The Call for Abstracts for IFLA World Congress 2026 is now open! We invite researchers, practitioners, educators, and partners to submit abstracts that respond to the Congress theme: ‘Liminal Landscapes: Shifting Boundaries of Watersheds and Coastlines.’
Theme overview
Landscape boundaries between land, water and air are dynamic and often blurred. The 2026 Congress will examine how landscape architecture can anticipate, design for, and work with these shifting thresholds to address climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanisation, social equity, and cultural continuity. Hong Kong’s position at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta makes it an especially timely setting to explore coastal and watershed interconnections.
Congress sub-themes
Climate Action at the Edge: Adaptation Strategies for Rising Waters
Nature Conservation in Flux: Restoring Biodiversity in Watersheds
Cultural Landscapes of Water: Heritage, Identity, and Port Cities
Just Transitions: Equity, Access, and Indigenous Voices
Blue Urbanism: Healthy Cities and Settlements
Smart Coasts: Innovation, Practice, and Policy
Inclusive Waterscapes: Design for All Ages
Pedagogies of Flux: Education and the Future Profession
What to submit
Abstracts presenting original research, design projects, case studies, policy analysis, pedagogical approaches or collaborative practice are welcome. Submissions should clearly state objectives, methods, findings or design outcomes, and relevance to the Congress theme or sub-themes. Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented contributions are encouraged.
Key dates
Submission portal opens: 15 February 2026
Submission deadline: 15 April 2026
Authors notified: mid-May 2026
More information & submission
Guidelines: www.ifla2026.com
Submission portal: abstract.ifla2026.com/
Inquiries: abstract@ifla2026.com
