Kimberly Tryba, managing principal of LILA Landscape Architecture in New York reflects on the whirlwind of MIPIM, calls for landscape architecture to take centre stage at future events, and discusses the rewarding challenge of growing her practice’s international presence.

How are you enjoying MIPIM?
It’s a whirlwind! Even with it being my sixth year attending, I’m always amazed by how much there is to see and learn. It’s been a fantastic year of reconnecting with existing friends and colleagues and making new connections. As a NYC-based landscape architecture practice, we enjoy MIPIM and the opportunities it provides to connect with the international property world to share ideas and, thanks to the wonderful waterfront of Cannes, have a good time.

What do you hope to achieve by coming here?
In addition to world-class networking and business development opportunities it offers, MIPIM allows me to promote the critical role of landscape architecture in urban climate change resilience to key decision makers – often at a point prior to the outset of the project development process. If I could achieve one thing, it’s that everyone I talk to leaves with a better understanding of the power of landscape-led development. And the importance of fusing disciplines in architecture, landscape, planning, and horticulture to deliver holistic, community-centred solutions.

And is it working out? 
Yes, and like most things, you get out what you put in. You need to be very organised to make the most of all the opportunities – and have a lot of stamina! I’m energised by everything going on around me, and the sense of camaraderie, so it’s fun too.

What’s been the highlight for you?
Honestly, it’s difficult to pick just one! There have been quite a few. Let’s say it was joining a panel on the Oman stand to talk about Future Horizons in Climate Resilience. Oman is developing a number of remarkable new cities in a country where extreme heat and rising sea levels pose a huge challenge and where landscape design will make the difference between success and failure. I felt privileged to be able to contribute to the debate, and to emphasise the absolute necessity of focusing on landscape from the very beginning.

If you could change one thing about MIPIM, what would it be?
Bring landscape-led development to the centre of the event. Make landscape the main theme in 2026. Encourage stands, events and awards to focus on the landscape and look beyond the four walls of buildings to the environment they sit in and the inherent value it brings. Landscape design is about environmental regeneration and resilience, health and well-being, and creating connection that enhances communities. It’s about people, nature and joy. And the economics of collaborative, landscape-led design, especially in financially uncertain times, offers promising benefits.

What are you working on at the moment? 
I’m building an international practice for LILA, looking for potential partners around the world. I sit on a number of boards affiliated with the American Society of Landscape Architects and other affiliated industry organisations, and I teach at both the Nre York Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, so I have a full diary.

What keeps you awake at night?
Wondering how I’m going to save the world through landscape architecture while fitting in all of the above!