Petra Thorpert

Petra Thorpert holds a PhD in Landscape Architecture and was appointed Excellent Teacher at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management at SLU in Alnarp in 2021. She is the editor-in-chief of the Nordic Journal of Architectural Research.

Her teaching and research projects focus on the perception of landscapes and their relationship to landscape aesthetics, the design of vegetation, biodiversity, and human health. These projects are often multidisciplinary, involving ecologists, environmental psychologists, and artists, and covering both urban and natural environments. The research project uses interdisciplinary methods to provide broad support for decision-making in landscape architecture, as well as supporting networks and providing outreach for sustainable urban landscape solutions.

At SLU, she currently teaches PhD-level courses: An introductory course for PhD students and an international bachelor's course in Urban Landscape Design. Previously, I designed and taught courses dealing with elements affecting the interaction between the analysis and development of methods and concepts, through the study of design theory, from sketching to the final design proposal.

Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia

EU/Interreg - Öresund-Kattegatt-Skagerrak. Project period 2023-04-01 - 2026-03-31

The overall objective of the project "Green Sponge Buildings in Scandinavia" is to support the adaptation to the changeable and extreme climate by allowing buildings to become an active part of the climate adaptation solution in the Scandinavian cities. 

https://www.slu.se/en/research/research-catalogue/projekt/g/green-sponge-buildings-in-scandinavia/

Designed urban greenery for a healthy living environment 

Funded by Formas Projekt period 2024-2028

Urban greening is often focused on trees, which require a substantial amount of space both above and below ground. For a more realistic approach to reach the goals for urban greenery, trees must be combined with different types of small-scale greenery, such as green roofs, walls and plant beds.

https://www.slu.se/en/research/research-catalogue/projekt/d/designed-urban-greenery-for-a-healthy-living-environment/

Coordination of NAF/NAAR Symposium 2024
The Death and Life of Great Nordic Landscapes – Transformative Action Needed.  September 19-20, 2024 in Alnarp

The title for the 2024 NAF/NAAR Symposium ‘The death and life of great Nordic Landscapes’, holds a reference to Jane Jacobs’ title The Death and Life of Great American Cities, in which she challenged the planning and urban design paradigm of her time, and critiqued its rational and car-centered planning for ‘killing’ cities. ‘Life’ and ‘death’ should in the context of this symposium be understood more broadly – from ecological and social life and death, to the vitality or stagnancy of theory and discourses. 

Organizing  committee 
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, SLU, Alnarp
Dr. Petra Thorpert  (coordinator)
Dr. Anders Larsson
Dr. Johan Widerlöv

Conference secretary: 
Anna Lund
 
Nordic Association of Architectural Research
Dr. Anne Elisabeth Toft, Associate Professor
Dr. Magnus Rönn, Associate Professor

Thorpert, P., Ode Sang, Å., Buffam, I. (2024). Seasonal variation in preference for green roof vegetation. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 12, 1-13. doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1346397

Pálsdóttir, A.M., Kyrö Wissler, S., Thorpert, P (2024). An Innovative Approach in Research and Development of Clinical Nature-Based Rehabilitation in Health Care and Vocational Training: The Living Laboratory, Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden. Landscape Architecture, 31(5) 116-123. doi.org/10.3724/j.fjyl.202404020196

Thorpert, P., Ode Sang, Å., Englund J-E. (2023). Shades of green for living walls – experiences of colour contrast and its implication for aesthetic and psychological benefits. Nature Based Solutions, 3, 100067. doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2023.100067

Gunnarsson, A., Wiström, B., Darlan Boris, S., Gustavsson, R., Thorpert, P., Busse Nielsen, A. (2023). Outdoor Classrooms – Learning by Doing, Playing, Acting. In: Busse Nielsen, A., Diedrich, L. & Szanto, C. (Eds.), Woods go urban – landscape laboratories in Scandinavia. Amsterdam: Idea books, pp. 313-341

Thorpert, P., Rayner, J., Haaland, C. Englund J-E., Fransson A-M. (2022) Exploring the Integration Between Colour Theory and Biodiversity Values in the Design of Living Walls. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 1-16. doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.804118

Ode Sang, Å., Thorpert, P., Fransson, A-M. (2022). Planning, Designing and Managing Green Roofs and Green Walls for Public Health – An Ecosystem Service Approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 1-13. doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.804500

Pálsdóttir, A.M., Thorpert, P., Gudnason, V., Settergren, Víkingsson, A. and Siggeirsdóttir, K. (2021). Conceptual biophilic design in landscape architecture – a design concept for natural health garden in Iceland. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, XXXI (1), 40-56.

