Department of Landscape Architecture at IPB University, Indonesia

On 11–16 August 2025, the Department of Landscape Architecture at IPB University in Indonesia hosted a delegation from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). The meeting was another crucial step in developing academic cooperation and preparing a dual master’s degree programme in landscape architecture, responding to the challenges of climate change and sustainable landscape development. 

The Polish delegation was officially welcomed at the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Dyah Retno Panuju, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni. We visited the faculty’s teaching facilities and the IPB Museum at the university. We then met with the IPB’s Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration, and Alumni, Prof. Dr. Ir. Iskandar Z. Siregar, M.For.Sc., IPU, ASEAN Eng, to discuss strategic issues related to the planned double master’s degree programme. 

 An integral part of the stay was field trips, which allowed us to explore several regions of DKI Jakarta and West Java. In the Angke Kapuk Ecotourism Park, we observed mangrove ecosystems and took part in mangrove planting, learning about their role in coastal protection in the era of climate change. In Jakarta, we explored the landscape heritage of the Old Town and also participated in a traditional wayang shadow theater workshop. In Bandung, we walked through the historic Braga district, where we experienced the unique character of the colonial urban landscape. 

We also explored volcanic landscapes, visiting the Kawah Putih and Tangkuban Perahu craters. There, we not only observed extraordinary geological phenomena, but also learned about local legends associated with the mountains, which reveal the strong links between landscape, culture, and history. Travelling across West Java, we admired rice fields, coffee and tea plantations, and observed how they shape the local agricultural landscape.  

In Sukabumi, we went hiking in the Situ Gunung area, where we explored the richness of the tropical forest. We had the opportunity to see damar trees and endemic animal species such as surili and Javan lutungs. We crossed a suspension bridge, visited the Curug Sawer waterfall, and listened to Sundanese music, which allowed us to experience the culture of the region even more fully.  

The last item on the agenda was a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Bogor, including greenhouses with a collection of pitcher plants and begonias, Teijsmann’s Garden, the Dutch Cemetery, the Presidential Palace, and the Water Garden. During a shared meal, we summarised the visit and outlined the next steps in implementing the dual studies programme.  

The meeting was not only an opportunity to discuss academic cooperation, but also to exchange experiences, have inspiring discussions, and build good energy within the team. Direct contact with the landscapes and traditions of Indonesia allowed us to better understand the challenges and potential facing landscape architecture in the context of global change.