Master theses

Das Bild zeigt einen Ausschnitt einer studentischen Arbeit mit dem Thema "Auwaldstation Leipzig".

The Master's thesis at the Chair of Landscape Planning offers the opportunity to deepen the knowledge acquired during the course of study by means of an intensive examination of the content-related and methodological issues of the subject area in terms of scientific theory or to apply it in planning.

Topics in landscape planning for Master's theses in the summer semester 2026

If you are interested, please send an e-mail to Prof. Catrin Schmidt by March 2, 2026 at the latest (also before, some topics are only assigned once)! In addition to the following topics, individual topics are also gladly supported, please contact us as early as possible if you have any ideas! Workstations can be reserved via Ilka Werblow.

Basic GIS knowledge is required for all topics, as data is usually available as shapes and at least one data export is required. If advanced GIS knowledge is required for selected topics, this is indicated in the brief descriptions below.

The following topics, which are also illustrated in the video, will be offered in the coming winter semester.

Green lifeline: From Prohlis to the Elbe

According to the current "Momentum BUGA 2033", two green lifelines are to be developed in Dresden as part of the planned Federal Garden Show. One of these, the green lifeline from Prohlis to the Elbe, is to be planned and designed in greater depth in the master's thesis. The focus is not on the two planned core areas of the racecourse and the gravel lakes, but rather on their integration into the overarching green corridor. Where, for example, could a new cycle and footpath link run between Prohlis and the Kiesseen lakes? Where are the gaps in the green network along the Geberbach stream? How can the public space in Prohlis be upgraded, taking into account the special development needs of the district? And how can one get from one core area to another during the BUGA?

Based on an evaluation of existing plans and a landscape planning analysis and assessment, the task of the master's thesis is to specify the need for action in the plan area and to develop a utilization and design concept as well as a narrative for the lifeline. This is to be illustrated in spatial representations, sections and visualizations and detailed in suitable sub-areas.

Design work (plans and design book only)

Floating Islands at the BUGA Dresden

Floating islands are floating islands that can fulfill a wide variety of landscape functions - from water purification and the provision of habitats to the creation of floating recreational facilities. There are numerous design variants and planting options. Given the limited space available in cities and the flexible and innovative design options of floating islands, they could be exhibited in a targeted manner at the BUGA 2033 in Dresden. But where and how? The task of the master's thesis is to look for a suitable exhibition location in Dresden as part of the BUGA, based on an examination of the possibilities and limitations of the Floating Islands. Alternative locations are to be evaluated comparatively. Finally, a design concept for the Floating Islands is to be developed at the preferred location, based on landscape planning analyses and evaluations of the site and illustrated in spatial representations, sections and visualizations. Concept modules and, in particular, the planting are to be detailed. At the same time, process-related planning is required (before, during and after the BUGA).

Design work (plans and design book only)

Zschoner Grund Dresden landscape development concept

Dresden has had a major nature conservation project since 2024. The associated financial support from the federal government will make it possible to implement far more nature conservation measures than before, with the funds to be used specifically in the project areas of the large-scale nature conservation project. The Zschoner Grund is part of the Western Loess Plateau project area and will be considered in the master's thesis with its catchment area from the Elbe to the city limits near Kesselsdorf. The valley and its wooded areas offer great potential. At the same time, however, the area is also used intensively for agriculture and sometimes lacks landscape structures in the open land. How should the landscape of the area be developed in the future? In the master's thesis, a species and biotope protection concept is to be developed, which will be linked to aspects of recreational provision and climate adaptation.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans), advanced GIS skills required

Tree-strong Chemnitz (or Dresden)

At present, more trees have to be felled in many German cities than can be replanted due to vegetation damage. However, it must be possible to significantly increase the urban tree population in order to offer quality of life for the urban population in the future despite rising temperatures. How can this be achieved? Using the city of Chemnitz (or Dresden) as an example, the master's thesis will develop ideas and concrete projects at a city-wide level that not only serve to preserve but also to increase the tree population. The first step is to evaluate how the tree population of the respective city has developed in recent years and where spatial problem areas lie (current and future climate change). At the same time, existing statutes and how they are dealt with will be evaluated. Dresden, for example, has a tree protection statute (2018), while Chemnitz is currently revising its own. Dresden has a draft of a greening statute, Chemnitz a parking space design statute (2021). In addition, best practice examples are to be researched. On this basis, a set of formal (e.g. bylaws) and informal instruments (e.g. tree donations) will be developed for the specific city, which will be elaborated in selected components and prepared in an implementation-oriented manner.

