Sarawak to host international landscaping congress

by Eve Sonary Heng, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on April 9, 2014, Wednesday

KUCHING: The Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (Ilam) and the International Federation of Landscape Architects (Ifla) Asia Pacific will be holding an international event in conjunction with Architect Month and the Ifla 2014 Asia Pacific Congress from April 28 to 30 here.

This is the first time that Malaysia as a whole and particularly Sarawak play host to the international congress, revealed Ilam president Mohd Fadrillah Mohd Taib.

The event, which will be held at the Pullman Hotel Kuching is themed a Greener Tomorrow which I feel is related to our Sarawak culture, natural resources, and green technology.

The theme means more than just plants and nature; it encompasses the methodology and finding of best practice in handling the environment and improving living conditions, he told the press yesterday.

We plan to look at sustainable, economic, value added benefits for communities in totality and at causing less environmental impact and providing more energy efficient management strategies, he added.

With these principles as guide, he said delegates will delve into sub-themes namely Greener Technology, Greener Tourism and Greener Heritage. On who should attend the congress, he replied they could be policy makers, engineers, planners, architects, developers and contractors, and others including nursery owners, green technology product manufacturers, government agencies, local governments, tour operators, hotel and resort owners, foresters, researchers as well as educators.

The congress will showcase some of the best sustainable technology and research knowledge which takes into consideration natural and cultural context.

He said in conjunction with the Ifla 2014 Asia Pacific Congress, fringe activities will also be held, including International Student Charrette from April 25 to 27, Ifla Asia Pacific Regional Council Meeting on April 27, Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards and Ilam Gala Night on April 29, Spouse Programme on April 28 and 29 and Technical Visits on April 30.

He explained that at the moment, 160 students from six countries (Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand) have registered for the International Student Charrette, which will be held at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

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Sarawak to host international landscaping congress