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Landscape in Focus

Course developers

Course abstract

The main goal of the course is to familiarize students with landscape planning tools that integrate various fields—landscape architecture and planning, construction, environmental science, and more. The course provides an overview of emerging trends and technologies in the field of landscape architecture, where interdisciplinarity plays a significant role.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
Understanding the latest trends and applied technologies in the process of landscape planning and management across various fields. Assessment of acquired knowledge – Practical works no. 2, 3, and 4.
Skills
Skills to focus on various aspects related to landscapes, assess them, discuss and evaluate the most appropriate planning tools, as well as the application of technologies for a specific landscape.
Assessment of acquired skills – Practical work no. 1 and 5.
Competence

Comprehension of distinct and shared aspects and methods in landscape and area planning within the context of various fields. Assessment of acquired competence – Final Seminar and Exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Lecture. Involvement of various sectors in area and landscape planning (2h)
2. Lecture. Description of the project area, problematic aspects, and opportunities. Explanation of the assignment and division of topics (various ecological, economic, and social planning tools) for the final seminar (2h)
3. 1st practical Work. Ecological, economic, and social aspects of the project area. Seminar with stakeholders. Familiarization with the project area and its development plans. Meeting with project area owners/managers/stakeholders (2h)
4. 1st Practical Work. Exploration of problematic aspects of the area in connection with the potential use of planning tools. Area inspection. Data collection based on an individual task (2h)
5. Lecture: Contemporary strategies and initiatives in the field of landscape planning (2h)
6. Lecture: The New European Bauhaus (2h)
7. 2nd practical Work: Analysis of New European Bauhaus principles used in projects (2h)
8. Lecture: Sustainability certification systems. BREEAM (2h)
9. 3rd Practical Work: Analysis of BREEAM projects (2h)
10. Lecture: Ecosystem services as a tool in area planning (2h)
11. 4th Practical Work: Ecosystem services (2h)
12. Lecture: Public involvement in neighborhood development. NGOs (2h)
13. Lecture: Examples of interdisciplinary projects. Experience from LBTU (2h)
14. 5th Practical Work. Use of innovative planning tools for pilot area development. (2h)
15. 5th Practical Work. Use of innovative planning tools for pilot area development. (2h)

16. Preparation of the presentation for the final seminar (2h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully passed written exam. All practical assignments must be submitted and successfully evaluated prior to the exam. The final seminar must be successfully defended. It is possible to receive an accumulated exam grade if all practical assignments and the seminar are defended and successfully evaluated in accordance with the course schedule. Works submitted after the specified time (unless there is a justifiable reason) will have their grade reduced in accordance with the assessment rules approved by the institute.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development, formatting, and preparation for the defense of practical assignments and the final seminar presentation. Studying the course literature for an in-depth understanding of the topics.
1st practical work. Ecological, economic and social aspects of the project area. Research of problematic aspects of the area is linked to the use of possible planning tools.
2nd practical work. The new European Bauhaus in project analysis
3rd practical work. BREEAM project analysis
4th practical work. Ecosystem services
Exam preparation.

5th practical work. Application of innovative planning tools in pilot-territory development planning

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Practical assignments and seminars are evaluated according to the assessment procedure specified in the task. The exam is assessed based on the degree of compliance with the covered topics.

Compulsory reading

1. Fleming R. Design education for a sustainable future. London, England: Routledge, 2013. 235 p.
2. Kennen K., Kirkwood N. Phyto: principles and resources for site remediation and landscape design. New York: Routledge: 2015. 346 p.
3. Bell S. Landscape: Pattern, Perception and Process. Taylor and Francis, 1999. 352 p.
4. Simonds J.O., Starke B.W. Landscape architecture: a manual of environmental planning and design. New York: McGraw-Hill Prof Med/Tech, 2006. 396 p.

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
6. Ainavu izpētes un novērtēšanas pieejas Latvijā: metodoloģisks materiāls ar piemēriem (2023) (red. I.Stokmane, D.Skujāne). Jelgava: LBTU. 198 lpp..
7. Degradēto teritoriju revitalizācija ilgtspējīgas pilsētvides un sabiedrības attīstības kontekstā: no teorijas līdz praksei (2023) (red. D.Skujāne, A.Spāģe). Jelgava: LBTU. 35 lpp.
8. Ilgtspēja. Ūdens resursi. Sabiedrība. No teorijas līdz praksei (2023) (red. D.Skujāne, A.Spāģe). Jelgava: LBTU. 82 lpp. '

9. Degradēto teritoriju remediācija. Izpēte. Plānošana. Izmantošana (2019) (Bērziņa M., Grīnfelde I., Īle U., Jankava A., Katlapa A., Turks M., Ņitavska N., Paršova V., Pilsecka J., Skujāne D., Spāģe A., Straupe I.) Jelgava: LLU , 133 lpp.

Further reading

1. Multifunctional Landscapes: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Landscape Research and Management. Conference material. J. Brandt, B. Tress G. (ed.). Roskilde: Centre for Landscape Research, 2000. 264 p.
2. Russ T.H. Site planning and design handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill Prof Med/Tech, 2009. 507 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Topos. European Landscape Magazin. Munchen:Callwey. ISBN 3-7667-1593-3
2. Latvijas Architektūra. Rīga: Lilita. ISSN 1407-4923

Notes

Elective Course for Bachelor Students of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences.