ELASA

ELASA is European Landscape Architecture Student Association which promotes cooperation, exchange and mobility of the students within the association and also gives support for developing landscaping ideas and concepts across Europe. The association itself has around 1000 members and operates in a close connection with the IFLA, IFLA Europe and the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS).

Each year an annual meeting (summer) and a smaller mini-meeting (spring) are organised. Every meeting is organised in a different country by landscape architecture students of a university from that country.

ELASA shapes landscape architecture students from all over Europe. Each country is represented by a country representative. ELASA meetings are really important for the association because this is one of the main ways of keeping communication, sharing information and planning the next meetings.

IFLA Europe provides funds each year for ELASA representatives to join IFLA Europe Delegates and Executive Council at the General Assembly and present ELASA and their activities.

To find out more about ELASA please visit their website ELASA

News from ELASA:

2020 mini-meeting in Croatia - possible new dates 28 September to 4 October (to be confirmed)

2020 annual meeting in Bulgaria - postponed. T

2021 mini-meeting in the Netherlands

2021 annual meeting in Portugal

2022 annual meeting in Switzerland

2022 mini-meeting isn’t decided yet.

Mini-meeting Croatia - possible new dates 28 September to 4 October (to be confirmed)

“Culture, cultural heritage & landscapes”

Croatia – such a small country, but incredibly full of life. In terms of culture, today we say that Croatian territory was influenced by three different cultural impacts – the Mediterranean, Central European and Balcans. As a result of that, during 14 centuries of existence, it changed numerous governors, from Roman empire, Austro – Hungarian Monarchy to Yugoslavian Federation, until it became a sovereign Republic. This variety resulted in a melting pot of different cultures and it’s likely to reflect on its landscape.

Our aim is to take You on a journey – a journey where we will be going back in time and explore the dry-stone heritage with hilltop burgs our ancestors left to us till we don’t return in present and walk on crowded streets between ex – industrial sites of the European Capital of Culture 2020.

“Go With The Flow”

This slogan invites to meet Croatian cultural landscapes, follow an imaginary pathway which connects them and take the possibility for their exploring. In the same time, it presents a bunch of young enthusiastic people who want to boost their knowledge. The term Flow also presents any water feature – river, lake, underground stream, sea – which enabled city development nearby.

All locations we plan to visit are situated nearby a water feature.

First of them is the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. Situated along river Sava, it has a specific longitudinal shape which was conditioned because of its position between a mountain on north and a river on south. It gets a special charm during spring when magnolia trees are in bloom and many people, especially students, use green spaces as picnic areas.

After the city comes the countryside – In an old – mill site in Istria, a river formed hollows in karst and fulfilled them. The site represents a specific scenery thanks to the white karst which gives turquoise color to the water in hollows. Next to the mills partially inside a cave is situated an artificial lake, used for recreation and leisure during summer period. Before leaving the central Istria, possibly we’ll have a traditional lunch in a romantic hilltop town in very heart of Istria.

Situated on western Istrian coast, Rovinj is well – known as a tourism oriented town. From the traditional urban pattern eventually pops out a contemporary designed hotel with its surroundings where sustainable development with usage of native plants are cornerstones of every landscape design.

The last destination is European Capital of Culture 2020, city of Rijeka. Famous for its industrial heritage, it offers possibilities for rethinking and new usage of such sites. Getting the title of Capital of culture, many lectures and workshops has been held to gain the main goal – give a new identity to the city. Same aim has the final landscape design workshop which is going to be placed right in Rijeka.

About Croatia

Croatia is a country of South and Southeast Europe, located in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro on continental part and it is sharing maritime border in the Adriatic sea with Italy.

Croatia is small but highly geographically diverse country with many different regions, dialects and cultural characteristics. The hilly northern parts and the flat plains in the east are traversed by major rivers such as Dunav, Drava, Kupa, and Sava. The central and southern regions near the Adriatic coastline and islands consist of low mountains and forested highlands.

The capital is Zagreb, located in the north. Other bigger cities are Osijek, Split and Rijeka. Most of them are positioned on the Adriatic coast where the bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated.

Besides beautiful Mediterranean coastline with over 1000 islands, Croatia is most known for the scientist Nikola Tesla, who was born in Croatia, our neck ties (Cravat) which soldiers in the Middle age wore around their necks and delicious homemade food and drinks. Croatian are known as a friendly people and good hosts. They are always looking forward to introduce foreigners with local food and sometimes force them to try it even though they are not hungry.

We are really excited to show you our beautiful country and unique gems!