LV EN RU DE FR

Landscape Studies and Architecture I

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to develop an understanding of the role of an environmental engineer in professional practice and the potential positive and negative impacts on the landscape when modifying and transforming it, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in landscape planning. The course helps to understand the interpretation of the landscape concept in the context of regulations and human perception, as well as the multifaceted nature of landscapes. It provides fundamental knowledge about the factors shaping landscapes and the spatial structure principles in the context of landscape planning. Additionally, it fosters an understanding of landscape formation processes in relation to natural processes and human economic activities from both historical and future development perspectives. The course also offers insight into sustainable landscape planning, landscape ecology, and ecological design.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of the application of the concept of landscape in various normative documents, different perception of landscape and importance of interdisciplinarity in landscape planning. Knowledge of landscape forming factors, historical development and typology of Latvian landscape. Knowledge of the role of the environmental engineer in landscape research, planning and management. Evaluation of the acquired knowledge - 1st practical work. Assessment of forming factors of landscape; 2nd practical work. Factors influencing changes in the Latvian landscape; 3rd practical work. Typology of Latvian landscape.
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. Skills to develop concepts for small-scale residential areas based on the principles of sustainability and ecological design. Evaluation of acquired skills - 4th practical work. Planning restrictions in river landscape; 5th practical work. Modelling of an ecovillage.

Competences to carry out assessment of the project areas, collecting information on natural and anthropogenic factors. Use principles of landscape ecology in planning and development of territories. Evaluation of acquired competencies - 6th practical work. Solutions for nature territory development based on landscape ecological principles; 7th practical work. Analysis of best practice examples.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time intramural studies:
1. Lecture. Interpretation of the concept of landscape in the context of legislative documents and human perception (2h)
2. 1st Practical work. Assessment of landscape forming factors (1h)
3. Lecture. Historical development of the Latvian landscape (2h).
4. 2nd Practical work. Factors influencing changes in the Latvian landscape (2h).
5. Lecture. Latvian landscape types, classification, normative framework (2h).
6. 3rd Practical work laboratory work. Typology of Latvian landscape (2h)
7. Lecture. Urban landscape. Landscape of water areas (2h).
8. 4th Practical work. Restrictions for planning of river landscape (2h)
9. Lecture. Agricultural landscape. Forest landscape (2h)
10. Lecture. Landscape architecture styles. Ecological design (2h)
11. Lecture. Sustainable landscape development and planning (2h)
12. 5th Practical work. Modelling of ecovillage (2h)
13. Lecture. History and main terminology of landscape ecology. Elements of landscape ecology – patches, corridors, network (2h)
14. 6th Practical work. Solutions based on landscape ecology principles (2h)
15. Lecture. Best practice examples (2h).
16. 7th Practical work. Best practice examples from abroad and Latvia (2h)

Part time extramural studies:

All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

Practical works have been positively evaluated. For works submitted after the specified time (if there is no justifiable reason), the grade is reduced by 1 point. Attendance of classes not less than 75%

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development, forming and preparation of practical works for defence.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the study course consists of the average evaluation of the practical works of all the examined topics. Evaluation of practical works based on their compliance with the assigned task and quality.

Compulsory reading

1. Ainavu aizsardzība. Nozares pārskats rajona plānojuma izstrādāšanai (2000) Rīga: Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija. 92 lpp.
2. Bokalders V., Bloka M. (2013) Ekoloģiskās būvniecības rokasgrāmata. Kā projektēt veselīgas, racionālas un ilgtspējīgas ēkas. Rīga: Biedrība Domas spēks. 691 lpp.
3. Kurše P., Kurš M., Athauss D., Gabriēls I. (1995) Ekoloģiskā būvniecība. Rīga: Preses Nams. 398lpp.
4. Ņitavska N., Zigmunde D. (2013) Zaļas pilsētvides plānošana. Rokasgrāmata. Jelgava: Zemgales plānošanas reģions. 114 lpp.
5. Vides un ilgtspējīga attīstība (2010) M. Kļaviņš, J.Zaļoksnis (red.) Rīga: LU akadēmiskais apgāds. 334. lpp.
6. Vides zinātne (2008) M.Kļaviņš (red.). Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 599 lpp.
7. 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. 71 lpp. ISBN 978-9984-48-401-3
8. Digitālais Latvijas Ainavu atlants (2023). Pieejams: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6c0b5c1cfaaa4bffb3c44b79158cd93c/
9. Skujāne D., Ņitavska N., Markova M., Spāģe A. (2023) Ilgtspēja. Ūdens resursi. Sabiedrība. No teorijas līdz praksei. Jelgava: LBTU. 82 lpp.
10. Ainavu izpētes un novērtēšanas pieejas Latvijā: metodoloģisks materiāls ar piemēriem (2023) (red. I.Stokmane, D.Skujāne). Jelgava: LBTU. 198 lpp.

Further reading

1. Applied Urban Ecology: A Global Framework (2011) M. Richter, U.Weiland (eds.). 235 p.
2. Basics Landscape Architecture 02: Ecological Design (2011) N. Rottle, K Yocom (eds.). AVA Publishing. 184 p.
3. Dramstad W.E., Olson J.D., Forman R.T.T. (1996) Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Washington. 80 p.
4. James A., LaGro Jr. (2008) Site Analysis: A Contextual Approach to Sustainable Land Planning and Site Design. 357 p.
5. Kennen K., Kirkwood N. (2015) Phyto: principles and resources for site remediation and landscape design. New York: Routledge. 346 p.
6. Kļaviņš M., Blumberga D., Bruņiniece I., Briede A., Grišule G., Andrušaitis A., Āboliņa K. (2008) Klimata mainība un globālā sasilšana. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 174 lpp.
7. Makhzoumi J., Pungetti G. (1999) Ecological Landscape Design and Planning. London: E&FN Spon. 330 p.
8. Roehr D., Fassman-Beck E. (2015) Living Roofs in Integrated Urban Water Systems. London: Routledge. 178 p.
9. Thompson I.H. (1999) Ecology, Community and Delight. London: E&FN Spon. 188 p. 10.Thompson J.W., Sorvig K. (2000) Sustainable landscape construction: a guide to green building outdoors. Washington: Island Press. 350 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Zinātniskais žurnāls Landscape Architecture and Art. ISSN 2255–8632 print; ISSN 2255–8640 online
2. Journal of Landscape Architecture (Jola). [tiešsaiste] Online ISSN: 2164-604X. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rjla20

3. Latvijas Architektūra: arhitektūras, dizaina un vides apskats. Rīga: Lilita, 1995- Burtn. ISSN 1407-4923

Notes

This study course is compulsory for the students of full time intramural and part time extramural studies in the professional bachelor study programme “Environment and Water management”