Planning-scientific work (text and plans)

Climate-adapted day care centers? A study in Dresden.

The average temperature is rising, heat waves are increasing and heavy rainfall events are alternating more and more frequently with periods of drought. Children of kindergarten age are particularly vulnerable to climatic extremes. How climate-adapted are Dresden's daycare centers really? Where is there a particular need for action? And what tools can be recommended to achieve better climate adaptation? The main task of the master's thesis is to develop and implement a methodology with which all daycare centers in the city of Dresden can be comparatively analyzed and evaluated with regard to their climate adaptation on the basis of available data (aerial photographs, NDVI, heat load index). Based on this, those daycare centers will be selected where there is a particularly high need for action for a climate-adapted conversion of the outdoor area. Priority measures are to be identified for these.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans); advanced GIS skills required

When the moose come

For some years now, moose have been increasingly migrating from Poland and the Czech Republic to Germany, especially to Brandenburg, Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In summer, they swim across the border rivers. In winter, they simply walk across the ice. Until the early Middle Ages, large deer were still widespread throughout Germany. The WWF currently assumes that around 15 moose have already resettled permanently in Brandenburg, and the trend is rising. How could the elk population in Germany continue to spread and what would this change in terms of ecosystems and landscapes? What opportunities, but possibly also conflicts, does this present, and what landscape planning action may be required as a result? Based on an analysis of habitat requirements, its current distribution and the development of populations in Europe, the master's thesis will develop a GIS-based habitat model for Germany, which will be used to forecast the future spread of the moose. In addition, interviews with moose experts and evaluations of specialist literature will be used to assess the ecosystem and landscape changes caused by the migrating moose and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Finally, in a freely selectable area of spatial specialization, an exemplary landscape planning concept is to be developed with which the greatest possible added value for the landscape can be achieved and possible conflicts reduced.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans), advanced GIS skills required

Environmental report versus GOP

Using the example of a development plan being drawn up for the Höckendorf zoo in the municipality of Klingenberg, the interfaces between the environmental report and the green structure plan will be discussed and explored. Do these instruments complement each other in a meaningful way or do they compete with each other? In order to answer this question, the key components of both an environmental report and a green structure plan are to be developed on the basis of a landscape planning analysis and assessment of the plan area (approx. 27,000 m²) and a draft of the development plan. The result can be presented as an environmental report with an integrated green space plan. Based on the case study, synergies and possible overlaps between the two instruments will be discussed and solution strategies identified.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans), advanced GIS skills required

Meadow dreams

The district of Central Saxony stretches from the hills around Döbeln to the mountains of the Erzgebirge and combines a variety of different meadow types - from lowland meadows to mountain meadows. At present, however, it is not only in this district that species-rich meadows are quietly dying out. How can this be counteracted and the diversity of Central Saxon meadows preserved? The Master's thesis is suitable for anyone who enjoys botanical exploration. Travel costs for three days of mapping are covered by the chair. The first task of the master's thesis is to carry out a GIS-based analysis of the decline of protected meadows in the district based on a comparison of data from 2014 and current data (SBK) and at the same time to cluster and typify the meadows in terms of natural space. For each of the relevant meadow types, some potentially valuable meadows are then to be selected and their vegetation examined on site. Similarly, suitable forms of care and management and innovative best practice approaches are to be researched. As a result, a district-wide project is to be conceptually developed and structured, with which meadow maintenance is to be designed for the future through funding and informal approaches.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans)

Central Saxony solar strategy

Many open-space photovoltaic systems are currently being built up and down the country, including in the district of Central Saxony - mostly without any overarching concept. Should this continue in the future? Where are favorable areas for ground-mounted PV systems, and where are restriction or exclusion areas? And how should newer developments such as agri-PV systems or floating PV systems, animal welfare systems or bifacial fences be dealt with? In the master's thesis, the first step is to spatially evaluate the stock of ground-mounted PV systems and to prepare a textual analysis of the current legal and funding framework conditions. On this basis and the available landscape data for the district, favorable, restricted and excluded areas for ground-mounted PV systems, including their special forms, are to be formed and a strategy developed as to how the district should deal with the use of solar energy in the future. Rooftop PV systems should not be analyzed in depth, but should nevertheless be taken into account in the strategy.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans), advanced GIS skills required

current master's theses

current Master's theses

Previous topics Master's theses

Previous topics Diploma theses

previous topics of diploma theses

It is possible to view completed Master's theses or diploma theses on site by sending an e-mail request to the Chair's office.