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Landscape Studies

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to develop an understanding of the profession of landscape architect and its role in improving the quality of people's living environment. To understand the interpretation of the landscape concept in the context of legislative documents and human perception, the multifaceted nature of the landscape. To acquire knowledge about landscape forming factors and arrangement principles of landscape spatial structure. To understand landscape formation processes in the past and possible development scenarios in relation with human perception and economic activities. The study course will provide an introduction to the specialty of landscape architecture.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: Students have knowledge of the use of the concept of landscape in various regulatory documents and differences in landscape perception. Knowledge of landscape-forming factors, the historical development and typology of Latvia's landscapes. Knowledge of the knowledge, skills, and competencies required in the profession of a landscape architect. Assessment of acquired knowledge – Practical work and laboratory tasks: PW 1. Research on landscape-forming factors; LW 1. Determining soil skeletal content; LW2.Granulometric composition and carbonate content using the field method; LW 3.Determining soil active and exchangeable acidity; LW 4.Determining humus content using the I. Tyurin method and the field method; LW 5.Classification and identification of minerals and rocks in field and laboratory conditions; LW 6.Analysis, interpretation, and cross-sectional creation of geological borehole data; LW 7.Field research on Latvian geology; LW 8.Collection and preparation of herbarium samples; LW 9.Characteristics of tree species and families; LW 10. Development of compositions of flowering plants and grasses; PW 3. Factors influencing changes in Latvia's landscapes; PW 4. Landscape characterization in Latvia. Exam.
Skills: Students have the skills to identify landscape types based on various elements and spatial structures. Skills to use regulatory documents related to landscape planning to define restrictions and planning conditions for various functional zones. Assessment of acquired skills – PW 5.Restrictions for planning near rivers; PW 6. Transformation of agricultural landscape; PW 7.Principles of forest landscape planning. Exam.
Competencies: Students are capable of conducting pre-design research of an area, compiling information on natural and anthropogenic factors, as well as on the spatial structure and elements of the landscape. Assessment of acquired competencies – PW 8.Visual and spatial elements of the landscape; PW 9.Topographic plan. Exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Lecture. Interpretation of the concept of landscape in the context of regulatory acts and human perception (2h). Practical work (4h): 1.Urban environment issues and their solutions in the context of landscape architecture.
2. Lecture. Exogenous geological processes. Groundwater. Soil formation and influencing factors. Soil typology and characteristics of the most widespread soils in Latvia (2h).
Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 1.Determining soil skeletal content.2.Granulometric composition and carbonate content using the field method. / 5.Classification and identification of minerals and rocks in field and laboratory conditions.
3. Lecture. Geological structure of Latvia. Glacial geological processes and the relief forms they create. Soil fertility and chemical composition, hydro-physical, aero-physical, and thermal properties of soils (2h). Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 3. Determining soil active and exchangeable acidity. 4. Determining humus content using the I. Tyurin method and the field method. / 6. Analysis, interpretation, and cross-sectional creation of geological borehole data.
4. Field session. Geomorphology and soil. Lectures (2h). Outdoor laboratory tasks (4h): 7. Field research on Latvian geology.
5. Lecture. Classification and characteristics of organisms. Vegetation. Phytocenosis (2h). Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 8. Principles of herbarium preparation. Plant processing. Collection and preparation of herbarium samples.
6. Field session. Vegetation and dendrology. Lectures (2h). Outdoor laboratory tasks in groups (4h): Conditions required for vegetation development. Tree identification in nature.
7. Lecture. Tree families (2h). Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 8. Collection and preparation of herbarium samples.
8. Lecture. Tree families (2h). Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 9. Characteristics of tree families.
9. Lecture. Flowering plants and grass families (2h). Laboratory tasks in groups (4h): 10. Development of compositions of flowering plants and grasses.
10. Lecture. Landscape-forming factors. Construction climatology. Historical development of Latvian landscapes (2h). Practical work (4h): 2. Research on landscape-forming factors. 3. Factors influencing changes in Latvia’s landscapes.
11. Lecture. Latvian landscape types, classification, and regulatory framework (2h). Practical work (4h): 4. Landscape characterization in Latvia.
12. Lecture. Urban landscape. Water area landscape (2h). Practical work (4h): 5. Restrictions for planning near rivers.
13. Lecture. Agricultural land landscape. Forest landscape (2h). Practical work (4h): 6. Transformation of agricultural land. 7. Principles of forest landscape planning.
14. Lecture. Visual spatial structure of landscapes (2h). Practical work (4h): 8. Visual spatial structural elements of landscapes.
15. Lecture. Landscape analysis (2h). Practical work (4h): 9. Topographic plan.

