Course code Arhi2068
Credit points 7.50
Total Hours in Course200
Number of hours for lectures16
Number of hours for laboratory classes64
Independent study hours120
Date of course confirmation10.03.2021
Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering
Dr. arch.
Arhi1028, Material Studies of Outdoor Spaces
Arhi1031, Digital Tools in Landscape Projects I
Arhi1036, Landscape Studies
Arhi2063, Digital Tools in Landscape Projects II
ArhiB008 [GARHB008] Park and Square
The aim of the study course is to acquire the design process and necessary knowledge for the development of a project proposal and improvement plan of the territory.
In lectures, students acquire the theoretical knowledge. In laboratory work, students acquire practical skills in the design process. Learning outcomes are being evaluated trough student presentations, homework’s and final exam. Within the scope of the course, the following topics will be covered: analysis of the current situation and inventory, legislation, planning principles, conceptual design and development of draft, development of the concept of greenery, paving materials and improvement elements of territory, accessibility of the environment and universal design, site management.
1. Ability to analyze and evaluate the existing situation - for development of functional planning / zoning - laboratory works / homework / student presentations.
2. Development of the concept proposal (design ideas) - laboratory work / homework / student presentations – discussion - evaluation.
3. Detailing - the concept of the elements of amenities and paving materials. Concept of greenery- laboratory work / homework / student presentations – discussion - evaluation.
4. Project visualization –perspective drawings or 3D computer graphics and sections - laboratory work / homework.
5. Presentation of landscape plan - explanatory, preparation of presentation speech, draft of poster - laboratory works / homework / student presentations – discussion – evaluation / exam.
1. The meaning and function of the park, planning principles and design process (lecture 5h)
2. Normative base of park and city green areas (lecture 2h; laboratory works 3h)
3. Analysis and inventory of the current situation. Functional zoning of the territory. 1. homework (laboratory works 5h)
4. Examples of good practice in park and square design (lecture 5h)
5. Development of conceptual planning. Sketch variants. 1. Practical work (laboratory works 5h)
6. Planning compositional solution. Sketch variants. 2. homework. Clause with a mark: Spatial plan sketch variants. (laboratory works 5h)
7. Universal design and environmental accessibility (lecture 2h). 3. homework (laboratory work 3h)
8. Volume of architecture outdoors - scale, stylistics, design. Roads and squares, parking lots - technical parameters and paving materials (lecture 1h). 2. Practical work and 4. homework (laboratory works 4h)
9. Selection of greenery corresponding to the nature and function of the territory, types of park greenery and planning principles. Tree protection in the design process (lecture 1h). 3. Practical work. 2. Clause with a mark: The final sketch of the spatial plan. (laboratory works 4h)
10. Scheduling detail in AutoCad software. Preparation of the concept of territory improvement, cover and greenery - design. 5. homework (laboratory works 5h)
11. Detailed representation of the spatial plan - development of visualizations, cuts and notes. 4. Practical work (laboratory works 5h)
12. Explanatory description of its development. 6. homework (laboratory works 5h)
13. Park and square construction process and management. Management plan (laboratory works 5h)
14. Graphic presentation of the work - tablet. Graphic design and composition of the tablet, types of information display. 7. homework. 3. Clause marked: Tablet draft. (laboratory works 5h)
15. Project presentation - speech. Creating a presentation plan. 5. Practical work (laboratory works 5h)
16. Pre-defense of the project. Consultation (laboratory works 5h)
1. Need to attend all practical work lessons and discussion – evaluation days. All homework must be fulfilled. All marks need to be more than “4”.
2. pass exam.
Exam – oral presentation and poster of project, which has been developed within the framework of the study course.
Have to attend at least 75 % of lessons.
Homework 1 - square / park analysis. Provide (in print) a topographic plan of the park with an attached part of the analysis (schematics) and an inventory of existing elements. 10 photo fixes with analysis (positive and negative features in existing elements / layout).
Practical work 1 - proposal of the concept of territorial development - functional planning and idea (student’s presentations / consultation).
Homework 2 - landscape plan drafts (different compositional solution of functional zoning and planning) (discussion – evaluation).
Homework 3 - detailing of one draft (hand draw plan with attached pictures of literature studies) (students presentations / consultation).
Practical work 2 - concept of the elements of amenities and paving materials (student’s presentations / consultation).
Homework 4 - detailed drawing of a layout (discussion – evaluation).
Practical work 3 - Concept of greenery (student’s presentations / consultation).
Homework 5 – plan in AutoCad. The final variant concepts of the elements of amenities and paving materials. Concept of greenery (student’s presentations / consultation).
Practical work 6 - project visualization –perspective drawings or 3D computer graphics, sections – hand drawing (student’s presentations / consultation).
Homework 6 – Explanatory (submitted electronically, at least 2 A4 format pages with visual material).
Homework 7 - poster draft (compositional layout, color palette) (student’s presentations / consultation).
Practical work 7 - preparing for the presentation of the project – draft plan for speech (student’s presentations / consultation).
The assessment of the course is examination mark, which is affected by cumulative assessment of the exam and discussion – evaluation day marks, homework and practical work.
Exam is an oral presentation of study work, which is developed during the course.
A student passes a homework or practical work test if the requirements have been met and the work has been submitted / defended within the set deadline.
The discussion – evaluation day mark decreases by 1 point if it is not settled within the scheduled week.
The assessment of the study course "Excellent" can be obtained, if the marks are not lower than "good", received evaluation "passed" in all homework’s and additional task is completed in exam.
1. Dāvidsone I. Rīgas dārzi un parki. Rīga: Liesma, 1988. 159 lpp.
2. Baumeister N. New Landscape Architecture. Berlin: Braun, 2007. 350 p.
3. Harris C., Dines N. Time - Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. 928 p.
4. Holden R. New Landscape Design. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2003. 191 p.
1. Gēls J. Pilsētas cilvēkiem. Rīga: Jānis Roze, 2018. 270 lpp. / Gehl J. Cities for people. Washington: Island press, 2010. 270 p.
2. William H. Whyte. The social life of small urban spaces. New York: Project for public spaces, 2001. 125 p.
3. Simonds J.O., Starke B.W. Landscape architecture. A manual of environmental planning and design. Edition 4th. New York: McGraw –Hill, 2006. 396 p.
4. Bell S. Elements of Visual Design in the Landscape 2nd Edition
1. Rubene S., Ņitavska N. Metodiskie materiāli kursa projektam “Ainavu arhitektūrā un projektēšanā”. Jelgava, 2006.
2. Rubene S., Ņitavska N., Ziemeļniece A. Lekciju kurss “Ainavu arhitektūrā un projektēšanā “Power Point” programmā CD formātā”. Jelgava, 2007.
Compulsory course in full-time studies of VBF study program "Landscape Architecture and Planning" (Bachelor). The study course is also taught in English.