As we have entered 2025, now is the time to review my predictions for 2024 Landscape Architecture trends and see whether I was right, wrong, or partially correct.
These predictions are always hard to determine due to the nature of landscape architecture can take years to become trends.
Climate Change
There has been a shift from mitigation to adaptation, as we can see that we have most likely surpassed the 1.5c target, with 2024 set to be the warmest on record [1]. Sadly, there has been little movement on accountability for climate targets for governments or corporations.
Thankfully, there has been some progress on tools with Carbon Conscious and Pathfinder, which have aligned datasets, and ASLA released a set of guides on how to decarbonize Business Operations, the Design Process and Specifications. Also, the ECHO project released its recommendations for Project Life Cycle Assessment Requirements. There has also been a shift in some countries for government projects to require a minimum endemic species and greater biodiversity on plant lists for new construction.
Transport
Pedestrian safety still lags behind as a priority in urban design and renovation. The walkability of communities and streets is critical in reducing the reliance on vehicles for transport. In terms of e-mobility, it is gaining popularity in South-East Asia to move from polluting petrol scooters to electric scooters. However, there seems to be a lack of regulation on speed restrictions in urban areas.
Charging networks are increasing worldwide as demand increases. However, these spaces are treated like carparks or service stations (truck stops) with little thought to users (lack of shade and services). Charging for e-bikes is becoming more common but they are still a rarity; there are opportunities for train stations and transport hubs to become charge and ride for those areas without shared bike networks.
Education & Profession
The debate between design and STEM seems to have abated in 2024, but it will still be a topic in 2025 as universities seek to address the continued decline in student enrolment in landscape architecture programs. Anecdotally, it seems that universities are looking to take advantage of the increase in interest in computer science and data within universities and create separate tracks for landscape technology.
There is still a reluctance to provide a different pathway, such as apprenticeships or professional training, to become a landscape architect rather than completing a university program and registration. Although the Landscape Institute has a Technician pathway, I hope we see more professional organisations offering alternative pathways.
Technology
Artificial intelligence evolved during 2024 with new versions of ChatGPT, Co-pilot, and the introduction of AI chips in PCs. Generative AI moved beyond images to video, and although still in the early stages, we are seeing interesting content.
Knowledge management has progressed but is in its infancy, with only a few firms introducing AI to access its data and create benchmarks or scenarios. Most firms use artificial intelligence to increase the efficiency of repetitive tasks (standard text, financial analysis, etc.).
Concerning AI and copyright issues, most governments are seeking first to address the issue of protecting existing copyright rather than determining whether copyright applies to newly generated materials.
Architecture & Planning
The lack of affordable housing continued to be an issue worldwide in 2024. The trend of office tower conversion to residential has started in the major cities of the East Coast USA, although only partial conversions have been made, and it is a good start. I was incorrect about shopping malls with the growing demand for space; however, it was only in the top-tier malls in the USA with the expansion of fast food brands [2] and also malls replacing department stores with apartments. In other countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, etc), we see an increase in build-to-rent housing. However, this still leads to increased density without increasing open space.
We saw positive changes during 2024, and I hope you enjoyed reading this review of my 2024 Landscape Architecture trends. I am looking forward to publishing the 2025 landscape trends on WLA soon.
Author: Damian Holmes – Editor and Founder of World Landscape Architecture (WLA)
Cover Image Credits:
(Left) DALL-E image – wetland in front of New York skyline
(Middle) Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; Flickr user – Minneapolis Public Works
(Right) St. Augustine Mall – Flick User Keith C
Footnotes
[1] 2024 to become the hottest year on record, United Nations, https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1158621
[2] Demand Surge and Steady Vacancy Rates Drive Growth | U.S. Retail Q2 2024, Colliers, https://knowledge-leader.colliers.com/nicole-larson/demand-surge-and-steady-vacancy-rates-drive-growth-u-s-retail-q2-2024/
[3] More Americans are living in malls, as developers get creative to help ease the housing crisis, CNBC, https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/why-developers-are-building-housing-at-shopping-malls.html
