103-0347-00L  Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersA. Grêt-Regamey
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentOnly for master students, otherwise a special permisson by the lecturers is required.


AbstractIn the course, methods for the identification and measurement of landscape characteristics, as well as measures and implementation of landscape planning are taught. Landscape planning is put into the context of the environmental systems (soil, water, air, climate, flora and fauna) and discussed with regard to socio-political questions of the future.
ObjectiveThe aims of this course are:
1) To illustrate the concept of landscape planning, the economic relevance of landscape and nature in the context of the environmental systems (soil, water, air, climate, flora and fauna).
2) To show landscape planning as an integral information system for the coordination of different instruments by illustrating the aims, methods, instruments and their functions in landscape planning.
3) To show the importance of ecosystem services.
4) To point out basic information about nature and landscape: Analysis and assessment of the complex interactions between landscape elements, effects of existing and foreseeable utilization of space (nature goods and services and landscape functions).
5) To identify and measure the characteristics of landscape.
6) Learn how to use the instrument of GIS appropriately in landscape planning.
ContentIn this course, the following topics are discussed:
- Definition of the concept of landscape
- Landscape change
- Landscape planning
- Methods, instruments and aims of landscape planning (politics)
- Socio-political questions of the future
- Environmental systems, IUCN Red List, ecological connectivity
- Urban landscape services
- Practice of landscape planning
- Use of GIS in landscape planning
Lecture notesNo script. The documentation, consisting of presentation slides are partly handed out and are provided for download on the PLUS website.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe contents of the course will be illustrated in the associated lecture 103-0347-01 U (Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems (GIS Exercises)). An combination of courses is recommended.