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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

Students have knowledge of the application of the concept of landscape in various normative documents, different perception of landscape. Knowledge of landscape forming factors, historical development and typology of Latvian landscape. Knowledge of skills and competencies required for the profession of landscape architect. Evaluation of the acquired knowledge - 1st laboratory work. Interpretation of the concept of landscape; 2nd laboratory work. Assessment of forming factors of landscape; 3rd laboratory work. Research of Latvian geology (field studies); 4th laboratory work. Soil probing; 5th laboratory work. Herbarium; 6th laboratory work. Characteristics of tree`s families; 7th laboratory work. Factors influencing changes in the Latvian landscape; 8th laboratory work. Typology of Latvian landscape; Written exam.
Have skills to recognize landscape types by specific elements and spatial structure. Skills to use normative documents related to landscape planning to determine restrictions and permitted planning conditions for different functional areas. Evaluation of acquired skills - 9th laboratory work. Planning restrictions in river landscape; 10th laboratory work. Principles of forest landscape planning.
Competences: are able to carry out assessment of the project areas, collecting information on natural and anthropogenic factors, as well as on the spatial structure and elements of the landscape. Evaluation of acquired competencies - 11th laboratory work. Elements of landscape visual spatial structure; 12th laboratory work. Topographic plan.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Lecture. Interpretation of the concept of landscape in the context of legislative documents and human perception (1h) 1st Laboratory work. Interpretation of the concept of landscape (2h). Lecture. Landscape forming factors. Building climatology (1h). 2nd laboratory work. Assessment of forming factors of landscape (2h)
2. Lecture. Geological structure of Latvia (1h). Lecture. Geological processes of glaciers and formed relief forms (1h). Lecture. Exogenous geological processes (1h). Lecture. Groundwater (1h). 3rd laboratory work. Research of Latvian geology (field studies) (5h). Lecture. Soil classification (2h). Lecture. Soil formation processes (2h). 4th laboratory work. Soil probing (5h)
3. Lecture. Classification and characterization of organisms (1h). Lecture. Vegetation. Phytocenosis (1h). Lecture. Flower and grass plants families (2h). 5th laboratory work. Herbarium (2h)
4. 5th Laboratory work. Herbarium (6h)
5. Lecture. Tree plants (4h). 6th laboratory work. Characteristics of trees families (2h)
6. 6th Laboratory work. Characteristics of trees families (2h)
7. Lecture. Historical development of the Latvian landscape (1h). 7th laboratory work. Factors influencing changes in the Latvian landscape (5h)
8. Lecture. Latvian landscape types, classification, normative framework (1h) 8th laboratory work. Typology of Latvian landscape (5h)
9. Lecture. Urban landscape (1h). Lecture. Landscape of water areas (1h). 9th laboratory work. Planning restrictions in river landscape (4h)
10. Lecture. Agricultural landscape (1h). Lecture. Forest landscape (1h) 10th laboratory work. Principles of forest landscape planning (4h)
11. Lecture. Visual spatial structure of the landscape (1h) 11th Laboratory work. Elements of landscape visual spatial structure (5h)
12. Lecture. Landscape analysis (1h) 12th Laboratory work. Topographic plan (5h)
13. Lecture. The profession of landscape architect (2h). Development of 11th and 12th laboratory works (4h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written exam, which consists of a summary of extended study course topics.
All laboratory works must be submitted and positively evaluated before the exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development, forming and preparation of laboratory works for defense. Preparing for the exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the written exam consists of the average evaluation of all the topics included in the exam paper.
All laboratory works must be submitted and positively evaluated before the exam. Evaluation of laboratory works based on their compliance with the assigned task.

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

Notes

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