Dynamic Vegetation Design
Entry Requirements
specific entry requirements: 90 credits in one of the following subjects:
• architecture • landscape architecture • landscape planning • built environment • design • spatial planning • geography • landscape science • environmental science • civil engineering
and
English 6 or equivalent.
Course facts
- Course name
- Dynamic Vegetation Design
- Swedish course name
- Dynamisk Vegetations Gestaltning
- Level
- Second cycle (A1N)
- Main field of study
- Landscape Architecture
- Credits
- 15.0 credits
- Rate of study
- 100 %
- Study location
- Alnarp
- Form of instruction
- Campus-based instruction
- Application code
- SLU-40030
- Course code
- LK0384
- Course language
- English
- Included in program
-
Landscape Architecture- Master's ProgrammeLandscape Architecture Programme, Alnarp
- Offered as a freestanding course
- Ja
- Tuition fee
-
87150 SEK
Tuition fees only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens
LK0384, Dynamic Vegetation Design, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Landscape Architecture
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
specific entry requirements: 90 credits in one of the following subjects:
• architecture • landscape architecture • landscape planning • built environment • design • spatial planning • geography • landscape science • environmental science • civil engineering
and
English 6 or equivalent.
Objectives
The main objective of the course is to give the students the ability to design and construct viable biotopes for gardens, public open spaces and recreational areas on the urban fringe.
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- descripe the composition of a number of important key biotopes, how they can be designed, constructed and controlled in both nature-like and horticultural versions
- design a biotope-based installation with inspiration from both natural and cultural models and presentation of the proposal both graphically and verbally
- descripe construction and development of the biotope-based dynamic vegetation system with wild indigenous and/or horticultural international species compositions
- understand the importance of design for the experiential qualities, purification capacity, flow capacity and biodiversity of water constructions.
Content
The course deals with the design of vegetation and vegetational construction of biotope-inspired nature-like or horticultural installations with emphasis on the design and construction stages. Knowledge and inspiration are taken from soil, water and vegetation systems in Central and Northern Europe. In addition to design, understanding of the composition, patterns, structures, succession, dynamics and maintenance requirements is central. Discussion on the recreational and ecological functions and qualities is based on planning strategies at green structure level. The historical development of biotope-based park- and landscape design is also covered.
The course comprises lectures, excursions (compulsory), supervision exercises (some are compulsory), literature seminars (compulsory), criticism (reviews), independent work studio and independent work writing.
The course gives 15 skills training credits for students in the Landscape Architecture Programme.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Lecturers will evaluate the quality of compulsory assignments submitted and presented by students, particularly the design assignments. Specifications of compulsory attendance and assignments are given at course start. Students’ knowledge and ability to engage each other in critical and analytical discussions will also be assessed in picture and literature seminars.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Landscape Architecture- Master's Programme
- Landscape Architecture Programme, Alnarp
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
The Course Replaces
LK0264
Other Information
Courses in Landscape Planning from SLU counts as Landscape Architecture when assessing qualifications. The course departs from that the student’s possess basic plant knowledge and is familiar with the most common trees and shrubs of the region where the course is given. In case the student do not possess this knowledge it is up to the student themselves to enquire this knowledge before and during the course.
Course Literature LK0384
Main textbook (obligatory readings) Digitally available through SLU library:
1. Dunnet, N. & Hitchmough, J. (eds), (2008): The Dynamic Landscape. Ecology and Management of Naturalistic Urban planting. Spon Press. London & New York.
2. Dunnett, N., & Hitchmough, J. (Eds.). (2025). The Dynamic Landscape: Design, Ecology and Management of Naturalistic Urban Planting. Second edition. Routledge.
Complementary textbook (not obligatory)
Nielsen, AB., Diedrich L, Szanto C (red) (2023): Woods go Urban. Blauwdruk. Wageningen,
Extracts from following Literature needed for the course will be available on Canvas:
** History of nature based design:**
3. Kendle, T., Cooper, D. Forbes, S., (1992): The history and development of ecological landscape styles. In Kendle, T., Forbes, S., ed. (1992): Urban Nature Conservation 71-113.
