Undergraduate Study
Landscape Architecture
Study Programme Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Goran Andlar, PhD
The study of landscape architecture was established in response to spatial and social needs in the Republic of Croatia. The current era is characterized by increasing human demand for space, which has led to changes and loss of value in landscapes. In order to address spatial problems and demonstrate our commitment to the environment, a broad education in social sciences and processes that affect landscape changes is essential. Therefore, this programme is interdisciplinary, particularly in terms of the organisation of lectures. The knowledge on which landscape architecture activities are based is drawn from many areas, including natural, ecological, socio-economic, technical, and planning disciplines. As a result, professors from other faculties at the University of Zagreb and the Biotechnical faculty at the University of Ljubljana participate in this programme.
Description
Graduates of landscape architecture are adequately trained in disciplines that provide important knowledge for spatial planning, natural and cultural heritage protection, and environmental protection. In landscape formation, important knowledge includes the creation of new landscape structures and the restoration of damaged and polluted landscapes. The professional goals of the programme are to develop cognitive and artistic abilities in the areas of landscape formation and landscape planning. Landscape formation involves the spatial distribution of landscape elements and their physical determination to achieve functional, ecologically balanced, and aesthetically pleasing structural units. Landscape planning involves an understanding of natural values and the determination of measures for their protection.
In terms of education, the objectives of the programme are: to acquire knowledge of how to identify and recognise people's needs in open spaces; to master artistic skills required to visualise landscape architecture objects; to master the process of forming different typologies of landscape structures, such as house gardens, children's playgrounds, parks and residential environments, public institution environments, public squares, recreational and sports areas, graveyards, and motorways, etc.; to gain insight into the methodology of urban and landscape planning through practical application; to develop an awareness of environmental protection and the protection of natural and cultural heritage; to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge about the protection and restoration of historical objects.
During the first year of study, students acquire basic knowledge in botany, mathematics and informatics. During their second and third year, students acquire specific knowledge and skills in landscape formation and landscape planning. In addition to theoretical concepts covered during these lectures, the focus of the programme is on seminars and individual projects, which encourage the development of design skills. In the fifth semester, students work in project teams consisting of five students, thus developing the ability to work in teams and manage projects. There is also a compulsory practical work period of two months and field lectures, which aims to familiarise students with natural characteristics, open-space sketching, and to gain knowledge on landscapes and cultural heritage. In their sixth semester, students write their final thesis. Public defence is a prerequisite for completing this programme.
Graduates of this programme are authorised to use the legally protected university degree of Bachelor (Baccalaureus) in Engineering of Landscape Architecture and perform professional tasks in the area of their qualification. Graduates acquire knowledge and skills for solving tasks of medium complexity in the area of landscape formation. The focus is on perfecting drawing and computer skills, composing the technical base (structure of landscape), determining natural and cultural characteristics of landscapes and knowledge of administrative and legal procedures, designing simple objects for landscape decoration, making plans of planting and site plans of landscape construction works, and composing lists of works and bills of materials and costs. Employment is not necessarily limited to the area of landscape architecture.
Upon completion of the undergraduate study programme, students will have the right to enrol in any of the thirteen graduate programmes at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, subject to the conditions applicable to each study programme. Students will also have the right to enrol in any other university in Croatia or abroad, subject to the conditions established by the relevant institutions.
Objective
Drawing on current scientific knowledge in the fields of landscape design, planning, and management, as well as contemporary teaching practices, the objective of the course is to equip students with the skills and competencies needed for various jobs in landscape architecture. This includes skills related to landscape protection, preservation and promotion of natural and cultural heritage, rational land use and protection of natural resources, as well as restoration and protection of historical objects, and the design and construction of new landscapes.
The aim is to prepare students to tackle increasingly large, diverse and complex human spatial needs that influence changes and the loss of value in the landscape and space. Such challenges require a broad education in various areas, including natural, ecological, socio-economic, technical, biotechnical, and artistic disciplines. Therefore, the course is interdisciplinary, and six constituent units of the University of Zagreb are involved in teaching activities.
The aim of the undergraduate study programme is to prepare students for jobs as associates in project and planning offices, construction, maintenance and care of urban green areas companies, protection of natural and cultural heritage and the environment institutions, city administrative services, relevant ministries, as well as working as officers in professional associations and societies, and working independently on less demanding tasks in the field of landscape architecture (according to valid regulations). The programme also prepares students to continue their education at the graduate study level.
Learning outcomes
- Recognise landscape components as parts of a broader environmental system and distinguish the existing from desired state of the landscape.
- Identify spatial and social problems of less complex landscape architecture objects.
- Understand the foundations and basic principles of development and activity in the field of landscape architecture.
- Interpret information on the landscape and apply planning and designing methods specific to landscape architecture.
- Recognise standardisation and optimisation as possible approaches for landscape and environment protection.
- Generate and develop creative alternatives of possible solutions for less complex landscape architecture objects.
- Plan and design simple landscape architecture objects according to planning, designing and engineering principles, including work organisation and realisation costs.
- Implement appropriate manual and computer graphic techniques commonly used in the field of landscape architecture.
- Recognise and evaluate the existing state of less complex landscape objects.
- Generate models of the landscape as a real/physical and value construct.
- Manage geographic information systems.
- Develop communication and cooperation with experts from related fields and recognise the value of teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach.
- Collaborate in the development of planting schemes and landscape-construction works (layout and construction plan).
- Orally and graphically present and justify proposed solutions to professionals and the general public.