The city was named on Monday as the venue for the 2016 International Federation of Landscape Architects Asia-Pacific Congress after local delegates tabled the ACT bid at the 2014 congress in Kuching, Malaysia, last month. Other bids were lodged by Japan and Hong Kong.

Ms Moulis cited New Acton's Time Thief Plaza, with its marriage of heritage, architectural and modern sculptural elements, as just one of many ACT jewels that will be showcased on the world stage in two years.

Ms Moulis, who was drawn to landscape architecture by her love of open spaces, said because of its proximity to the city and key conference venues the plaza would serve as one of the hubs of the 2016 event.

It uses art, plants and space to link shops, cafes and restaurants with nearby apartment buildings and has won more awards than any other design project in Canberra’s history.

Designed by Oculus and featuring art by Robin Blau, Kevin Perkins and David Jensz, the plaza is a world-class example of urban landscape design that has the ability to alter people's states of mind, bring individuals and groups together and provoke thought and contemplation, she said.

``[The conference] is an exciting opportunity to promote Canberra and its landscape architecture; Australian landscape architecture is at an exciting time in the profession's history.''

Ms Moulis is hopeful that as well as demonstrating what has already been achieved in the ACT, the conference will also draw attention to the many ways landscape architecture and design can contribute to ``big picture'' social goals such as public health and sustainability.

``It is inconceivable you would find a better place for the [2016] congress than this,'' she said. ``We have so much access to a quality landscape continuum that ranges from sophisticated urban design (such as Time Thief Plaza) to the untouched wilderness of Namadgi National Park and everything in between.’’

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects also marks the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 2016.

Changes in the way in which people live in Canberra, such as the shift away from the traditional suburban block to apartment living, mean landscape architecture will become increasingly important and more challenging.

``Even now we are always balancing a competing array of possibilities for the available space.

``These include the need of a developer to make a profit, infrastructure requirements, people’s individual and human needs and the issue of sustainability."

More than 500 people from 15 different countries are expected to travel to Canberra for the 2016 congress.