Landscape Middle East Magazine - April 2020

In this issue

Like everyone around the world, we are adapting to the new norm of staying at home in order to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. However, that hasn’t stopped us from bringing you an online edition of the magazine to keep you informed about all that’s happening in the landscape industry in the GCC and beyond. “Without trees, life could not exist on earth. There would be no rain, our soils would be unprotected, and the air would be unsuitable for breathing.” We need trees now more than ever! That’s why it’s essential for landscape professionals to use the best quality trees in their designs. Laith Wark from Verdaus Landscape shares his tips to select good quality tree stock at the nursery. The collective effort over the past few years amongst landscape architects in the region to utilise native plants and trees in their designs is reaping the rewards as we see several large-scale projects with a large percentage of home-grown plants and species. Charles Lamb takes us to the emirate of Ras al Khaimah to showcase its wide variety of Arabian plants, as well as a new hotel project which has utilised the local wildflowers in its design. We get a sneak peek behind the landscaping machine that is supplying the hundreds of native species that will line the streets of EXPO 2020 Dubai. We also get an insight into the public realm design for one of the region’s biggest ever events. Finally, we are so grateful to get the opportunity to pay tribute in this issue to our dear friend and landscape architect Richard Bodeker. His work has been of particular importance to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To learn more about his legacy projects that will no doubt inspire a younger generation for years to come.