On January 13,The 2026 Global Workshop and Shanshui City Symposium opened on the 12th in Wuhan. More than 30 universities and colleges from over 10 countries and regions—including China, the United States, France, New Zealand, Thailand, and the Philippines—along with scholars in related fields gathered both online and offline at Shishan to exchange ideas and explore design under the theme "Shanshui City: Constructing the Future Human Settlement Environment," focusing on landscape architecture education and practice, future leadership development, and related topics.

The event is hosted by Huazhong Agricultural University, marking the first time the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) Global Workshop has been held in mainland China. Over the four-day program, participating faculty and students will engage in multi-dimensional, cross-cultural exchange and creative practice through lectures and seminars, field surveys, group creation, and presentations of results.

Yan Jianbing, President of Huazhong Agricultural University, expressed the hope that participating faculty and students will draw on cutting-edge global concepts through field surveys and collective design, and grow into a backbone force driving sustainable urban-rural development.

Xu Qiang, Dean of the College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences at Huazhong Agricultural University, expressed the hope of using this event as an opportunity to establish long-term mechanisms for joint research, sharing of results, and training of young scholars and students, sparking inspiration through exchange and fostering growth through cooperation.

In a video address, Bruno Marques, President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects, emphasized that in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rapid urbanization, it is impossible to seek solutions through one country or region alone; only the convergence and collision of ideas and cultures can give rise to breakthroughs. This event brings together students and mentors from diverse backgrounds and is precisely an important cross-disciplinary dialogue and practice.

Chris Tidswell, a member of the IFLA Executive Committee, said that the unique geographical environment, cultural backgrounds, and social differences of the Asia-Pacific region constitute stunning diversity. We should be committed to cultivating a resilient, closely interconnected, and future-oriented professional community of landscape architecture, and look forward to future designers deeply understanding and making good use of the diverse characteristics of the Asia-Pacific region, seizing development opportunities, and fully demonstrating professional capabilities and influence on the global stage.

Li Rusheng, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture, said in his address that he hopes participants, while deeply understanding the spiritual connotations of China's shanshui culture, will fully draw on the beneficial practices of various countries in sustainable development, ecological restoration, environmental governance, and urban renewal; organically integrate the traditional wisdom of their own countries and regions with modern technology; closely combine design concepts with site practice; create value in real scenarios; and innovate and grow through exchange and collision.

In the lecture and seminar sessions, scholars in related fields from the University of Washington in the United States, the National School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture of Lille in France, Lincoln University in New Zealand, the International Federation of Landscape Architects, and other institutions will be invited to deliver keynote reports on ecological governance, urban landscape design, local wisdom and practice, and related topics.

The Global Workshop has eight study groups in total, each composed of four to five students from different countries and regions, with one to two mentors providing guidance throughout. Each group will conduct site surveys in the original core area of the ancient city on both sides of Sheshan in the core area of Wuchang Ancient City in Wuhan, and jointly complete design creations under the guidance of mentors. The design results of all groups will be showcased together at the closing ceremony of the event.