Thorpert, P. & Englund J-E. (2021). Colour perception and visitor experiences of urban parks as influenced by an intense colourful urban artefact: An in-situ quasi-experiment. International Journal of Architecture & Planning, 9(2), 485-505. doi: 10.15320/ICONARP.2021.169

Thorpert, P., Englund, J-E., Nielsen, A.B. (2018).  The impact of the primary colours yellow, red and blue on the perception of greenery. Landscape Research, 44(1), 88-89. doi. 10.1080/01426397.2017.1413177

Pálsdóttir, AM., Stigsdotter, U., Persson, D., Thorpert, P., Grahn, P. (2018).The qualities of natural environments that support the rehabilitation process of individuals with stress-related mental disorder in nature-based rehabilitation. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 29, 312-321. Doi.10.1016./j.ufug.2017.11.016

Thorpert, P., Nielsen, A.B. (2014). Experience of vegetation-borne colours. Journal of Landscape Architecture (JoLA), 1-2014: 60-69. Doi.10.1080/18626033.2014.898834

Pálsdóttir, AM., Stigsdotter, U., Persson, D., Thorpert, P., Grahn, P. (2014). Clients´ perspective on supportive locations at the Alnarps Rehabilitation Garden. In AM. Pálsdóttir. The Role of Nature in Rehabilitation for Individuals with Stress-related Mental Disorders, Ph.D. dissertation (SLU Repro, Alnarp).

Thorpert, P. (2019). Green Is Not Just Green. Human colour perception in urban green contexts. Ph.D.-Diss. Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Pálsdóttir, AM., Larsson, A., Thorpert, P. (2017). Sheltered homes for battered women – in need of formal planning processes and restorative environments. ECLAS: Creation/Reaction, London, Great Britain, September 10th-13th: pp. 971-974.

Thorpert, P. (2015). Colour installations turn space into place. International Federation of Landscape Architects. Saint-Petersburg, Russia, June 10th-12th, 2015. In: History of the future, 2015, pp. 649-654.

Thorpert, P (2015). Teaching summary regarding Colour aspects in Landscape study programs in the Nordic countries. ECLAS: Landscapes in Flux, Tartu, Estland, September 21th-23th, 2015. In: ECLAS: Landscapes in Flux -Teaching and research, 2015, pp. 156-160.

Thorpert, P. (2014). Space turns into place in laborative actions. ECLAS: specifics. HCU Hamburg, Deutschland, September 22th-25th, 2013. In: ECLAS: specifics- Discussing Landscape Architecture, 2014, Fine Art of Best Practice, pp. 328-333.

Thorpert, P. (2024). Preference for green roof vegetation: aesthetic and restorative qualities. Presentation given at CONEXUS Conference Barcelona May 14-17th - 2024

Thorpert, P., Ode Sang, Å. (2022). Seasonal variation in preference for green roof vegetation. Presentation given at Urban Biodiversity and Design, November 28-30th

Thorpert, P. (2019). Living walls and colour consciousness –an attractive design solution? Presentation given at the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), Common Ground. Beautiful and Healty Cities. Oslo, Norway, September 18-20th pp. 7

Thorpert, P. (2019). Outdoor learning and full-scale studies – A design approach to structure, scale and colour knowledge. Presentation given at the ECLAS Conference, Ås, Norway, September 
16-17th pp. 277. 

Thorpert, P. (2019) Colour studies in practice – Examples from full scale outdoor teaching in landscape programs. Presentation given at the ECLAS Conference, Ås, Norway, September 
16-17th pp. 276. 

Ode-Sang, Å., Thorpert, P., Emilsson, T. (2018). Public health and wellbeing benefits from Green roofs and walls – a systematic review. 14th International People Plant Symposium, Malmö, Sweden, October 11th-13th: pp. 43. 

Thorpert, P. (2018). Research-oriented teaching in relation to process and development of research findings. Oral presentation given at the 10th World Conference on Educational Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic, February 1th-3th: pp. 68. 

Pálsdóttir, AM., Larsson, A., Thorpert, P. (2017). Sheltered homes for battered women – in need of formal planning processes and restorative environments. ECLAS Conference, London, Great Britain, September 10th-13th: pp. 70. 

Thorpert, P (2016). Colourful site-specific objects and their interaction in a public context. Oral presentation given at the International Association People – Environment Studies (IAPS) 27th June - 1th July: pp. 242. 

Thorpert, P (2016). Colour qualities: The impact of primary colours on perennials. Oral presentation given at the  6th International Conference on Landscape & Urban Horticulture, Athens, Greece, June 20th-25th: pp. 12. 

Thorpert, P (2015). Teaching summary regarding Colour aspects in Landscape study programs in the Nordic countries. Oral presentation given at the ECLAS conference, Tartu, Estland, September 21th-23th, 2015. 

Thorpert, P. (2015). Colour installations turn space into place. Oral presentation given at the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) conference, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, June 10th-12th: pp. 112-113. 

Thorpert, P. (2014). Perceived colour in relation to people and their landscape. Oral presentation given at the 26th session of the Permanent European Conference on the study of the rural Landscape. Gothenburg, Sweden, September 8th-12th: pp. 223. 

Thorpert, P. (2013). Space turns into place in laborative actions. Oral presentation given at the ECLAS Conference, HCU Hamburg, Deutschland, September 22th-25th: pp. 59. 

