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Natural Landscape

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Arhi1031, Digital Tools in Landscape Projects I

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to master the basic principles of design of nature territories. The study course will cover: topic analysis, inventory, legislation, principles of planning, the impact of tourism on nature areas, signs, elements, roads, squares, management, architecture and accessibility of the environment.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge: about the specific design principles and best practices in the relevant areas. 4th seminar.
• Skills: design a territory according to its functions and specific goals for sustainable development. 1-4 seminar.
• • Competencies: to evaluate which design principles are most suitable for different nature territories, as well as to plan the planned management works. 1-4 seminar.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction - nature territories in Latvia, their status, diversity. 4 lectures
2. 2. The opportunities of tourism development in nature areas. Environmental capacity. 4 lectures
3. Analyses of best practice project examples. 4 lab.w.
4. Research and analysis of natural areas. 4 lectures
5. Survey and inventory of nature territories. 4 lectures
6. Field visit of the territory. 4 lab.w.
7. Results of the object research, their interpretation. 1st seminar, 4h
8. Field trip. 4h
9. Development of concept ideas of the territory. 4 lab.w.
10. Selection and development of one final concept idea of the territory. 4 lab.w
11. Selection and / or design of elements appropriate to the nature and function of the site. 4 lab.w
12. Selection and / or design of elements appropriate to the nature and function of the site. 4 lab.w
13. Explanation of the justification for the choice of elements using various visual materials. 2nd seminar, 4h
14. Forest design and tourism. 3rd seminar, 4h
15. Pre-defense and discussion. 4h
16. Project submission of the nature territories project. Examination 4h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Attendance at less than 75%. The practical work on the development and management of the natural object has been submitted within the set time. For works submitted after a certain time (if there is no valid reason), a mark of 1 is reduced. Practical work has been positively evaluated.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students perform independent work in practical classes and at home. Practical works are related to the nature object to be designed.
1st seminar. Presentation of results of survey of the landscape of the planned territory. Working in groups.
2nd seminar. Presentation of the concept of development of the planned territory. Working in groups.
3rd seminar. Presentation of forest design sketch. An analysis of the current situation, zoning and a sketch of the forest design have been carried out for a specific territory. Working in groups.
Examination. Defending nature project. Nature territory landscape development project (developed by a group of 2 students) consisting of several parts:
• The vision of the development of the natural area
• plan or route of improvement (scale dependence on the size of the project to be specified);
• planned visualizations of the site (at least 3 images in A3 format);

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the course consists of an assessment of the examination and a cumulative assessment of the task of the seminars.
The examination and seminars are evaluated according to the evaluation procedure set out in the tasks.

Compulsory reading

1. N. Rottle, K Yocom. Ecological Design. Basics Landscape Architecture. 2011.
2. Dramstad W.E., Olson J.D., Forman R.T.T. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Washington, 1996. 80 p.
3. Bells S., Nikodemus O. Rokasgrāmata meža ainavas plānošanai un dizainam. Rīga: Valsts meža dienests, LTS International Ltd., 2000. 75 lpp.
4. Dzīves vides kvalitāte. No: Apdzīvotu vietu meži un dārzi. Red.: K. Buivids. Rīga: Zinātne, 1988, 12. -15. lpp.

5. 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

Further reading

1. Beer A.R., Higgins C. Environmental Planning for Site Development. A manual for sustainable local planning and design. London: E&FN Spon, 2000. 352 p.
2. Aktuālā savvaļas sugu un biotopu apsaimniekošanas problemātika Latvijā. Red. A Auniņš. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2008. 162 lpp. http://www.ldf.lv/ upload_file/28934/LDF_rokasgramata_ekrana-vers.pdf
3. Latvijas biotopi. Klasifikators. Rīga: Latvijas Dabas fonds, 2001. 96 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Vides Vēstis. Pieejams: http:// www.videsvestis.lv
2. Zhou Jin, Shi Sen Review of mining area ecological restoration theory. China Mining, Vol 3, 2004, p. 10-12.