2027 Conference Theme

PARADIGM SHIFT | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Preparing the Discipline and the Profession for a Changing World

2027 Annual Conference
Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel
March 17 – March 20, 2027

CONFERENCE THEME

PARADIGM SHIFT | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
PREPARING THE DISCIPLINE AND THE PROFESSION FOR A CHANGING WORLD

The CELA 2027 Conference welcomes a global community of scholars, educators, and practitioners to engage in critical dialogue about the future of landscape architecture. Join us in Denver as we investigate emerging paradigms, digital and technological advancements, and collaborative solutions that will prepare the discipline to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.

CONFERENCE TRACKS

Fundamental changes and emerging challenges in landscape architecture call for deeper theoretical inquiry, expanded disciplinary reflection, and the development of forward-looking tools, ideas, and practices.

These conditions raise critical questions:

Are we prepared for the next paradigm shift in the field?
What futures await academic and professional practice in LA?
How will the discipline transform its core concepts, assumptions, and methodologies—particularly under the growing influence of digital and technological advancements?

The 2027 CELA Theme PARADIGM SHIFT invites landscape architecture educators, researchers, scholars, and practitioners, along with colleagues from allied disciplines, to contribute work that explores transformative shifts and emergent approaches addressing urgent global challenges.

These include—but are not limited to—urbanization, climate change, migration, biodiversity loss, social inequity, and ecological degradation.

Submissions may take the form of papers, panels, or posters and should aim to foster critical dialogue on disciplinary implications, propose forward-thinking ideas and tools, and articulate actionable pathways for the future of the discipline. The track places particular emphasis on innovative design and planning education, professional practice, regenerative design, nature-based solutions, and interdisciplinary and global collaboration primarily instigated by most recent digital and technological advancements—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, parametric and computational design, and remote sensing and modeling.

Communication & Visualization
Design, Education & Pedagogy
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Geo-Spatial & Digital Analytics
History, Theory & Culture
Landscape as Art *NEW

Accepts papers, panels, posters, and multimedia submissions (i.e., film, and virtual reality) that examine landscape architecture in part as a form of artistic practice, positioning the designed landscape as both aesthetic medium and cultural construct. It invites scholarly contributions that explore how landscapes operate as creative, expressive, spatial, and ecological works shaped by design intention, material processes, and temporal change. Emphasis is placed on the intersections between landscape architecture and art, including land art, site-specific practices, and experimental design interventions (temporal or permanent). The track seeks to advance critical discourse on landscape as representation (virtual or physical), process, and experience, fostering interdisciplinary perspectives that deepen the understanding of landscape architecture, as in part, an artistic discipline and area of practice.

Landscape Architecture for Health
Landscape Performance
Landscape Planning & Ecology
People-Environment Relationship
Research & Methods
Research by Design & Implementation
Resilience & Climate Action
Service-Learning & Community Engagement
Urban Design

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

More details and the abstract submission portal link coming soon.

Abstracts may be submitted as papers, panels, posters, and multi-media submissions ((i.e., film, and virtual reality).
The abstract submission portal will open in early August and will close on September 14, 2026 at which time no more submissions will be received. They are then sent for review with notifications being sent of acceptance or rejection in early December.

Accepted presenters MUST register no later than the early bird deadline – January 31, 2027. Any presenter who is not registered by January 31, 2027 will be automatically removed from the program and will not have a space to present.

Assigned presentation date and time will be announced in Early January, but please plan to attend the full conference as your presentation date and time may be on Thursday March 18, Friday March 19, or Saturday March 20. Requests for preferred date/time of presentation will be considered but not guaranteed.

REGISTRATION

Registration prices will be announced in September and the portal to officially register for the 2027 Annual Conference will open in November.

HOTEL

The 2027 CELA Annual Conference will be held entirely at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel – 1550 Court Pl, Denver, CO 80202.

CELA has negotiated a group rate of $229/night plus taxes and fees.

We ask that you strongly consider booking within our group at the host hotel if you are able. Booking at the host hotel ultimately helps keep CELA financially stable and keep overall conference costs lower for you. As part of our agreement with the hotel, CELA has promised to fill a certain number of hotel guest rooms and if we fall short of that agreement CELA is financially responsible for the remainder.

Link to book your hotel room COMING SOON.

SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS

The CELA Annual Conference brings together a global community of scholars, educators, and practitioners and offers a wide range of opportunities to support CELA and gain valuable exposure for your brand.

For questions or more information on the value of sponsoring the CELA Annual Conference reach out to conference@thecela.org.

TRAVEL VISA NOTICE

International Travel Visas are taking longer and longer for countries to process. If you know you will need a travel visa to attend the CELA Annual Conference, plan now for what you need for your specific visa. CELA will be sending out abstract acceptance notifications in early December. Please be ready to submit your visa application as soon as possible after abstract acceptance notifications.

NEW POSTER SIZES

New in 2027, printed posters can be no larger than 4 feet wide x 4 feet tall. Please design your poster accordingly.