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Studying in 'Florence on the Elbe'
Dresden lies between the Elbe Sandstone Highlands, the vineyards of Radebeul, and the region of Lusatia. Its attractive landscape is marked most particularly by unique historic ensembles of buildings and gardens and by the characteristic meadows and valley slopes bordering the river Elbe. The Outer Neustadt district is much loved by students for its vibrant cultural scene and lively bars. The ancient city centre boasts numerous historic buildings, parks and cultural institutions. The charming countryside surrounding the city offers many forms of local recreation: cycling or rowing on the Elbe, walking in the vineyards, climbing in the Elbe Sandstone Highlands or hiking in the 'National Park Saxon Switzerland', to mention only a few. Furthermore, amongst the advantages that Dresden offers its students are thoroughly affordable living costs, ample suitable accommodation, and study courses without tuition fees.
Profile
The Landscape Architecture programme is a preparation for a career as a landscape architect. Students acquire knowledge and skills required for the planning and designing, building, preservation, development and management of open spaces and landscapes.
Why study Landscape Architecture?
Foremost amongst the present global processes of demographic and spatial change are urban densification and growth on the one hand and shrinkage on the other. In view of this, increasing importance is now being attached to the task of maintaining and shaping rural and urban landscapes and open areas as living spaces for humans, spaces that express the diversity of our common human cultural and natural heritage and are fundamental to human identity. Landscape architecture is becoming an increasingly important determinant factor in urban and regional development. It has a formative impact on green, urban, technical and social infrastructure, thus making an essential contribution to the functional, emotional, ecological and economic enhancement of all kinds of localities. It plays an extremely important role in the aesthetic enriching of our human environment.
Landscape architecture is a forward-looking instrument for the protection of limited natural resources. It seeks contemporary responses to the challenges of climate change and to processes of social transformation. Dealing with these complex and interconnected tasks across all scales calls for a broad range of knowledge and a capacity for interdisciplinary, research-based learning.
Why at the University of Excellence TU Dresden?
The TU Dresden's Landscape Architecture programme is distinguished by a unique combination of skills and knowledge from the fields of design, natural science, ecology, planning and technical construction. The core competences are taught through the Institute's five Chairs. This distinctive character is further enhanced through interlinking with neighbouring disciplines at the TU Dresden. The limitation on matriculations for the Landscape Architecture programmes to a maximum of 55 places per year enables students to receive individual supervision and engage in exchange with their teachers on a personal level. The Bachelor's programme consists of six semesters, the Master's programme of four.
Bachelor's programme
The Bachelor's programme (180 credits) offers a widely varied basic training composed of the following fields of study: Landscape Architecture; Fundamentals of Ecology; Architecture and Urbanism; Presentation Methods and Fundamentals of Design. It imparts the following competences:
- Knowledge of the essential ecological, social and urbanistic factors and their combined effect on landscape and open spaces, and the ability to use scientific methods to capture and evaluate the current state of landscape and open spaces efficiently.
- Familiarity with historical, design-, planning-, technical-, and legal-related fundamentals and instruments, as well as the ability to use these to carry out landscape architectural tasks at a variety of levels.
- Acquisition of a broad knowledge of the professional tasks of landscape architects and the ability to develop a professional profile of one's own.
Graduation with the university degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) provides graduates with their first qualification for work in the profession and enables them to undertake a wide variety of tasks in the field of landscape architecture. The qualification puts students in a position to continue their university training in, for example, the TU Dresden Master's programme in Landscape Architecture.
Master's programme
The Master's programme (120 credits) builds on the content of the the TU Dresden's Bachelor's programme in Landscape Architecture, deepening the knowledge of interrelations between the ecological, social, and urbanism fields, and of the consequent effects on landscape and open spaces. It imparts:
- Competence in designing and developing open spaces and landscapes on various spatial levels.
- Comprehensive knowledge of how to use scientific, planning and design methods to capture the state of landscape and open spaces efficiently and to make sound judgements about them.
- Enhanced skills in using the instruments commonly applied to tasks in the field of landscape architecture.
- Qualification to work independently in planning, design and research.
