Print Syllabus

Syllabus

LK0427 Sustainable maintenance of urban green areas, and plant knowledge, 15.0 Credits

Hållbar skötsel av urbana grönområden samt växtkännedom

Subjects

Landscape Architecture

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Sustainable maintenance	9.0	0001
Spring plant knowledge	1.5	0002
Trees and shrubs	3.0	0003
Floristics	1.5	0004

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1N)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to:

- Mathematics 2a or Mathematics 2b or Mathematics 2c
- Science studies 2
- Social studies 1b or Social studies 1a1

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with basic knowledge in the management of green-urban spaces and nature in cities. The course equally aims to improve the student’s knowledge in plants.

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Identify a selection of trees, shrubs, herbaceous and bulbous plants. Both cultivated and native flora.
• Explain how different types of existing plant-sites can be maintained and improved.
• Describe how common plant damages can be identified and treated.

Competences and skills

• Analyze a green-urban area and propose a management plan based on defined goals.
• Write a short essay with requirements for structure and references.
• Plan and implement maintenance measures for different types of vegetation.

Judgement and approach

• Relate management to aspects such as function, ecology, aesthetics and history

Content

Thematic content

The course focuses on sustainable management of different types of green-urban spaces and landscapes close to urban areas.

Through lectures, reading literature and field trips, the student gains knowledge about the purpose and content of management plans. This knowledge is applied in a mandatory exercise where the student has to create a management plan. The student writes an essay with focus on structure, search for relevant information and referencing. The theoretical section of the course focuses on how the characteristics of natural and developed sites can be modified through various maintenance measures. These measures are applied to both soils and plants. Plant protection is also included. Different sustainability perspectives linked to maintenance, such as, functional, ecological, ethical, historical, aesthetic and economic are addressed.

Several practical exercises are included; where groups of students plan and carry out care measures in different types of environments. The course also includes a practical inventory task.

Knowledge in plants focuses on identification and habitats. In addition, the section on cultivated plants addresses use, quality and aesthetic values.

Implementation

The course uses different teaching methods to improve learning by alternating between theory and practice. This includes lectures, literature studies, exercises, excursions and practical sessions. A major part of teaching knowledge in plants takes place in the field; both in the form of field-tours in landscaped-environments and during field exercises in natural habitats.

The course focuses on information literacy, critical thinking, problem solving and written communication. Collaboration, independence, digital competence, and time management are also addressed.

The course includes mandatory seminars, excursions and field exercises.

Collaboration with society will take place with the help of guest lecturers and/or guides for study visits and excursions.

Grading form

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.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved exercises, exams and active participation in mandatory sections.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Urban and Rural Development

Cooperating departments: