Landscape architecture in the contemporary world (1990-now)
Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlif...
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We will begin the day in the classroom, looking at how international artists and landscape architects are responding to the natural world in creative and unexpected ways. You will explore how figures such as Olafur Eliasson, Edgar Calel and Abbas Zahedi have used art to make climate change feel urgent and resonant. In the afternoon, we will visit Tate Modern to see how galleries are bringing these urgent conversations into public spaces. Throughout the day, we will ask how communities can shape the environments they live in, and how nature and people can support one another more sustainably.
Please note: the first part of the day takes place in the classroom at City Lit. During the hour long break in the middle of the day, you will need to travel to Tate Modern for the second part of the class. You are expected to transport yourself to the museum, which approximately a 30 min walk or 20 min bus/tube journey.
Content guidance: one artwork on display at Tate Modern, in the gallery we will visit, contains nude, erotic dancing.
What will we cover?
Explore how landscape architects and artists are responding to today’s pressing environmental challenges, and how creative design can transform the way we think about the world around us.
Explore how communities can become active participants in shaping the green spaces around them.
Visit Tate Modern to see how artists are responding to climate change, and why it matters to all of us
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe how landscape architecture and art can respond to environmental challenges in the contemporary world.
Understand how communities can play an active role in shaping sustainable and resilient environments around them.
Identify how landscape architects use design to make climate issues tangible and meaningful for wider audiences.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
The afternoon portion of this course takes place offsite at the Tate Modern. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught in person with slide presentations, group discussions and a visit to Tate Modern.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
Please be advised, on weekends, the City Lit cafe is closed. There are many coffee shops and eateries within a 2-5 min walk from the college.
Xinrui Zhang completed her PhD in History of Art at the University of York. She specialises in art and landscape architecture in China from a global perspective, with a focus on the contemporary period. She has taught art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, SOAS and York. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She holds an MA in History of Art from the Courtauld and a BA in History of Art (Asia, Africa and Europe) from SOAS. Before starting her PhD, she worked as a curator in London and previously worked at Christie’s.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/landscape-architecture-in-the-contemporary-world-1990-now3048796Landscape architecture in the contemporary world (1990-now)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/a/landscape-architecture-in-the-contemporary-world-1990-now-vb321-1024.jpg4949GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Galleries, collecting & curating22851136117718921228511771136<p>Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlife and cool city streets, smart design can make a real difference in building resilient futures.</p>003048784Landscape architecture in the contemporary world (1990-now)4949https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/a/landscape-architecture-in-the-contemporary-world-1990-now-vb321-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB3214949Landscape architecture in the contemporary world (1990-now)494949Xinrui Zhanglandscape-architecture-in-the-contemporary-world-1990-now/vb321-2627<p>Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlife and cool city streets, smart design can make a real difference in building resilient futures.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-24 00:00:00<p>We will begin the day in the classroom, looking at how international artists and landscape architects are responding to the natural world in creative and unexpected ways. You will explore how figures such as Olafur Eliasson, Edgar Calel and Abbas Zahedi have used art to make climate change feel urgent and resonant. In the afternoon, we will visit Tate Modern to see how galleries are bringing these urgent conversations into public spaces. Throughout the day, we will ask how communities can shape the environments they live in, and how nature and people can support one another more sustainably.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: the first part of the day takes place in the classroom at City Lit. During the hour long break in the middle of the day, you will need to travel to Tate Modern for the second part of the class. You are expected to transport yourself to the museum, which approximately a 30 min walk or 20 min bus/tube journey.</p><p>Content guidance: one artwork on display at Tate Modern, in the gallery we will visit, contains nude, erotic dancing.</p><p>Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlife and cool city streets, smart design can make a real difference in building resilient futures.</p><ul><li>Explore how landscape architects and artists are responding to today’s pressing environmental challenges, and how creative design can transform the way we think about the world around us.</li><li>Explore how communities can become active participants in shaping the green spaces around them.</li><li>Visit Tate Modern to see how artists are responding to climate change, and why it matters to all of us</li></ul><ul><li>Describe how landscape architecture and art can respond to environmental challenges in the contemporary world.</li><li>Understand how communities can play an active role in shaping sustainable and resilient environments around them.</li><li>Identify how landscape architects use design to make climate issues tangible and meaningful for wider audiences.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>The afternoon portion of this course takes place offsite at the Tate Modern. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>You will be taught in person with slide presentations, group discussions and a visit to Tate Modern.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Please be advised, on weekends, the City Lit cafe is closed. There are many coffee shops and eateries within a 2-5 min walk from the college.</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingvirtual494949VB321NONESat24/10/2610:30 - 15:3010:3015:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetXinrui ZhangBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities4949Landscape architecture in the contemporary world (1990-now)landscape-architecture-in-the-contemporary-world-1990-now/vb321-2627<p>Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlife and cool city streets, smart design can make a real difference in building resilient futures.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-24 00:00:00<p>We will begin the day in the classroom, looking at how international artists and landscape architects are responding to the natural world in creative and unexpected ways. You will explore how figures such as Olafur Eliasson, Edgar Calel and Abbas Zahedi have used art to make climate change feel urgent and resonant. In the afternoon, we will visit Tate Modern to see how galleries are bringing these urgent conversations into public spaces. Throughout the day, we will ask how communities can shape the environments they live in, and how nature and people can support one another more sustainably.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: the first part of the day takes place in the classroom at City Lit. During the hour long break in the middle of the day, you will need to travel to Tate Modern for the second part of the class. You are expected to transport yourself to the museum, which approximately a 30 min walk or 20 min bus/tube journey.</p><p>Content guidance: one artwork on display at Tate Modern, in the gallery we will visit, contains nude, erotic dancing.</p><p>Our cities and green spaces are being reimagined to tackle climate change and bring communities together. This course explores how international landscape architects and artists are transforming urban areas, creating parks, restoring wetlands and building greener neighbourhoods that work for both people and nature. From designing urban parks that absorb rainwater and prevent flooding, to restoring wetlands that shelter wildlife and cool city streets, smart design can make a real difference in building resilient futures.</p><ul><li>Explore how landscape architects and artists are responding to today’s pressing environmental challenges, and how creative design can transform the way we think about the world around us.</li><li>Explore how communities can become active participants in shaping the green spaces around them.</li><li>Visit Tate Modern to see how artists are responding to climate change, and why it matters to all of us</li></ul><ul><li>Describe how landscape architecture and art can respond to environmental challenges in the contemporary world.</li><li>Understand how communities can play an active role in shaping sustainable and resilient environments around them.</li><li>Identify how landscape architects use design to make climate issues tangible and meaningful for wider audiences.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>The afternoon portion of this course takes place offsite at the Tate Modern. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>You will be taught in person with slide presentations, group discussions and a visit to Tate Modern.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Please be advised, on weekends, the City Lit cafe is closed. There are many coffee shops and eateries within a 2-5 min walk from the college.</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingconfigurable
