Netherlands Society for Garden and Landscape Architecture (NVTL) celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 16, 2022
The Netherlands Society for Garden and Landscape Architecture (NVTL) celebrates its 100th anniversary on May 16, 2022. To celebrate this occasion NVTL organised a large number of events through May 16, 2023 under the motto of 100 milestones, 100 meetings and 100 visions.
The NVTL looks back on a rich history, celebrates, shares passion and knowledge of the profession, but also looks ahead to the next century in which the professional community has an important role in keeping the Netherlands liveable through the use of design power.
Follow all the news about our 100th anniversary on this page, on LinkedIn, Instagram and Vimeo.
Since 1922
On May 16, 1922, the Union of DutchGarden Artists (B.N.T.) was founded. A photo of the first general assembly in 1923 still exists (source: Special Collections, Wageningen University & Research – Library), which you can see above. The board is seated and the members are standing behind the board table. Present were from left to right standing: Tine Cool, J.W.M. Sluiter, Jo Bouwens, A.H. Haarsma van Oucoop, J.J. Denier van der Gon, Samuel Voorhoeve, Jan T.P. Bijhouwer, A.J. van Laren, G.A. Overdijkink, Dirk F. Tersteeg. Sitting left to right: P. Westbroek, Leonard A. Springer, Hugo A.C. Poortman, H.F. Hartogh Heys van Zouteveen, Jacoba Hingst.
The NVTL was formed in 1983 as a result of a merger with the B.N.T. and the VTL (Vereniging voor Tuin- en Landschapsarchitektuur). Since its foundation the NVTL has stimulated the professional development of garden and landscape architecture in order to make an optimal contribution to the design and development of the landscape of the Netherlands and brings clients and firms into contact with each other and with complementary disciplines. The NVTL has grown to more than 600 members, consisting of students, young professionals, regular members, agencies and retirees.
Since 2022
The anniversary year has begun and we kick it off with the video below in which 8 members ask each other a question. Speaking are: Ben Kuipers (Chairman NVTL), Rik de Visser (Vista), Harry Harsema (Publisher Blauwdruk), Jan Janse (Staatsbosbeheer and NVTL), Aviva Schulze, (Municipality of Leiden), David de Boer (Flux and Young NVTL), Frans Maas (Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture and oldest NVTL member) Jannemarie de Jonge (Wing and CRa).
More information about the calendar of all events to mark 100th anniversary is available here https://nvtl.nl/en/100jaar/
100 milestones
The major transformation of 19th-century Holland was in the hands of the founders of the B.N.T. and the garden and landscape architects and designers who succeeded them. In the first decades parks, estates, public gardens and gardens were realized for various purposes. After the war, under the guise of ‘never going hungry again’, almost 85% of the Netherlands was redesigned through land consolidation and land development projects, assisted by garden and landscape architects.
Landscape architects played an important role in all major spatial projects, from the Zuiderzee Works to the Delta Works, and from urban renewal to Vinex projects. A century full of highlights we can look back on with pride. In 2022 we will make these highlights clear together in a visualization of 100 milestones. You will soon be able to submit a milestone via this page.
100 visions
Which country do we want to live in? Landscape architects have a major role to play in tackling the major challenges the world is facing: climate crisis, agricultural transition, energy transition, housing challenge, restoring biodiversity, etc. We look 100 years ahead and design the Netherlands of 2122. On the basis of material already developed and yet to be developed, the NVTL collects a range of plans, perspectives, visions and outlooks. During the BNSP/NVTL day in July 2022 we will discuss these and explore the cooperation with other spatial disciplines. This day is also the run-up to a ‘design marathon’, in which plans for NL 2122 will be offered as a gift to NL.
