In their recently published report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlined how an increase of just two degrees in global temperatures could have a devastating impact on our most vulnerable coastal communities. The report sets out how the choices we make now are critical for the future, as well as the escalating costs and risks of delayed action.
Addressing the climate crisis means governments must take concerted and immediate action. So, what does this mean for the UK’s coastal towns and cities?
This is the question LDA Design director, Bernie Foulkes, will put to University of Sheffield landscape architecture students in a new two-day workshop.
“Landscape architects are uniquely placed to lead the response to the climate crisis, but they have to earn the right to lead by providing pragmatic and considered strategic thinking which encompasses economic and social factors as well as environmental,” explains Foulkes.
“During these charrettes, we hope to challenge the landscape architects of tomorrow to develop compelling design and planning approaches to the threats posed by rising sea levels, solutions that will help people in coastal communities gain the security they need to plan into the future and live their lives to the full.”
The Sheffield undergraduate and post-graduate students will explore coastal locations around Hull and the Humber estuary, working on possible scenarios and challenges alongside experienced landscape architects, landscape planners and urban designers from LDA Design, including Ian Houlston and David Wesselingh.
Retreat, Repel or Regroup takes place on November 12-13, the University of Sheffield.