4. Spirn, A.W., (1995): Constructing nature: The legacy of Fredrick Law Olmsted. In Cronon, W. (ed), (1995): Uncommon ground, rethinking the human place in nature.
W. Norton & Co. New York. p 91-113
5. Ruff, A., (2002): Holland and the Ecological Landscape. Garden History Vol. 30. No 2. 239-251.
Vegetation design, concepts and theories
6. Cronon, W., (1995): The trouble with wilderness; or getting back to the wrong nature. In Cronon, W. (ed), (1995): Uncommon ground, rethinking the human place in nature.
W. Norton & Co. New York. p 69-90.
7. Gustavsson, R., Hermy, M., Konijnendijk, C. and Steidle-Schwahn, A. (2005): Management of Urban Woodlands and Parks - searching for Creative and Sustainable Concepts. In: Konijnendijk et. al. (eds.) Urban Forests and Trees; A reference book. Springer, Berlin. 369-399.
8. Hladikova, D., Sestak, J. (2017): Creative Management in the young landscape of Alnarp´s Landscape Laboratory. (Eds) Wiström, B., Gunnarsson, A. Rapportserie: Rapport 2017:16, Fakulteten för landskapsarkitektur, trädgårds- och växtproduktionsvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet. Alnarp.
9. Gustavsson, R., (2009): The touch of the world: dynamic vegetation studies and embodied knowledge. Journal of Landscape Architecture. Spring Volume. 42-55.
Woodlands
10. Gustavsson, R., Ingelög, T., (1994): The new landscape – creation and construction of biotopes. Translation from: Gustavsson, R., Ingelög, T., (1994): Det nya landskapet. Skogsstyrelsen, Jönköping.
11. Larsen, J.B., Nielsen, A.B. (2012): Urban Forest Landscape Restoration – Applying Forest Development Types in Design and Planning. In: Stanturf, J., Lamb, D., Madsen, P. (eds.), Forest Landscape Restoration: Integrating Natural and Social Sciences, World Forests 15, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-5326-6_9, © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2012
12. Hammer, M., (1990): Nature as a Guide. Translation from: Hammer, M., (1987): Naturen som förebild. In: Bengtsson, R., Berglund, K., Bosch-Willebrand, I., Gustavsson, E., Hammer, M., Hermelin-Jungstedt, I., Lorentzon, K., Lövkvist, B., Nilsson, E., Zetterlund, H. & MOVIUM. (eds.) Perennboken - med växtbeskrivningar. LTs förlag, Stockholm. p 148-161.
13. Nielsen, A. B., Jensen, R. B., (2007): Some visual aspects of planting design and silviculture across contemporary forest management paradigms - Perspectives for urban afforestation, Urban forestry & Urban Greening, No 6. 143-158.
14. Richnau, G., Wiström, B., Nielsen, A.B., Löf, M. (2012): Creation of multi-layered canopy structures in young oak-dominated urban woodlands – the ‘ecological approach’ revisited. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 11: 147-158.
15. Richnau G, Brunet J, Nielsen AB, Wiström B (2016): Planting clonal shade-tolerant herbs in young urban woodlands—Effects of compost on plant growth, flowering and survival Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 17, 158-165
Water, water streams and wetlands
16. Hammer, M., Våtmarkskompendium – Wetland compendium. Unpublished.
17. Lacoursière, J. O., Vought, L. B-M. (2010): Restoration in the Agricultural Landscape. In: M. Eiseltová (ed). Restoration of Lakes, Streams; Floodplains and Bogs in Europe; Principles and Case Studies, Wetlands Ecology, Conservation and Management 3. Springer Media. Pp 225-242.
Meadows
18. Ekstam, U., Forshed, N. (1997): Om hävden upphör – If grassland management ceases. Naturvårdsverket. Partly translated to English.
