LAR-24306 Landscape Engineering

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

LAD-10806, LUP-11803, LAR-22806, LUP- 22806

Contents:

Landscape is considered a complex coherence of interrelating natural and cultural processes. This course builds upon knowledge and prior experience regarding basic design and planning theory and methods, as well as fundamental knowledge about soil, water and ecology.
In this course we consider qualitative and quantitative data on key categories in landscape engineering to adapt the physical space to become more suitable to present and future land use. Knowledge and facts relating to soil, water, vegetation (species and their growing conditions) and built elements (materials and constructions) will be considered as tools that help to materialize state of the art design and planning challenges such as: environmental issues, bio-energy production, water retention, food production, (emerging) types of recreation, dwelling and infrastructure typologies, business parks, nature development, mobility. To understand these challenges the influence of sectoral developments on the shape and dimensions of the landscape have to be studied separately and in combination with each oter. Dynamics (and the differences in and between sectoral developments) are an important aspect to be considered in order to facilitate the desired integral developments in the landscape.
The lectures will provide insight into the technical conditions and restrictions relating to contemporary landscape construction and organization to facilitate and integrate landscape developments. The course will comprehend both countryside and (peri-)urban situations on a local and regional scale. Measures and adequate methods (including project management) to improve the functioning of the land features and their impacts are presented, as well as data sources. The use of these data sources is exemplified in greater depth by assignments related to state of the art issues.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the student is expected to:
- be able to identify and interpret databases and compendia about landscape engineering;
- have knowledge of and be able to apply essential technical claims that define landscape engineering related to state of the art issues;
- know a selection of vegetation species and construction materials, their qualities, and their applications for planning and design;
- be able to suggest adequate measures to improve future landscape situations, fulfilling technical demands;
- interpret the results of (past and future) improvements of the landscape.

Activities:

- lectures
- assignments (group and individual) on various engineering categories, and presentations of assignment results;
- discussions about state of the art technologies and their development.

Examination:

Assignment results (50% and average grade above 5.5). Written exam (50% and average grade above 5.5).

Literature:

A reader and a literature list will be available at the start of the course.