Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture
The course contain theoretical and practical knowledge in urban ecology for designing sustainable urban landscapes. Individual assignments and group studio projects are supported by tutoring, lectures, seminars and field trips. The course starts with a focus on the theoretical foundation of urban ecology and its practical application in landscape architecture in Sweden as well as internationally. Focus is then gradually moved to applying this knowledge through studio work, producing conceptual strategies and more detailed design solutions based on real sites in Sweden.
The studio addresses a broad range of concepts, such as landscape patterns and environmental processes, disturbance, succession, fragmentation, biodiversity, ecosystem services, human and cultural perspectives of urban landscapes. Technical solutions for low impact design as well as long term management will be taken into consideration. The scale spans from an overall urban-rural scale to detailed situations within a city block.
Special attention is given to reflection and critical assessment of contemporary landscape architecture in relationship to ecological requirements. The studio develop skills in visual and verbal methods that efficiently communicate complex interdisciplinary design solutions.
Field trips around Uppsala and a longer trip in Sweden or neighboring countries provide important insights in how ecological design principles can be implemented. Travel costs are expected to be covered by students.
Information from the course leader
Info from email to all admitted students 2023-02-17:
As stated in earlier mail + preliminary schedule, we will make a study-trip to Malmö April 27-28 .
We will start the study trip at Malmö C, 9:00 on Thursday 27/4 and we will finish in Lund at 13:00 on Friday 28/4. There is no teaching on Wednesday 26/4.
As the travel costs within the course are financed by the student, you will need to do your own travel arrangements (incl stay in Malmö). Tour bus in Malmö/Lund will be financed by SLU.
On Friday March 24 we will have a bike-excursion in Uppsala, that will start with bird-watching at 6:00 am. For this you will need a bike. The excursion will end around 12:30.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LK0347-40029 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for LK0347
Academic year 2024/2025
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture (LK0347-40090)
2025-03-25 - 2025-06-08
Academic year 2023/2024
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture (LK0347-40076)
2024-03-20 - 2024-06-02
Academic year 2021/2022
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture (LK0347-40039)
2022-03-24 - 2022-06-05
Academic year 2020/2021
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture (LK0347-40055)
2021-03-24 - 2021-06-06
Academic year 2019/2020
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture (LK0347-40018)
2020-03-25 - 2020-06-07
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LK0347 Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture, 15.0 Credits
Studio - Urbanekologi för landskapsarkitekturSubjects
Landscape ArchitectureEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Literature workshop + field trips | 4.0 | 0202 |
| Overall design proposal (group work) | 2.5 | 0203 |
| Detailed design proposal (individual work) | 5.5 | 0204 |
| Article (individual work) | 3.0 | 0205 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits with a minimum of 90 credits in landscape architecture and/or architecture and/or landscape planning and/or spatial planning and/or built environment, and knowledge equivalent to English 6, or admitted to the Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation – Masters Programme.Objectives
The aim of the course is for the student to develop theoretical and practical knowledge of urban ecology in designing sustainable landscapes.
Knowledge and understanding
After the course, the student will be able to:
explain the theoretical foundation of urban ecology and its application in landscape architecture practice.
present knowledge from examples of implemented ecological landscape architecture projects in Sweden and internationally.
Competence and skills
After the course, the student will be able to:
apply key urban ecological theories into a landscape architecture design concept.
design projects based on ecological solutions and urban biodiversity that includes a human and cultural perspective at overall and detailed level in the landscape.
communicate complex interdisciplinary design solutions through successful visual and verbal methods.
Judgement and approach
After the course, the student will be able to:
reflect on ecological values in relation to the practice of landscape architecture and sustainable development.
critically asses contemporary landscape architecture projects based on established ecological requirements.
Content
The course consists of lectures, seminars and studio projects and have two parts. One theoretical that cover terminology and main aspects of landscape and urban ecology and principles of ecological design. The other applying these knowledges in real case situations.
The students discuss and works with a broad range of aspects in the field such as landscape patterns and environmental processes, disturbance, succession, fragmentation, biodiversity, ecosystem services, technical solutions for low impact design and long term management.
The students produce conceptual strategies and ecological design solutions in groups on an overall level, such as dealing with green-blue structures on an urban-rural scale. Individually, the students continue designing on detailed levels that are important for urban development, such as an urban district or a city block. The different proposals will be based on real case, on site, scenarios in Sweden. Themes can shift between years and deal with housing, recreation, communication, health, trade etc.
Field trips around Uppsala and a longer trip in Sweden or neighboring countries provides important insights in how ecological design principles can be implemented.
Project work, seminars, exercises, field trips and activities connected to them are compulsory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed project work and passed individual assignments as well as passed participation in compulsory activities.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The course gives 15 credits of skill training.Travel costs within the course are financed by the student. Information about costs will be available at the course homepage 4 weeks before course start.
Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Grading criteria
Scroll down for the Grading criteria
Learning objectives vs grading criteria
In a goal-related grading system the learning objectives indicates what you can and the grading criteria indicates different degrees of how well you know it. The criteria describe what will be assessed and how.
