Margarida Cancela d’Abreu is one of Portugal’s most respected landscape architects, renowned for her contributions to landscape architecture education, environmental planning, and professional advocacy. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the Higher Institute of Agronomy in Lisbon in 1971 and has dedicated her career to promoting the integration of ecological principles, public interest, and humanistic values in planning and design.

She began her professional career at the National Housing Institute, where she contributed to housing developments and the planning of green spaces. Between 1975 and 1986, she worked at the National Environmental Department, helping to shape Portugal’s environmental and land-use planning legislation. From 1987 until her retirement in 2011, she served in the Regional Department of Alentejo, where she held the position of Regional Director for Land Use Planning for two decades.

Alongside her professional work, Margarida played a pivotal role in landscape architecture education. From 1976 to 2011, she taught at the University of Évora, helping to educate and inspire generations of landscape architects. Her commitment to knowledge sharing and professional development has been a defining feature of her career.

A strong advocate for sustainable development and environmental stewardship, she served as a member of the European Consultative Forum on the Environment and Sustainable Development (DG XI) from 1994 to 2001. She was also a founding member of the Portuguese Association of Landscape Architects (APAP) in 1976 and later served as its President from 2009 to 2012.

At the international level, Margarida has been a longstanding representative of Portugal within IFLA and IFLA Europe. She has contributed significantly to the advancement of landscape architecture education through her involvement in the IFLA Europe Education Committee, where she has been active since 2001.

Through her work in public administration, academia, and professional organizations, Margarida Cancela d’Abreu has left a lasting legacy in landscape planning, environmental policy, and the education of future generations of landscape architects.