Mumbai prepares to host groundbreaking Asia Pacific Congress on reimagining urban landscapes
Mumbai is set to become a significant hub for international dialogue on landscape architecture and urban resilience with the upcoming Asia Pacific Regional Congress 2025, organised by the Indian Society of Landscape Architects (ISOLA). Scheduled for November 14–15, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the Congress will convene leading professionals across landscape architecture, urban planning, design, ecology, and policy. Themed “Growth Paradox: Reimagining Landscapes,” the event aims to explore innovative solutions to balance urban growth with ecological sustainability, inclusive development, and future-readiness.
The Congress promises a dynamic platform combining keynote speeches, panel discussions, and curated exhibitions designed to foster knowledge exchange and multidisciplinary collaboration. This addresses critical challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and socioeconomic disparities, reflecting a broader global movement for more resilient and inclusive urban environments. Early registrations are underway, with special concessions for ISOLA members, students, and international delegates, signalling strong interest from the professional community.
Complementing the Congress is the inaugural International Federation of Landscape Architects’ (IFLA) Global Studio Program (GSP) hosted in India for the first time, running from November 8 to 12 at Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture (VESCOA) in Mumbai. This five-day student charrette, themed “Reimagining Urban Landscapes: Negotiating Mumbai’s Paradoxes,” engages master's and bachelor’s students from India and abroad in both in-person and remote collaboration. The GSP aims to catalyse innovative thinking among future landscape architects by addressing the intricate urban challenges unique to megacities like Mumbai, where natural processes and human interventions coexist and often conflict.
VESCOA, with its master’s programmes in landscape architecture and urban design, provides an ideal setting for this initiative, encouraging a blend of academic rigour and practical innovation. The GSP is supported by the Soonabai Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, whose environmental sustainability head, Tejashree Joshi, emphasised the importance of integrating ecological stewardship within industrial and societal frameworks. The programme’s chair, landscape architect Bhakti Thakoor, highlighted its goal of inspiring collective action among students for sustainable urban futures.
ISOLA President Urmila Rajadhyaksha articulated the broader significance of these events in positioning India within the global discourse on urban and ecological design. She stressed that landscape architects hold considerable influence in shaping cities that are ecologically balanced yet economically vibrant. The Congress and associated GSP also enjoy support from local entities, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) serving as a Green Supporter, underscoring alignment with municipal sustainability goals.
The significance of Mumbai as a venue for such high-profile architectural and urban planning events extends beyond 2025. The city will also host the International Union of Architects (UIA) International Forum in 2027, further underscoring Mumbai's role as a focal point for global urban regeneration discourse. This continuity enhances the city’s emergence as a hub for innovative thinking on urban challenges, sustainability, and design excellence in a warming world.
Together, the IFLA-APR Regional Congress and the Global Studio Program represent a concerted effort to deepen professional and student engagement with the complexities of urban environments in India and the Asia-Pacific region. By fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, these platforms aim to equip current and future leaders with the insights and tools necessary to navigate the growth paradox , managing rapid urban expansion while safeguarding the ecological and social fabric vital to resilient cities.