Final grading
To receive a final grade for the course requires:
- Active participation in all compulsory activities
- Minimum grade 3 on all the various assignments and submissions
To receive final grade 4 requires grade 4 on both assignment Individual design proposal and assignment Article for the Urban Ecologist. Or: Grade 3 on one of these assignments and grade 5 on the other assignment.
To receive final grade 5 requires grade 5 on one of the assignments and grade 4 on the other.
Example: Grade 5 on the Individual design proposal and grade 4 on the Article, results in final grade 5.
Grading modules (LADOK)
|
|
hp |
grade |
(approx. in weeks) |
|
Literature workshop + field trips |
4 |
U/3 |
(2,66) |
|
Assignment: Conceptual strategy and Overall design proposal (group work) |
2,5 |
U/3 |
(1,66) |
|
Assignment: Detailed design proposal (individual work) |
5,5 |
U/3/4/5 |
(3,66) |
|
Assignment: Article for the Urban Ecologist (individual work) |
3 |
U/3/4/5 |
(2) |
Late submission / absence
In case of late submission without a valid reason grade 3 will be given on that assignment. Valid reasons are illness, work with student union, community service, funeral, military service. Send message by e-mail to the course leader. Remember to write your name and the course name.
Valid reason must be supported with a statement that tells you how many days it's for. Prolongation of the delivery date of the submission will be given the same number of days as the absence claims.
As for short absences (a week or less) given extended submission period only when the absence occurs within one month before the submission. It must be communicated with the course leader.
Examination results & re-examination
Results of the examination is announced 15 workdays after the submission. Dates for renewed examination is found in timetable/schedule.
Possible supplemental assignment can be administered to reach up to grade 3. Not given to reach grade 4 or 5.
Grading criteria
Assignment: Conceptual strategy and overall design proposal (group work)
Grades: F, 3
To pass (3) the following criteria needs to be accomplished:
- Through collaboration in a group, develop a conceptual strategy including an overall design proposal for green-blue structures. based on ecological solutions and urban biodiversity that includes a human and cultural perspective
- Show how the proposed strategy and overall design proposal is based on urban ecological theory and best practice, by using terms presented in literature as well as knowledge from examples of implemented ecological landscape architecture projects in Sweden and internationally.
- Deliver a well-done visual and verbal presentation that is easy to understand as well as captivating and interesting, without taking away the complexity of its contents/matters.
- Clarify the correlation between inventory, analysis and proposal
Assignment: Individual design proposal
Grades: F, 3, 4, 5
To pass (3) the following criteria needs to be accomplished:
- With aid from a tutor establish the delimitations needed to develop a design on a detailed level.
- Independently develop a detailed design proposal for a smaller area within the conceptual strategy and overall design proposal.
- Clarify the correlation between analysis, idea/concept, program/function and chosen technical solutions/design elements in the proposal.
- Show how the detailed design proposal is based on urban ecological theory and best practice, by using terms presented in literature as well as knowledge from examples of implemented ecological landscape architecture projects in Sweden and internationally.
- Deliver a visual and verbal presentation that is easy to understand, without taking away the complexity of its contents.
To receive grade 4, 3 of the following criteria needs to be accomplished. To receive grade 5, 5 of the following criteria needs to be accomplished.
- Develop a design on a detailed level, which is clearly based on the ecological, human and cultural requirements defined in the conceptual strategy.
- Show a clear and consistent correlation between idea/concept, program/function and chosen technical solutions/design elements in the proposal.
- Analyse the urban space and its conditions with an independent reasoning.
- Understand and explain the proposals context well.
- Show and argue well on what spatial qualities the proposal has and why a specific type of aesthetics is used.
- Argue well on which qualities, (biodiversity, ecosystem services, social, spatial etc.) the proposal performs in the urban context as well as describing the proposals limitations.
- Argue well on how your specific solution have the potential to be implemented in other urban situations as a part of a more general urban design strategy.
- Deliver a visual and verbal presentation that is captivating and explains the complexity of its contents on a higher level.
Assignment: Article for the Urban Ecologist
Grades: F, 3, 4, 5
To pass and receive grade 3, the following criteria needs to be accomplished:
- Independently write an article and select relevant images and illustrations.
- Present knowledge from one or more implemented ecological landscape architecture projects in Sweden and/or internationally.
- Reflect on ecological values in relation to the practice of landscape architecture and sustainable development.
- Critically asses how local ecological conditions and knowledge of ecological processes are/have been used in contemporary landscape architecture projects.
To receive grade 4, one of the following four criteria needs to be accomplished.
To receive grade 5, criteria number 1 plus two of the other criteria (number 2, 3 or 4) needs to be accomplished.
- Show a clear and consistent correlation between text, pictures/diagrams and captions that works well together.
- Show a very good ability to reflect on ecological values in relation to the practice of landscape architecture and sustainable development.
- Show a very good ability to critically assess how local ecological conditions and knowledge of ecological processes are/have been used in contemporary landscape architecture projects
- Show a very good ability to formulate arguments (and ideas) that in another context can be used to convince professionals and politicians that has no ecological or landscape architecture training.