Visit by a delegation from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) from Indonesia

Between 22 June and 3 July, a delegation from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) in Indonesia visited Poland. The visit aimed to deepen the understanding of an integrated approach to landscape architecture in the era of environmental threats posed by climate change.

Familiarizing with the academic and student environment served to better understand the working conditions of landscape architects, especially about climatic and landscape differences. For this reason, a key component of the visit was a study tour of landscapes characteristic of different regions of Poland.

The visit began at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), where our Project Team (composed of 12 academic and research staff – 6 from Poland and six from Indonesia) met with Dr. inż. Andrzej Brandyk, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Dr. hab. Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska, Professor at SGGW and Director of the Doctoral School. During our stay in Warsaw, we visited the Vistula Boulevards and the Old Town, learning about their historical and cultural significance as well as the transformations that have occurred in the urban landscape and regional (Mazovia) landscape. From the observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science, we admired the panorama of the city.

Next, we traveled to the Masurian Lake District, where we visited Spychowo Forest District, exploring the transformations of the cultural landscape caused by climate change and the mitigation actions being undertaken in the region. During an educational boat cruise on Lake Nidzkie, we had the opportunity to experience the landscape values of the Masurian Lakeland. Our visit also included indoor and field classes led by the Masurian Landscape Park, where we discussed the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change and the conservation efforts underway.

The next part of the journey took us to Zakopane and the Tatra National Park (TPN). With the support of a researcher from TPN’s Scientific Research Department, we observed changes in the cultural landscape of the Strążyska Valley due to climate change, as well as the park’s strategies to counter these effects. The program also included a visit to the TPN Nature Education Center and a field study on Zakopane architectural style, including a tour of Willa Koliba – the museum of the Zakopane style.

During our stay in Kraków, we visited Wawel Royal Castle, including the Royal Gardens, where we analyzed the historical evolution of composition, plant selection, and decorative elements in castle gardens. We then toured the Rynek Główny, focusing on the historic urban fabric and the challenges of preserving the cultural landscape.

The visit also included essential educational components. We participated in the STS-01 training on the use of drones in landscape architecture, as well as a workshop on creating e-learning materials using tools such as Camtasia, Learning Battle Cards, Articulate Storyline, and Canva Teams. Additionally, project team meetings were held to coordinate the implementation of selected project tasks (tasks 1, 2, and 6).