Call for Abstracts for IFLA World Congress 2026

The Call for Abstracts for IFLA World Congress 2026 is now open! IFLA invites researchers, practitioners, educators, and partners to submit abstracts that respond to the Congress theme: ‘Liminal Landscapes: Shifting Boundaries of Watersheds and Coastlines.’

The IFLA World Congress 2026 will be held in Hong Kong, China, on 28-30 October 2026

Theme overview

Landscape boundaries between land, water and air are dynamic and often blurred. The 2026 Congress will examine how landscape architecture can anticipate, design for, and work with these shifting thresholds to address climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanisation, social equity, and cultural continuity. Hong Kong’s position at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta makes it an especially timely setting to explore coastal and watershed interconnections.

Congress sub-themes

Climate Action at the Edge: Adaptation Strategies for Rising Waters
Nature Conservation in Flux: Restoring Biodiversity in Watersheds
Cultural Landscapes of Water: Heritage, Identity, and Port Cities
Just Transitions: Equity, Access, and Indigenous Voices
Blue Urbanism: Healthy Cities and Settlements
Smart Coasts: Innovation, Practice, and Policy
Inclusive Waterscapes: Design for All Ages
Pedagogies of Flux: Education and the Future Profession

What to submit

Abstracts presenting original research, design projects, case studies, policy analysis, pedagogical approaches or collaborative practice are welcome.
Submissions should clearly state objectives, methods, findings or design outcomes, and relevance to the Congress theme or sub-themes.
Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented contributions are encouraged.

Key dates