Nielsen, A.B., Gustavsson, R., Lorentzon, K., Thorpert, P., Gunnarsson, A., Öxcell, C., Wiström, B., Sjöman, H. (2012). Alnarp Landscape Laboratory – interdisciplinary research, teaching and demonstration. CITY PLANTastic, 8th International Conference, World in Denmark, Copenhagen June 27th-29th, 2012. 

Thorpert, P. (2009). Urban vegetation and perceived colour.  Oral presentation given at the 2nd International conference on Landscape and Urban Horticulture, Bologna, Italy, June 9th-13th: pp. 184. 

Rönn, M., Thorpert, P., Gromark, S. (2025). Knowledge creation by PhD research in architecture and landscape architecture, Nordic Journal of Architectural Research 1 (37), 189-198.

Rönn, M., Thorpert, P., Gromark, S. (2025). Editors’ Notes. Observations on PhD research in architecture and landscape architecture during the academic year 2024, Nordic Journal of Architectural Research 1 (37), 5-9.

Thorpert, P., Emad Muhanad, A., Ly,L., Smit, M., Kjersem Larsen, R., Stangnes, I., Kadrić, M., Karlsson, M., Klerer, A., Christell, J., Hyka, R., Niedermaier, S., Sandberg, C., Toth, E., Hejdström, F. (2025). Creative Thinking as Part of Aesthetic Considerations in the Context of Procedural Theory. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2025:4, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Thorpert, P.,. Indrevoll, T., Frencken, M., Zahi, F., Alhuda Mufleh, N., Hansson, G., Anderson, J., Friese, J., Munsey, P., Peterhans, R., Dahlbäck, F., Tarek Zeidan, J. (2025). Sketching as a Key Tool in Promoting Creative Thinking and Aesthetic Solutions. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2025:5, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Gromark, S., Rönn, M., Thorpert, P. (2024). Editor´s notes. Diversity In Architectural Research. Nordic Journal Of Architectural Research (NJAR), 36 (1): 5-12. 

Haaland, C., Wingren, C., Svensson, K., Thorpert, P. (2024). Ecological design- best practice examples: a study trip to Paris 15-19 August 2022. Department of Landscape Architecture, planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. LTV: Rapportserie; 2024:8.

Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S., Janson, I., Mellby, M., Malmberg Morales, T., Sjöqvist, L., Maksimov, S., Weisend, A. J., Gómez, E., Jonsson, L., Lindahl, A., Klingborg, K., Gredvall, H., Sonoki, T. (2024). Intuitive and rational ways of thinking in design process steps. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2024:3, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S., Tóth-Pál, E., Severs, J., Wihlborg, S., Licina Sjöholm, L., Olsson, T., Gustafsson, V., Andersson, J., Hellertz, E., Živković, J., Kindahl, E., Linder, M., Nilsson, L. (2024). Aspects of design and knowledgebase thinking: design goals framed by Procedural Theory. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2024:4, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Lätt, N., Thorpert, P. (2023). Grönt uppåt väggarna. Bygg & Teknik, (2), 36-39.

Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S. Aspegren, E., Svensson, L., Malmberg, F., Ulinder, E., Sjögren Jonsson, L., von Saurau, O., Wahlberg, C., Olsson, E., Domachowska, K., Allababidi, R. (2023). Design Process Steps – An interwined procedure in the contect of procedural theory. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2023.1, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S., Christensson, A., Grigorovica, K., Nose, H., Stepp, J., Craft, M., Jensen, M., Heideman, L., Kvarnström Sandell, A., Niemi, E., Parve, E., Tangen-Hestnes, L., Ramhult, J., Holmberg, I., Jakobsson, K. (2023). Sketching and Repetition – A fundamental base in the procedural theory mindset. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2023:2, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Thorpert, P., Butler, E., Pálsdóttir, A.M. (2022). Teaching Synergy Forum – Supporting activites for  online education 2020-2021. Report 2022:5, 2022. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
 
Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S., Farttoosi, M., Landstedt, M., Stenebo, J., Borodina, I., Karlmark, S., Persson, P., Kouns, A., Brelid, B., Gallon E., Habén, B. (2022). Procedural Theory – Mental activity progressions, sketching and drawing procedure during the design process. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2022:4, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.
 
Thorpert, P., Sundblad, S., Macias, D., Jakobsson, E., Erven, A. Zarifa, E., Rijksen, M., Törnqvist, L., Martin Pierre. (2022). Procedural Theory – Accomplishing design goals. LTV-Fakultetens Faktablad; 2022:5, Inst. Landskapsarkitektur, Planering och Förvaltning, SLU.

Gunnarsson, A., Thorpert, P. (2015). Analys av designinriktade skötselinsattser i Alnarps Landskapslaboratorium. (Best Practice project) Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, LTV-faculty, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Thorpert, P. (2014). The primary colours impact on greenish vegetation. (Best Practice project) Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, LTV-faculty, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Thorpert, P. (2014). Teaching summary regarding Colour aspects in Landscape study programs in the Nordic countries. (Best Practice project) Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, LTV-faculty, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.