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 studies 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 winter semester 2025/26

If you are interested, please send an e-mail to Prof. Catrin Schmidt by 12.09.2025 at the latest (also before, some topics are only assigned once)! From 25.08.-05.09.25 Ms. Schmidt is not available due to vacation, during this period please contact Dr. Seidler or Dr. Hanke. We are also happy to support individual topics, please contact us as early as possible if you have any ideas! Workstations can be reserved via Ms. 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.

Please register the topics at the department by September 12, 2025 at the latest (better well in advance, some topics are only assigned once).

1st Water Landscapes: Gravel pit lakes Leuben

In BUGA 2033, the gravel pit lakes Leuben are not planned as the main exhibition area, but at least as an area that is to be upgraded and further developed with BUGA funds. The only question is: How? How can a good balance be found between recreation, nature conservation and flood protection? Which measures can increase the scenic attractiveness of the area for the population even after the BUGA has ended? And which measures - such as floating islands - could also stage "Water Landscapes" for the BUGA in an exhibition-ready yet nature conservation-friendly manner? The task of the master's thesis is to develop a utilization and design concept on the basis of a landscape planning analysis and evaluation of the recreational qualities and the species and biotope stock in the plan area as well as supplementary framework conditions such as flood protection. This should be illustrated in spatial representations, sections and visualizations and detailed in suitable sub-areas.

Design work (plans and design book only)

2. landscape development concept Zschoner Grund Dresden

Dresden has had a large-scale nature conservation project since 2024. Thanks to the associated financial support from the federal government, it is possible to implement far more nature conservation measures than before, whereby the funds are 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

3. 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 the daycare centers of 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

4. the hamster on the island? Species protection concept for field hamsters in Lower Franconia

The field hamster(Cricetus cricetus) is threatened with extinction in Germany and an aid program to protect this characteristic species also had to be initiated in Lower Franconia in Bavaria. There, as in large parts of the rest of our modern cultural landscape, the field hamster has been displaced to a few remaining areas by intensive agriculture, among other things. What possibilities do new measures such as the "field hamster islands" offer for the long-term protection of the field hamster population in Lower Franconia? To what extent can the latest findings on population development be integrated into a landscape planning concept through this measure?
The task of the master's thesis is to develop a species conservation concept for hamsters in one of the three field hamster districts in Lower Franconia, limited to the support area. Within the support area, a sub-area is to be selected in which a long-term area concept for the field hamster is to be developed, which at the same time serves to promote biodiversity and should be embedded in a communication strategy.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans)

5. solar strategy for Central Saxony

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 included in the strategy.

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

6. fruit comp(l)ott in the Rochlitz region

Orchard meadows are a fascinating and ecologically particularly valuable habitat - a feast for the eyes not only when the fruit trees are in bloom. The Rochlitz region in particular has historically had the highest density of orchards in the district of Central Saxony. But what is the situation now? And what can be done in the future to preserve this special landscape feature in the long term? The master's thesis is to take stock of the current situation by evaluating aerial photographs and also on site in a freely selectable focus area. Research will also be carried out into how the orchards are currently maintained and managed. On this basis, a comparison is to be made with the situation in around 2012 (Central Saxony Cultural Landscape Project). Has the situation improved or deteriorated since then? In order to preserve the orchards of the Rochlitz region in the long term, best practice approaches from other regions will also be evaluated. The concept will develop a variety of ideas for the future development of the orchards, including specific measures for individual orchards and measures to improve the economic viability of orchard maintenance.

Planning and scientific work (text and plans)

7 SRC - future or past?

The district of Central Saxony played a pioneering role in the development of short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations: In 2014, more than 1/3 of Saxony's SRCs were located in the district of Central Saxony and a lot of potential was attributed to SRCs. But how has it developed since then? Has its use become established or proven unsustainable, what experiences have been made? The master's thesis will start with a current inventory in the district of Central Saxony and trace the development of SRC to date. Discussions with SRC operators and other stakeholders can provide additional information. Based on this, new developments in the field will be investigated. For example, combinations with chicken farming or combined systems with agroforestry will be discussed. Benefits and limitations, opportunities and obstacles should be summarized. Recommendations for the future development of SRC in the district of Central Saxony are to be drawn up on the basis of this and our own landscape planning assessments based on available data on land use and soils.

Planning-scientific work (text and plans)

8. sponge landscapes using the example of Central Saxony

We need not only sponge towns, but also sponge landscapes! The tragic example of the train accident in Baden-Württemberg shows that heavy rainfall events occur everywhere and can also lead to disasters in rural areas. We need to take better precautions in this regard. For example, watercourses have been culverted for too long, leaving behind runoff and erosion channels that can pose a threat to neighboring villages and infrastructure during heavy rainfall. Using the example of the more steeply sloping farmland areas in the district of Central Saxony, a GIS-based analysis is therefore to be carried out: Where can such drainage channels be expected? And where could they cause particular damage? The first step is to narrow down the area under consideration by evaluating the relief and selecting areas used for arable farming. On the basis of available land use and soil data, the vulnerability of the landscape to heavy rainfall will then be assessed and possible drainage channels and their hazard potential will be examined using an evaluation of aerial photographs. On this basis, a toolbox will be developed that can range from decentralized retention basins to changes in land use and many other measures.

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

current master 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.