**Background **

The landscapes we inhabit are under increasing pressure from climate change and rapid urbanization. Rising temperatures, intensified rainfall and prolonged droughts require a fundamental shift in the way we approach landscape architecture and planning. As a dynamic and essential element, water plays a crucial role in shaping our environment, making its management more important than ever. This course is a response to the urgent need for landscape architects and planners to integrate digital tools into water-sensitive design. Through hands-on use of cutting-edge digital tools, students will gain the know-how to design resilient and sustainable landscapes in urban and rural areas. By equipping the next generation of designers with these skills, we are empowering them to design water-sensitive environments that meet the challenges of a changing climate.



**Objectives **

This course aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to integrate digital tools into landscape architecture and planning, with an emphasis on water-sensitive design. The rapid advancement of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital modelling has changed the way landscapes are analysed, planned and managed. In this course, students will explore modern digital methods for simulating, visualizing, and evaluating water-related challenges in urban and rural environments. Through the use of geospatial data and advanced computational tools, they will develop the ability to make informed, evidence based decisions that enhance environmental sustainability, improve water management strategies, and contribute to resilient landscape design.



**Content **

The course content combines modules developed in previous courses with new ones inspired by current research projects. These modules are designed to reflect the latest developments in digital landscape planning and water-sensitive design. Key elements include:

• Dynamic flood modelling and simulation using tools such as ArcGIS Pro and PluvioFlow: Focusing on understanding flood dynamics and the impact of landscape features on water flow.

• Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in landscape planning supported by SCALGO for hydrological analysis: Exploring the hydrological performance and design of NBS for stormwater management and water quality improvement.

• 3D data acquisition and visualization through drone technology, using ArcGIS Pro and Drone2Map: Capturing high-resolution data for hydrological modelling and analysis of water-related landscape features (e.g., wetlands, riparian zones).

• Geodesign and urban planning visualization, leveraging the procedural modelling capabilities of CityEngine: Developing and visualizing water-sensitive urban design scenarios, including stormwater infrastructure and blue-green networks.

• Modelling urban landscape pollution and integrating NBS using NICERXL and NICERQ-user interface : Analysing the spatial distribution of water pollutants and modelling the effectiveness of NBS in mitigating water quality issues.



Through these modules, students will engage in hands-on training with state-of-the-art digital tools and methods, including tools recently developed at SLU. The course emphasizes real-world application and encourages students to experiment with data-driven strategies to address contemporary challenges in landscape architecture and planning. Implementation



The course uses a blended learning approach, with about 20% in the form of lectures to teach the theoretical foundations, 40% dedicated to practical exercises in the computer lab and 40% to project-based learning in individual and group work. A particular focus will be on the application of digital techniques for water management in real case study areas, e.g. urban areas at risk of flooding or rural landscapes facing water management challenges in Sweden. Where appropriate, guest lecturers from ongoing research projects or external cooperation partners can help to provide insights into current practices and challenges.



**Assessment **

Student performance will be assessed through a variety of methods designed to assess both theoretical understanding and practical application of water-sensitive digital techniques: 

Written assignments (20%): These can be reports that focus on the main theoretical concepts of water-sensitive design and critical evaluation of different digital methods.

Practical exercises (40%): Several practical exercises will test students' skills in spatial data analysis, digital modelling (e.g., flood modelling, stormwater runoff simulation), and effective use of geospatial tools

Final project (40%): Students will produce a comprehensive landscape analysis or planning proposal that addresses a real-world water-related challenge.