With spring in full swing in the Andes, Esquel is preparing to host a pioneering event: the First Binational Congress on Patagonian Landscape Architecture. Over several days, specialists from Argentina and Chile will gather to debate, learn, and share perspectives on the region. The proposal brings together academic and professional voices from both sides of the Andes., focusing on how to design landscapes that are better prepared for environmental changes.
Promoted by the Undersecretariat of Tourism, the Directorate of Green Spaces, and the Directorate of Productive Development and Entrepreneurship of the municipality, the event emphasizes the landscape as a living infrastructure and its role in urban and rural well-being. The coincidence with the flowering of peonies provides a unique natural setting, and the local public sector emphasizes that the event boosts both event tourism and flower tourism outside of peak season.
Dates, venue and binational scope
The venue will be the Esquel Melipal Cultural Center, where the main sessions will take place. The program extends from a pre-congress with departures on the 27th, two intensive days of congress on the 28th and 29th, and a post-congress with tourist activities on the 30th and 1st. Thus, the agenda combines technical exchange in the classroom and field experiences in the Patagonian environment.
Patagonia's motto and environmental challenges
The meeting's theme, "Toward a Resilient Green Infrastructure," guides a broad debate on the impact of climate change in the region. Among the challenges to be addressed are the reduction of snowfall, the increased frequency of forest fires and urban expansion in interface areas, issues that require adaptive planning and design criteria.
Thematic axes and work methodology
The presentations and discussion spaces are organized along four axes to ensure a comprehensive view. These axes allow the articulation of technical knowledge and local experiences., from water use to context-sensitive design.
- Water: xerophytic and landscaping native species such as Saxegothaea conspicua, efficient resource management in cold and windy climates.
- Biodiversity: ecosystem approach, biological corridors and plant palettes that favor local fauna and flora.
- Fires: fire-resistant landscaping criteria, preventive maintenance and planning in urban-wildland interfaces.
- Design: proposals for composition, materials and solutions adapted to the Patagonian character.
In addition to the lectures, there will be panel discussions, presentations with demonstrations, and open spaces for hobbyists, students, and gardeners. Active participation of local nursery growers and researchers is expected., promoting the exchange between practice and theory.
Program and confirmed speakers
The first day of the congress (Friday the 28th) will feature representatives from Mendoza, while Saturday the 29th will bring together representatives from Chile and various Argentine cities. The list includes profiles with experience in design, restoration and landscape management..
- Ezequiel Romano and Francisco Minati (Mendoza); Sonia MartÃnez and Marina FraguÃo (Mendoza).
- Nicolás Sánchez (Chile); Florencia Mancini (San MartÃn de los Andes); Cristobal Elgueta (Chile); Mariela Schaer (Buenos Aires).
- Pre-congress (Thursday 27th): guided tours.
- Post-congress (Sunday 30th and Monday 1st): tourist outings and complementary activities.
Target audience and territorial scope
The call is open to professionals in landscaping, landscape architecture, and related fields, as well as students and enthusiasts interested in garden and green space design. More than a hundred registrations already confirm their presence from Chile and from Argentine cities such as Bariloche, San MartÃn de los Andes, Villa La Angostura, Comodoro Rivadavia, Puerto Madryn and Mendoza.
The municipality emphasizes that the coordination between Tourism, Green Spaces, and Productive Development allows for the area's productive potential in ornamental and aromatic crops to be highlighted. Tulips, peonies and crocuses appear as emblems of this green identity., with the capacity to strengthen local chains and propose new visiting experiences.
Along with the technical program, there are free, open activities, as well as paid initiatives coordinated with the city's travel agencies. This mixed approach seeks to attract both the local community and specialized travelers, diversifying supply and deseasonalizing demand.
Press coverage will be led by editor LucÃa Cané of the JardÃn magazine of the La Nación Group, which will broaden the event's reach and impact on the professional circuit. The presence of specialized media enhances the visibility of the destination and the congress throughout the region.
Organization and registration
The Undersecretariat of Tourism, the Directorate of Green Spaces, and the Directorate of Productive Development and Entrepreneurship coordinate logistics and content. Registrations and practical information are channeled through the official channels of the municipality. and local agencies, with spaces for workshops and outings based on availability.
Focusing on the resilience of the Patagonian landscape, the event combines technical debate, peer-to-peer exchange, and field experiences in a natural setting that encourages the development of more habitable territories. Definite dates, confirmed speakers and a clear agenda They support a congress that aims to position Esquel as a binational reference in landscaping and as a destination for event tourism and floral tourism.
