of Adelaide. James is also a Past President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

James Hayter believes the pandemic compares sharply with the climate change crisis in terms of legacy.

LAA: How is the Landscape Architecture world responding to the crisis?

JH: The landscape architectural community is remarkedly connected globally and this is reflected in a sharing of experiences, practical suggestions and solidarity in its response to COVID-19. The help and connectedness offered by many landscape architecture representative associations globally demonstrates common purpose and shared dismay at the massive disruption that has occurred. In countries where associations are less established, IFLA has connected individuals and directed practical resources to many suffering uncertainty and professional isolation.

LAA: How’s is it impacting you personally and professionally?

JH: We are all now adopting new ways of communication – for a design practice, this has meant re-evaluating how we interact with each other, our colleagues and clients, the passing on of knowledge and critique, updating technology and systems, and increased self sufficiency. Adapting is harder than most of us could have imagined. A friend in Spain emailed to say she is not coping – living in an apartment with a young child, internet that is so overloaded it barely works, and no access to work or colleagues. The (wisely) enforced physical and social isolation is extreme.

LAA: You’re based in Australia - how would you compare the two countries’ responses?

JH: Both governments have acted early with social isolation and large economic stimulus directed to small business and the unemployed. Hopefully we have both dodged a bullet by recognising the threat early and focussing a response that does not place economics as the first consideration. Geographical remoteness is no protection in an interconnected global economy and community.

The IFLA president says landscape architects are already speculating on decentralising dense city centres. Image credit - Victor He, Unsplash.

LAA: For IFLA - what are the long term concerns post pandemic?

JH: Our immediate concern is the re-scheduling of events planned for this year, particularly the 2020 World Congress and World Council meeting. For IFLA, this has a cascading effect over subsequent years and our expectation is to help the organising committees and associations who have already made obligations and commitments. The sharing of knowledge amongst the landscape architecture community globally has been extraordinary with techniques for working from home by sharing experiences or advice on free software resources as examples. COVID-19 affects all corners of the globe and in that way it is unique by potentially disrupting everyone.

LAA: Do you think the profession will have a part to play in the recovery from this crisis?

JH: Many of the key themes and topics landscape architects are involved in, and obviously, those related to the health and safety of communities, are already strong areas of practice for many landscape architects. Already we see landscape architects speculating on decentralising dense city centres, the revival of the suburban high street and increased cycling infrastructure over mass transit. Home grown vegetables and raising chickens in the backyard is back, and smaller convenience stores are being favoured over large supermarkets. In China, drones and driver-less vehicles are now delivering food as a matter of course. IFLA is currently talking to UNHABITAT to see how we can help connect new ways of practice, existing research and governments looking to stimulate economies and employment through infrastructure spending.

LAA: Do you think there will be lasting legacy from this event?

JH: The disruption from COVID-19 will continue to cause hardship globally. The pandemic is being described as once in a generation. Given the way COVID-19 has spread so easily, I’m not sure. Our ability to adapt is being tested in a way not experienced before by my generation. The way we share knowledge, adopt new practices and re-orientate our focus to the natural environment and eco-system health will prove whether we have learnt from this disruption. The comparison to climate change is sharp and the actions we take, both personally and as a profession, will be our legacy.