Naheyan Islam

Naheyan Islam was drawn to the field of landscape architecture for its integration of natural elements with the built environment. “This interdisciplinary approach not only fulfils my passion for creating harmonious spaces but also addresses the urgent need for sustainable and resilient urban landscapes in a rapidly changing world,” shares the third-year MLA student.

Her programme’s practical approach has deepened her understanding of this multi-faceted field. A notable experience has been Islam’s role as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Community Design Lab (CDL) under Chad Hunter, a CDL Project Manager. Collaborating with the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance programme, she has worked on developing a recreation and land management plan for a new reservoir in Sullivan County, Missouri. This project involves extensive community and stakeholder engagement, particularly focusing on the significant Hispanic population in the area, ensuring inclusive participation through materials in Spanish.

In the LA 604: City Matters studio, she and her classmates tackled the challenge of redesigning the coastal tourist city of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, for climate resilience by 2080. A field trip to Miami provided firsthand insights.

“It allowed us to observe how coastal cities function and the various elements designed by landscape architects and urban planners at the city level,” she shares. “It’s safe to say my ISU journey has been instrumental in shaping my career aspirations and understanding of landscape architecture's global context.”