Landscape of Communities - FOLAR Symposium 2023

FOLAR’s annual symposium for 2023, the Landscape of Communities, focuses on amenity landscapes which respond first to the wishes and ways of the local community, whether local residents or workers. In this symposium, presentations cover public open spaces including commons, woods and parks; school grounds; historic development of landscapes between terraced housing; graveyards, pocket parks and fragmented inner city spaces, and refurbishing landscapes to existing estates.

Speakers representing different organisations, including charities, trusts, private practice and academia share their experience and expertise in enabling a broad spectrum of people and of all ages to engage with range of different landscape initiatives.

The FOLAR symposiums are held at The MERL Reading where a bespoke exhibition of relevant archival material is displayed for delegates to view.

• Introductions Annabel Downs, and Carolin Göhler - symposium chair

• Leah McNally, London Wildlife Trust; People and places

• Guy Redmond, Leaves of Green; Developing community and cultural landscapes a practical guide

• Jan Woudstra, University of Sheffield; Early experiments in building communities: Robert Marnock’s design for Ladbroke Grove in context

• Helen John, Landscape consultant; The many lives of Crossbones Graveyard and Garden of Remembrance, an intergenerational legacy

• Sarah Cooke, Groundwork London; Community Landscapes Effective community engagement and design excellence