©
Communication Shapes Connection, Connection Drives Change
If we consider a tree in the landscape exclusively from a formal and figurative perspective, it may appear as a static, singular and isolated entity. However, contemporary science encourages a shift in perspective: our understanding of the natural world is profoundly influenced by the context of observation and the role of the observer. At its core, nature is far from inert. What may appear to be a solitary tree is in fact a dynamic system - a hub of interactions and exchanges driven by immense energy.
This shift in perspective reveals the interconnectedness of all living systems, which are in constant communication and transformation. This principle extends beyond the biological realm to embrace social, economic and environmental systems. It highlights how our knowledge, identities, communities and environments are intricately shaped and sustained through continuous interaction and exchange. Recognising and nurturing this awareness enriches our understanding of our place in the world.
In this light, landscape approaches are becoming indispensable planning tools. They provide a comprehensive framework for managing land use in a way that balances social equity, economic productivity and environmental sustainability. These strategies are particularly effective in contexts where productive land use must coexist with biodiversity conservation and ecological priorities, creating spaces that balance competing demands while ensuring long-term, sustainable outcomes.
With just six years left to meet the 2030 targets, the need for bold, coordinated action on decarbonisation is more urgent than ever. By sharing our expertise, fostering collaboration and promoting innovative solutions, we can help lead the transition to more sustainable and inclusive urban systems.
Achieving this ambition will require the integration of advanced planning methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration and the creative reimagining of landscapes.
Erika Skabar
Erika Skabar graduates from the Institute of Architecture at the University of Venice (IUAV) in 1994, studying under Professor Ippolito Pizzetti (1936–2007), whose multidisciplinary approach to landscape—spanning literature, theatre, and music—profoundly influences her academic and professional trajectory. Her research interests include the philosophy of gardens and landscapes, drawing on the works of Rosario Assunto, Rudolf Borchardt, and Georg Simmel, as well as aesthetics and the philosophy of nature.
Early in her career, she gains international experience in Austria, the Balkans, Brazil, and Portugal, working in leading landscape architecture firms. Her work focuses on projects that explore the intersection of art and landscape, including land art and site-specific installations, such as the 1997 international competition for Piazza Unità with the Soundscaping project, developed under the coordination of Gino Valle. Among her significant work, she co-authors the landscape design for the new Museum of Contemporary Art at Casa Serralves in Portugal, coordinated by Álvaro Siza Vieira and in collaboration with Gomes da Silva. The project integrates large-scale sculptures by artists such as Richard Serra, Claes Oldenburg, and Dan Graham into newly developed sections of the park.
Over time, she specializes in the large-scale design of complex public works, developing her expertise through consultancy roles with internationally acclaimed architectural practices, including Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Genoa, Richard Rogers in London and Richard Meier in New York. This professional experience provides her with an understanding of the methodologies, perspectives, and technical languages of the various disciplines involved in the construction process, some of which include Architecture and urban planning, Ground engineering, Development infrastructure, Bridge engineering and civil structures, Transport and mobility, Energy, Waste management consultancy, Health and safety consultancy, Water and costal engineering, Sustainability. This multidisciplinary expertise allows for the development of an integrated and collaborative working framework, facilitating the convergence of diverse knowledge. Such an approach enables the identification of constraints and the formulation of cohesive, innovative design solutions, shaped by the dynamic interaction between specialized fields.
She emphasises the importance of combining theoretical planning tools with practical fieldwork to enhance understanding and strengthen knowledge. Her approach integrates smart, interdisciplinary thinking across all aspects of landscape design, with a focus on green infrastructure maintenance, ecosystem services integration, sustainable land management, and reversing land degradation in response to climate change.
She gains extensive experience working in leading nurseries within the floriculture sector and participates in plant-hunting expeditions with an amateur society to study plants in their natural habitats. She also engages in “constant and intensive efforts” to move rocks while building her own garden, aiming to understand and apply techniques and practices used in polyculture design. Through these hands-on experiences, she is constantly seeking practical advice to refine her approach, deepen her expertise, and, above all, reconnect with the earth by getting her hands in the soil.