News from the construction industry and updates on regulations

29th bdla Site Managers’ Conference on 22 and 23 January 2027 in Hagen

On 22 and 23 January 2027, the Association of German Landscape Architects (bdla) is hosting the 29th Site Managers’ Conference. Around 600 landscape architects from German-speaking countries are expected to attend this annual professional development and networking event. The event will take place at the Stadthalle Hagen.

Nachricht · 21.10.2026

Plant diversity rather than exclusion lists

The bdla’s position on the use of allergen-related plants in urban green spaces. 

Climate change is fundamentally altering the conditions for urban greening. Milder winters, longer growing seasons and increased CO₂ concentrations mean that plants flower earlier and for longer, and in some cases produce more pollen. For people with allergies, this means a noticeable increase in symptoms. It is understandable that local authorities wish to respond to this, and the topic of allergy-friendly urban design is consequently gaining greater professional significance.

Nachricht · 21.10.2026

Prof. Dr Wolfgang Haber, an expert on nature conservation and environmental protection, has died

Professor Emeritus Dr Dr h. c. Wolfgang Haber, often referred to as the ‘father of landscape ecology in Germany’, passed away on 13 August 2026, shortly before his 101st birthday. For more than half a century, Wolfgang Haber had provided scientific support for nature conservation and environmental protection in Germany and helped shape these fields internationally; he was involved in the establishment of the Bavarian Forest and Berchtesgaden National Parks, as well as in the development of biotope mapping. 

Nachricht · 17.08.2026

Making cities cooler. 20 recommendations from the bdla for local authorities dealing with heat stress

The heatwave in June and July 2026 has shown once again that our towns and local authorities must better equip themselves to cope with the consequences of climate change. Heatwaves are occurring more frequently, lasting longer and placing a strain on people, infrastructure and urban green spaces alike. In densely built-up neighbourhoods in particular, heat and pollutants build up, whilst the night-time cooling effect is increasingly failing to materialise. Coping with summer heat is therefore becoming a key challenge for many local authorities in the years ahead.

Nachricht · 04.08.2026