19. Hammer, M., (1990): Meadows. Translation from: Hammer, M., (1987):.Naturen som förebild. In: Bengtsson, R., Berglund, K., Bosch-Willebrand, I., Gustavsson, E., Hammer, M., Hermelin-Jungstedt, I., Lorentzon, K., Lövkvist, B., Nilsson, E., Zetterlund, H. & MOVIUM. (eds.) Perennboken - med växtbeskrivningar. LTs förlag, Stockholm. p 162-170.
20. Mårtensson, L.M., (2017): Methods of establishing species-rich meadow biotopes in urban areas. Ecological Engineering 103, 134-140.
Biotope creation and communication
21. Hammer, M. Excerpts from Biotope descriptions. Nya ekologihuset i Lund. Unpublished.
22. Nielsen, A.B., Nielsen, J.B., (2005): The use of profile diagrams for mixed stands in urban woodlands—the management perspective. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Vol 3. 163–175
23. van Dooren, N., Nielsen, A.B., (2018): The representation of time: addressing a theoretical flaw in landscape architecture. Landscape Research, 1-17.
24. Jansson, M., Gunnarsson, A., Mårtensson, F., Andersson, S. (2014): Children's perspectives on vegetation establishment: Implications for school ground greening. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 13, 166-174.
25. Florgård, C., (2000): Long-term changes in indigenous vegetation preserved in urban areas. Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol 52, 101-116.
26. Wiström, B., Nielsen A.B., Bjørn M.C., (2018): Use of cover crops when establishing woody plantings. IGN Rapport, Institut for Geovidenskab og Naturforvaltning, Københavns Universitet
Supplementary materials and suggested readings also be provided on Canvas.
27. Hill, M. O., Mountford, J. O., Roy, D. B. & Bunce, R. G. H. (1999): Ellenberg´s indicator values for British plants. Ecofact Volume 2. Institute of terrestrial Ecology.
28. Ballard B, Wilson S, Udale-Clarke H, Illman S, Scott T, Ashley R, Kellagher R (2015): the SuDS manual. CIRIA. London
29. San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), (2016): European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
30. Gunnarsson, A., (2010): WOODED MEADOW GARDENING IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN DURING THE PAST CENTURIES. International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Leuven, Belgium, pp. 967-972.
31. Hammer, M. Creation of woodland herbaceous layer in urban broad-leaf plantations – introduction techniques and establishment studies. Manuscript. Alnarp
32. Tyler T., Karlsson T., Milberg P., Sahlin U., Sundberg S. (2015): Invasive plant species in the Swedish flora: developing criteria and definitions, and assessing the invasiveness of individual taxa. Nordic Journal of Botany 33: 300-317.
33. Ekologgruppen. (2017): Åmansboken. Vård, skötsel och restaurering av åar i jordbruksbygd. Andra rev. upplagan. Saxån-Braåns Vattenråd.
34. van Dooren, N. (2012): Speaking about drawing. Topos 80, 43-54
35. Påhlsson, L., (1998): Vegetationstyper i Norden TemaNord. Nordiska Ministerrådet, Copenhagen, p. 710.
36. Kiehl, K., Kirmer, A., Donath, T.W., Rasran, L., Hölzel, N., (2010): Species introduction in restoration projects – Evaluation of different techniques for the establishment of semi-natural grasslands in Central and Northwestern Europe. Basic and Applied Ecology 11, 285-299.
37. Tyler, T., Herbertsson, L., Olofsson, J., Olsson, P.A. (2021): Ecological indicator and traits values for Swedish vascular plants. Ecological Indicators 120, 106923
.
academic year 2024/2025
Dynamic Vegetation Design (LK0384-40052)
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-22
academic year 2023/2024
Dynamic Vegetation Design (LK0384-40036)
2024-05-27 - 2024-06-14
academic year 2022/2023
Dynamic Vegetation Design (LK0384-40010)
2023-05-28 - 2023-06-14
academic year 2021/2022
Dynamic Vegetation Design (LK0384-40126)
2022-05-29 - 2022-06-14
academic year 2020/2021
Dynamic Vegetation Design (LK0384-40073)
2021-05-30 - 2021-06-14
Contact
- Course coordinator
- Björn Wiström
- Course administrator
- Jessica Jonerheim
- Examiner
- Björn Wiström