On 22 and 23 January 2027, around 600 landscape architects from German-speaking countries will gather for the bdla Site Managers’ Forum, their profession’s annual training and networking event. The event will take place at the Stadthalle Hagen.
Once again, the focus is on a series of presentations from the world of construction practice and updates on regulatory frameworks. The legal topic examines the relationship between the client, the civil engineer and the landscape architect, and addresses the correct course of action when conflicts arise during the construction phase. Other topics include circular construction, underground climate adaptation, lighting design and sustainable construction with concrete, as well as large-format paving, audit procedures and safety on water play areas.
The lecture on invoice verification can be explored in greater depth on the second day as part of the optional afternoon programme, in a seminar on the mathematical verification of hard and soft cost variations. In addition, there is a seminar on shrub pruning and a choice of four exciting excursions: the grounds of the former Goldzack factory in Wuppertal, the Hengsteysee Beach Club in Hagen, Bochum City Park and the IGA 2027 Future Garden in Lünen (under construction).
Programme for the 2027 Site Managers’ Discussions
Friday, 22 January 2027
From 9.30 am
Conference registration
10.00 am
Welcome and introduction
by Prof. Stephan Lenzen, bdla President, RMP Stephan Lenzen Landscape Architects, Bonn
Update 2026
: News from the fabulous world of regulations
– Tom Kirsten, bdla Spokesperson for Construction Technology and Standardisation
The client–landscaping contractor–landscape architect
triangle: How to handle potential conflicts during the construction phase
Dr Sebastian Schattenfroh, specialist solicitor for construction and architectural law, Gaßner, Groth, Siederer & Coll. Partnership of Solicitors, Legal Adviser to the bdla, Berlin
12.30 – 1.45 pm Lunch break
Quo vadis circular construction? – Dismantlable structures and recyclable building materials
Prof. Annette Hillebrandt, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chair of Building Construction/Design/Materials Science, University of Wuppertal
Climate adaptation starts underground!
Ideas for blue-green infrastructure
Dr Carlo W. Becker, bgmr Landscape Architects, Berlin
15.45 – 16.15 Coffee break
Large-format
surface paving Prof. Dr Carsten Koch, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology, Institute for Building Materials, Geotechnics, Transport and Water (IBGVW), Cologne University of Applied Sciences
Lighting design/light pollution
: causes, consequences, solutions
Manuel Philipp, Paten der Nacht gGmbH, Rimsting
approx. 6.45 pm End of the first day of the event
Optional: 7.00 pm – 11.00 pm Get-together on site
. Registration required; snacks and drinks available until 9.00 pm (€35 per person)
; from 9.00 pm, drinks at your own expense
Saturday, 23 January 2027
9.00 am
Introduction
by Tom Kirsten, bdla spokesperson for construction engineering and standardisation
The billing process begins with the preparation of the specifications and ends with the RPA. Dos and don’ts of invoice verification
: Prof. Martin Thieme-Hack, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
10.15 – 10.45 am Coffee break
Sustainable Construction with Concrete
: Dr Hans-Werner Krauss, Lowke Schiessl Ingenieure, Braunschweig
Safety on water play areas
: Friedrich Blume, Playground Expertise Office, Sassenberg
12.45 – 14.00 Lunch break
From 2.00 pm Seminars & excursions (optional, subject to a fee)
2.00 pm – approx. 4.30 pm
SEMINARS
Calculated verification of hard and soft fill
Prof. Martin Thieme-Hack, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Pruning shrubs – species-appropriate and creative
Barbara Gerlach, Master Gardener and Tree Inspector, Rinkerode
2.00 pm – approx. 5.00 pm
EXCURSIONS
A: Outdoor grounds of the Wiesenwerke (former Goldzack factory), Wuppertal
Planning: Sowatorini Landschaft, Bochum
Client: Montag Stiftung Urbane Räume
Excursion leader: Prof. Sebastian Sowa, Sowatorini Landschaft
After the excursion, transfer to Wuppertal Central Station
B: Hengsteysee Beach Club, Hagen
Design: schramm + partner Landscape Architects, Bremen; ANSSP Architects, Hamburg
Excursion leaders: Wolfgang Schramm, schramm + partner;
Sven Schäfer, ANSSP Architects
After the excursion, transfer to Hagen Central Station
C: Bochum
City Park Planning: City of Bochum, RMPSL Landscape Architects, Bonn
Excursion leaders: Doreen Wippermann, RMPSL Landscape Architects, with
Hartmut Henseler, Site Manager, RMPSL Landscape Architects
; Imke Poeschel, Project Manager, Environment and Green Spaces Department, City of Bochum
. Welcome: Philipp Heidt, Head of the Environment and Green Spaces Department, City of Bochum
. After the end of the excursion, transfer to Bochum Central Station
D: IGA 2027 Future Garden, Lünen (under construction)
Design: IGA 2027, Greenbox Landscape Architects, Cologne
Excursion leaders: Felix von Cube, Site Manager, and Ron Firmenich, Project Manager, Greenbox Landscape Architects
; Monika Teiner, Project Manager for Open Space Planning, City of Lünen
. After the end of the excursion, transfer to Dortmund Central Station
Concept and moderation
: Tom Kirsten, freelance landscape architect, Pirna, bdla spokesperson for construction technology and standards
With the kind support of
- Latitude: 0
- Longitude: 0
