Page 13 - Landscape-Issue 156

PERSONALITY PROFILE

need to be said about landscape design and nature in Southern
Africa, and being able to write and publish about this has kept me
motivated. I really enjoy teaching young people who will soon be
professionals needing to make a difference in the field.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of
work?
I love travelling, and have especially enjoyed Latin and Central
America, North and West Africa, and the Middle East. I prefer
travelling without reservations, deciding on the spot where to
go and where to sleep. In our very controlled and planned lives,
it makes me feel alive. As I speak Spanish and French, I enjoy
connecting with people on my travels. When back at home, I
enjoy cooking and baking food from different places. Running
is another escape for me, and I love dancing, music and live
performances. I enjoy time in nature with my family and need to
get away from people to unwind!

Q: What is the current status of landscape
Biodiversity garden at the Javett Art Centre, established in 2019
architecture at university level? Has the degree
changed in recent years?
The undergraduate degree at UP was closed in 2023 after many
years of low student numbers. This created a perception with
students that something changed within the industry, whereas it
was actually a change at the university itself, as it now follows a
stricter financial business model.
We formulated a post-graduate only degree and this opened
in 2025, catering for students with a design background in the
built environment. Architecture remains very popular but there
are many architects with a passion for the environment and
these are the ones that we would like to target nationally. The
new programme focusses on many important global and local
challenges that will put landscape architects at the forefront of
nature-based planning and design, essential in cities worldwide.
Our students fare very well internationally, leading companies
and receiving awards for their further studies. We hope that
Students documenting a real life research project in Atteridgeville, 2022 student numbers will increase as we open up intake from more
universities on the African continent and locally.
Q: What is the status of the landscape architectural
profession and how do you see its future?
I recently attended the IFLA World Congress in France and it
occurred to me that both architecture and landscape architecture
are professions that are often inward looking compared to say,
urban ecology and geography. Nevertheless, designers are in a
unique position to make a significant contribution towards the
change needed in society for sustainable living.
I believe that climate change and biodiversity loss are huge
challenges that will have to be overcome by people who can
impact the exploitation and degradation that have become part of
our daily lives. Every individual will have to play a role to make the
changes needed for us to live within planetary boundaries; I believe
that landscape architects have significant roles to play in achieving
a viable future by designing for all life while retaining place and
cultural identity.

A community workshop on bioswales with Prof. Breed’s research team, 2025 Q: If you could begin again, would you still choose
landscape architecture or change professions?
I do believe in destiny and that landscape architecture provided
Q: Do you prefer academic life to working in a firm of me with a balanced interest between nature and culture. I don’t
landscape architects or for yourself? regret any decision I have taken, so cannot imagine a different
I am a natural project manager and really enjoyed working trajectory. The university allows quite a lot of flexibility in what
in practice. However, when the lecturing post was advertised I teach and research, and this keeps me engaged and interested
at UP, I couldn’t resist applying for it as I also had an ambition in my work.
to work in academia. Initially I found it hard to cope, being Many people in the green industry have given me inspiration
out of touch with practice, but then I started finding ways of due to their passion and love of plants and nature. I am so grateful
implementing community projects with students and creating for that!
biodiversity gardens. This real life component also requires
project management and has kept me sane in the theoretical and https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christina-Breed
abstract academic environment! There are still many things that https://www.up.ac.za/architecture/view/staffprofile/5398

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