16. Lecture. Profession of a landscape architect (2h). Practical work (4h): 10. Research on directions in landscape architecture, interviews with professionals in the field.

Requirements for awarding credit points

A written exam consisting of a summary of the study course topics. All laboratory and practical work must be successfully completed and evaluated before the exam. It is possible to receive an accumulated exam grade if all laboratory and practical work has been submitted, defended, and successfully evaluated in accordance with the course schedule.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Preparation, formatting, and readiness for the defense of laboratory and practical work. Preparation for the Exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The exam grade is based on the average evaluation of all covered topics. Before the exam, all laboratory and practical work must be successfully completed and evaluated based on their compliance with the assigned tasks.

Compulsory reading

1. Kurše P., Athauss D., Gabriēls I. (1995) Ekoloģiskā būvniecība. Rīga: Preses Nams. 398lpp.
2. Bokalders V., Bloka M. (2013) Ekoloģiskās būvniecības rokasgrāmata. Kā projektēt veselīgas, racionālas un ilgtspējīgas ēkas. Rīga: Biedrība Domas spēks. 691 lpp.
3. Vides zinātne (2008) M.Kļaviņš (red.) Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 599 lpp.
4. Vides un ilgtspējīga attīstība (2010) M. Kļaviņš, J.Zaļoksnis (red.) Rīga: LU akadēmiskais apgāds. 334. lpp.
5. Švarcbahs J., Sudārs R., Jansons V., Zīverts A., Kļaviņš U., Dreimanis Ē., Bušmanis P. (2006) Ekoloģija un vides aizsardzība. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU. 225 lpp.
6. Ņitavska N., Zigmunde D. (2013) Zaļas pilsētvides plānošana. Rokasgrāmata. Jelgava: Zemgales plānošanas regions. 30 lpp.
7. Ainavu aizsardzība. Nozares pārskats rajona plānojuma izstrādāšanai (2000) Rīga: Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija. 92 lpp.
8. James A., LaGro Jr. (2008) Site Analysis: A Contextual Approach to Sustainable Land Planning and Site Design. 357 p.
9. Skujāne D., Ņitavska N., Markova M., Spāģe A., Grīnfelde I. (2022). Teritoriju plānošana un integrēta dabas resursu pārvaldība. Pārrobežu sadarbības programmas 2014-2020 projekts "Sticky Urban Areas", Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte, Jelgava, 2022. 71 lpp. ISBN 9789984484013
10.Ainavu izpētes un novērtēšanas pieejas Latvijā: metodoloģisks materiāls ar piemēriem (2023) (red. I.Stokmane, D.Skujāne). Jelgava: LBTU. 198 lpp.

11.Digitālais Latvijas Ainavu atlants (2023). Pieejams: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6c0b5c1cfaaa4bffb3c44b79158cd93c/

Further reading

1. Dee C. Form and Fabric in Landscape Architecture: A Visual Introduction. Francys & Taylors group, 2001. 214 p.
2. Steiner F., Butler. K. (2007) Planning and urban design standarts. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. 436 p.
3. Thompson I.H. (1999) Ecology, Community and Delight. London: E&FN Spon. 188 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Architektūra: arhitektūras, dizaina un vides apskats. Rīga: Lilita, 1995- Burtn. ISSN 1407-4923
2. Dārza Pasaule. Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds. ISSN 1407-5172.
3. Journal of Landscape Architecture (Jola). [tiešsaiste] Online ISSN: 2164-604X. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rjla20

4. Zinātniskais žurnāls Landscape Architecture and Art. ISSN 2255–8632 print; ISSN 2255–8640 online

Notes

Compulsory course in full-time studies of study program "Landscape Architecture and Planning" (Bachelor). The study course is also taught in English.