Planning for Sustainability in Landscape Architecture

44M0574

Master

English

5.0

only summer term

1 semester

The design of livable environments, compact forms of settlement, innovative mobility models, public spaces for social interaction and the integration of extreme weather events are challenges faced worldwide. Complex strategies and creative solutions are necessary for a better mastery of local tasks in the future. In this module, we discuss approaches to the urban context ranging from the urban planning to the object planning scale and develop them using concrete planning tasks. The module emphasizes the integration of environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. Theoretical content is deepened and taught in a practical way through focused field trips and hands-on exercises. The module is aimed at students from various disciplines who are interested in the sustainable design of urban landscapes.

The module provides detailed knowledge and practical experience in specific areas of sustainable landscape architecture and urban planning. The focus is on the intensive study of individual practice-relevant topics in an urban context, such as 
- Adaptation to climate change (green-blue infrastructure, stormwater management) 
- Promoting biodiversity (greening of buildings, biotope connectivity) 
- Promoting social diversity, quality of life and quality of place 
- health-promoting mobility concepts, 
- resource-conserving choice of materials (cradle to cradle) 
- cost-effective construction and renewable energy generation,
- Resilience and adaptability of urban spaces.

Field trips to best-practice projects and interviews with experts will deepen the theoretical content and make it tangible. The results of the research will then either be implemented in design concepts with a regional context, compiled in a documentation and/or exhibition, or discussed in depth in a specialist conference.

The module promotes interdisciplinary work and the development of sustainable planning strategies with a focus on urban spaces. The critical analysis of real projects and a conscious look outside the box to other disciplines promotes the development of integrative solutions.

Contents of the module:

1. introduction to sustainability
2. challenges and opportunities of sustainability in urban areas
3. focus on a key issue
4. field trips and expert discussions 
5a. Development of own sustainable designs
5b. Documentation / Exhibition 
5c. Professional conference  

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Project Report, written

• Regular participation

written project report: ca. 15-20 pages (A4) Text, excluding pictures, plans, etc. and appendix or 2 posters in an exhibition

Basic knowledge of architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning

Basic knowledge of graphics programs (Adobe, Affinity, etc.)

Students can define sustainability in the context of urban areas, outline the related challenges and opportunites and illustrate these with help of real-world examples.

Students can discuss various facets of planning for sustainability in urban contexts, including their interrelation and areas of overlap.

Students can critically discuss the challenges and opportunities of design approaches to sustainability in a given case study.

Students can apply their acquired knowledge on sustainability in planning and specific best practice cases to independently develop their own sustainable designs for a given case.

Students independently develop their own sustainable designs.

Students are able to present their own designs at a student exhibition. They can critically discuss sustainability in planning in terms of specific cases studies and proposed design solutions both with their peers and with experts from the field.

Students are able to critically reflect on the sustainable design of urban contexts based on their theoretical and methodological knowledge. They act responsibly and consider environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability in their professional decisions.

• Junker, Dirk

• Zimmermann, Astrid
• Junker, Dirk