3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4018530FER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
Contemporary spatial planning and urbanism cannot be thought of in terms of constructed, built-up areas alone. The spatial condition in Belgium (and abroad) shows an increasing degree of entanglement between built and non-built areas, between city and land, between urban and rural landscapes. Challenges such as climate change and sustainable development cause an increasing demand and emphasis on the importance of landscape and open space. Also closer to our everyday environment, there are many reasons for the development of a high-quality open and green space.
In recent years, the attention and interest for landscape within the planning and urbanism has steadily grown. Certainly the transitional areas between intense urban and larger open spaces are increasing subject of interest. Their assigned role is not only to ensure the quality of urban living- and experience quality, but also absorbing recreation needs, providing space for urban expansion, contributing to food production, education, water management, economic driving force, etc.
Therefore, this course highlights the planning aspects of open space and landscape development in an urbanized and urbanizing context. Mainly the supra-local and regional scale are thereby used.
The aim of this course is to learn to think about, look at, and interpret (hybrid, rural-urban, open) landscapes as well as the intense interactions between built and non-built environments. The ability to analyze a landscape, situating it in its spatial and socio- historical context, and gaining a first insight into possible design strategies that interweave open space and landscape quality with the built environment without denying the characteristic assets of each structure, are the challenges of this course. It should become clear that landscape is not a meaningless or merely visual concept, and open space no 'empty' or 'residual' space, but an essential basis and integral part of a qualitative living environment.
The course consists of three main parts on the theme of landscape:
1) THINKING AND READING
What are we actually talking about, what is 'landscape'? Is everyone talking about the same thing and has ‘landscape’ a particular meaning within spatial planning and urbanism? What are the contemporary (academic) discussions?
This first part contains a brief exploration of some meanings of landscape and the theoretical roots of this field of study within the context of spatial planning and urbanism.
2) EXPLORING
A qualitative development and equipment of a (urbanized, open, rural, and/or hybrid) landscape cannot do without a thorough analysis of the socio-spatial situation and its challenges. This part of the course therefore zooms in on the diversity of landscapes and open spaces and the (mis-)match that exists with spatial planning measures. It provides some first clues for analyzing and landscapes. A terrain exploration of a fringe landscape is hereby part of the course activities.
3) DESIGNING
Finally, we'll look at some ways in which the interaction between built and non-built, urban and rural landscapes can be designed. In addition to a brief historical overview of development strategies, attention is mainly paid to contemporary project-based approaches and instruments. Used design strategies and the roles of design are discussed in detail.
None.
Central goal: how to understand, analyze and develop green and open space in an urbanized territory?
The goal of this course is first of all to think about, look at and interpret the intense interaction between built and un-built environments. To be able to analyze a landscape, situate it in its spatial and socio-historical context, and gain an understanding in possible design strategies in which open space and landscape can be interwoven qualitatively in the built environment (without any of these structures losing its own identity) are the challenges dealt with in this course. It can be clear that landscape is not an empty concept, and open space not ‘empty’ or ‘leftover’ space, but an essential basis and integral part of a qualitative urbanized environment.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Evaluation: paper & oral exam.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Urban Studies: Standard track
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 1 (Bachelor via SCH of VRB) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 2 (Master indirect) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 3 (Bachelor of Master direct) (only offered in Dutch)