Jacek Kuśmierski Joins the Network of European Landscape Architecture Archives
The Network of European Landscape Architecture Archives (NELA) is an international platform for collaboration bringing together archives, researchers, and institutions dedicated to the history of landscape architecture. Its mission is to foster knowledge exchange, advance research, and support the preservation of Europe’s landscape heritage. Jacek Kuśmierski, Vice President of the Eduard Petzold Foundation, has joined the network to contribute to international efforts in safeguarding landscape heritage.
Network of European Landscape Architecture Archives (NELA) is an international initiative connecting institutions and individuals engaged in landscape architecture, its history, and documentation. Its core objectives include promoting the exchange of experiences, conducting joint research, developing education, and raising awareness of the importance of landscape archives as a vital part of Europe’s cultural heritage. NELA’s activities focus on:
- Collecting, digitising, processing, and making archival materials accessible
- Promoting research into the history of open spaces
- Integrating archives with professional practice and the teaching of landscape architecture
- Strengthening cooperation among institutions across Europe
The network was founded in 2019 during the ECLAS (European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools) conference held in Ås, Norway. It was initiated by three leading European archives: Historical Archive of Norwegian Landscape Architecture (ANLA), Archive for Swiss Landscape Architecture (ASLA), and Archive of Austrian Landscape Architecture (LArchiv). Since its inception, NELA has grown dynamically, bringing together an increasing number of experts, archivists, researchers, and practitioners.
Jacek Kuśmierski, Vice Chair of the Eduard Petzold Foundation, becomes the second Polish representative in this network. Membership provides access to a wealth of expert knowledge, opportunities for participation in research and educational projects, and active involvement in efforts to preserve landscape architecture archives and Europe’s cultural heritage.