Urban Landscape Futures

In the time of climate change and rapid urbanisation the studio explores a new approach to urban landscape design: one that is active and productive rather than ornamental and resource intensive. The emphasis will be on design of urban-landscape systems focusing on natural processes, climate suitability, habitat creation, recharged water systems, and working with existing land forms with minimum artificial controls while creating attractive usable social spaces. We will also study both the requirements for creating functional public space with an equal focus on regenerative nature conservation. The studio will include lectures, workshops and tutorials on native flora and fauna, landscape aesthetics, ecosystem services and seasonal landscape change. Students will create lively, joyful and productive spaces communicated through sketches, renderings and modelling. Through this studio, students will learn about design of public spaces with a focus on leading contemporary thinking about sustainable landscape design practice.