Between 2026 and 2028, the HORTALAB landscape laboratory will carry out the following types of activities to develop and evaluate our capacity for systemic thinking: (1) diagnosis, definition of strategies and design of systemic proposals for the landscape of L’Horta Sud, (2) collaboration with different subjects and courses of the Polytechnic University of Valencia for the purposes indicated in point (1); 3 collaboration in the organization of the European Landscape Forum 2027 and the International Student Competition 2026-2027. In addition, the HORTALAB will interact and exchange experiences with the other laboratories in the network. The activities organized by HORTALAB will be conducted in different municipalities and organizations to facilitate the participation of as many people as possible.
NEW!: ACTIVITY 4 (HORTALAB): WORKSHOP PHASE 1: JOINT DEFINITION OF TOPICS AND CALENDAR FOR THE LANDSCAPE LABORATORY OF L’HORTA SUD (HORTALAB): Participate in the definition of the TOPICS that will structure the activity of the HORTALAB Laboratory until 2028 and in the calendar for its different types of activities (diagnosis, objectives, and solutions for the landscape of L’Horta Sud).
- PLACE: ALFAFAR (Alfafar Municipal Center for the Elderly, Calle Estación, 2)
- DATE AND TIME: June 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY: Teamwork with residents of different ages and profiles from the municipalities and districts of L’Horta Sud to define the TOPICS that in your opinion are essential to address the future of the region
- WHAT SHOULD I DO? You don’t need to prepare anything. All you have to do is come and participate in the activities we have prepared for you in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
ACTIVITY 3 (ACADEMIC): PRESENTATION OF RESULTS FROM THE WORKSHOP ON URBANISM, TERRITORY AND LANDSCAPE PROJECTS In this session, the projects carried out by students from the UPV School of Architecture were presented. These works illustrate the landscape evolution of the middle stretch of the Rambla del Poyo throughout history (past, present, future scenarios, and proposals in strategic areas). A brief debate followed the presentations.
- LOCATION: BENETÚSSER (Plenary Hall, Benetússer City Hall, Calle Miguel Hernández, 30).
- DATE AND TIME: May 26, 2026 (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: project presentations and refreshments).
- SUMMARY IN REGIONAL NEWSPAPER: https://www.levante-emv.com/horta/2026/05/29/benetusser-acoge-presentacion-final-trabajos-proyectos-lola-130806992.html
- SUMMARY IN LOCAL NEWSPAPER: https://elmeridiano.es/estudiantes-de-la-upv-presentan-en-benetusser-propuestas-urbanisticas-para-afrontar-el-cambio-climatico-en-lhorta-sud/
ACTIVITY 2 (ACADEMIC): WORKSHOP ON URBANISM, TERRITORY AND LANDSCAPE PROJECTS 2026
During the spring term 2025-2026, national and Erasmus students of the 5th year of the Bachelor Degree in Architecture worked with the people of Benetússer developing conceptual models of the landscape of L’Horta Sud and seeing how these models could explain the landscapes of the past (years 2000 BC, 1400 AD and 1950 AD), the present and the future
ACTIVITY 1 (HORTALAB): KICKOFF MEETING OF THE HORTALAB
On February 23, 2026, the kick-off meeting of the Local Laboratory of the L’Horta Sud Landscape (HORTALAB) takes place in Benetússer with the presence of representatives of the municipalities and neighbourhood associations that joined the LOLA project from the beginning.