This is your weekly international snapshot of what’s happening across landscape architecture, climate adaptation and urban design. Drawing on credible global sources, it highlights key projects, policy developments and research shaping how cities and landscapes are being planned, designed and adapted in response to climate and community needs.

This summary is powered by AI to support timely scanning of international sources. While it aims to surface relevant and high-quality material, it may not capture every news item, project or activity across the sector.

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MONDAY 26 JANUARY

1. Half the world’s 100 largest cities are in high water stress areas, analysis finds
Source: The Guardian (22 Jan 2026)

A new analysis reports that a significant share of the world’s biggest cities are located in areas facing severe water stress. It highlights “day zero” risks and argues that drought, governance, and poor water management are compounding climate impacts in fast-growing urban centres.

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/22/half-world-100-largest-cities-in-high-water-stress-areas-analysis-finds

Primary topic: Climate adaptation / urban design

Era of ‘global water bankruptcy’ is here, UN report says
Source: The Guardian (20 Jan 2026)

A UN report warns that deteriorating water systems and depleted resources are pushing regions into a “water bankruptcy” scenario. Melting glaciers and increasingly extreme wet-dry swings are intensifying pressure on communities, infrastructure, and planning systems.

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/20/era-of-global-water-bankruptcy-is-here-un-report-says

Primary topic: Climate adaptation

Dramatic rise in water-related violence recorded since 2022
Source: The Guardian (23 Jan 2026)

Reporting shows water-related conflict is increasing globally, with drivers including climate stress, corruption, and weak or misused infrastructure. This is a strong reminder that climate adaptation isn’t just technical, it’s also social, political, and deeply connected to equity and access.

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/23/water-related-violence-increase-pacific-institute

Primary topic: Climate adaptation

Landscape Architects Can Scale Up Efforts to Measure Progress on Climate Adaptation
Source: ASLA (The Dirt) (8 Dec 2025)

ASLA outlines how the profession can help lift climate adaptation outcomes through clearer measurement and stronger reporting frameworks. It focuses on making nature-based solutions easier to track, compare, and scale in real-world delivery.

🔗 https://www.asla.org/news-insights/dirt/landscape-architects-can-scale-up-global-efforts-to-measure-progress-on-climate-adaptation

Primary topic: Landscape architecture + climate adaptation

Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Source: The Guardian (20 Jan 2026)

UK intelligence leaders are warning that biodiversity loss is becoming a national security issue, linked to food shortages, instability, and displacement. It reinforces the growing policy shift toward resilience planning that treats nature as essential infrastructure.

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/20/biodiversity-collapse-threatens-uk-security-intelligence-chiefs-warn

Primary topic: Urban design + climate adaptation

Snapshot: key themes this week

• Water stress is becoming a defining urban risk, with “day zero” scenarios and water system breakdowns moving into mainstream global reporting.
• Adaptation is being framed as a security and stability issue, not just a climate or engineering challenge.
• The profession is being pushed toward clearer evidence of impact, especially around measuring nature-based solutions and adaptation outcomes.