The Master's programme enables students – in accordance with their own study plan – either to acquire a broad-based qualification or to pursue an individual speciality. The successful completion of the Master's programme leads to the granting of the university degree Master of Science (M.Sc.). The Master's programme prepares students for professional life as a landscape architect, for work in research and development, and for executive posts in the management and administration of public and private open spaces.
Modules Bachelor's programme
| A–LB 110 | Landscape Construction Vocabulary |
| A–LB 120 | Landscape Design with Plants |
| A–LB 130 | Introduction to Landscape Architecture Design |
| A–LB 140 | Basic Ecology |
| A–LB 150 | Foundations of Art and Architecture – Surface Mass Space |
| A–LB 160 | Presentation Methods: Principles versus Trial Action |
| A–LB 210 | Botany |
| A–LB 220 | Foundations of Art and Architecture – Spatial Composition |
| A–LB 230 | History of Landscape Architecture |
| A–LB 310 | Landscape Architecture Design Project |
| A–LB 320 | Landscape Construction |
| A–LB 330 | Introduction to Landscape Planning and Spatial Planning |
| A–LB 340 | Fundamentals of Urban Design |
| A–LB 410 | Landscape Planning Project |
| A–LB 420 | Planting Design |
| A–LB 430 | Garden Conservation |
| A–LB 440 | Vegetation, Plant Communities and Habitat Types |
| A–LB 450 | ICT Information and Communication Technology: Basics of GIS Application |
| A–LB 510 | Landscape Construction Project |
| A–LB 520 | Landscape Architecture Design |
| A–LB 610 | Urbanism and Urban Landscape |
| A–LB 620 | Professional Practice Planting and Constructing |
Elective Compulsory Modules
A–LB 251 History of Western Architecture A–LB 252 Building Theory A–LB 551 Climate and Habitat A–LB 552 Nature Conservation: Strategies and Measures A–LB 553 Biogeochemical Cycling in Forests A–LB 561 Applied Garden Conservation A–LB 562 Landscape Planning A–LB 571 ICT Information and Communication Technology: Basics of ICT Application in Object Planning A–LB 572 Cooperative Urban Design A–LB 661 Vegetation Management A–LB 671 Color Lab A–LB 672 Presentation Methods: Art and Communication A–LB 681 Interdisciplinary Qualification Landscape Architecture A–LB 682 Student Council A–LB 683 Introduction to Professional and Academic Language A–LB 684 Elementary Level Foreign Language A–LB 685 Study Trip Landscape Architecture
Modules Master's programme
| A–LM 110 | Urban Landscapes Integrated Project |
| A–LM 130 | Professional Practice in Planning and Management |
| A–LM 210 | Landscape Architecture Project |
| A–LM 220 | Landscape Planning in the Context of Spatial and Specialized Planning |
| A–LM 230 | Landscape Architecture – Research by Design |
| A–LM 240 | Economic Planning and Building for Landscape Architecture |
| A–LM 310 | Landscape Architecture Advanced Project |
Elective Compulsory Modules
A–LM 120 Landscape Architecture in a Subject-specific Context Advanced Module A–LM 241 Planning the Urban Space – Tools, Methods, Communication and Cooperation A–LM 243 History of Garden Culture and Garden Conservation A–LM 244 Landscape Construction Implementation Project A–LM 245 Landscape Development A–LM 321 Advanced Study Course in Garden Conservation A–LM 322 Planting Design for Public Urban Spaces A–LM 323 Landscape Development (Consolidation) A–LM 251 Contract, Budget and Economic Efficiency for (Landscape)Architects A–LM 252 Urbanism and Urban Design A–LM 253 Specialized Module Urban Design A–LM 254 Urban Planning and Local Construction Planning A–LM 255 Architecture Supplementary Project A–LM 256 Spatial Planning A–LM 257 Urban Planning Project A–LM 341 Inclusive Design A–LM 342 Transdisciplinary Teamwork A–LM 261 Landscape Climate A–LM 262 Soil Protection A–LM 263 Management and Monitoring in Protected Areas A–LM 264 Silviculture for Landscape Architects A–LM 265 Ecological Water Course Design A–LM 266 Hydrology and Fundamentals of Hydraulic Engineering A–LM 351 International Processes for the Protection and Management of Forests A–LM 352 Basics of Forest Law and Forest History A–LM 353 Forest Policy and Nature Conservation Policy A–LM 354 Transport Ecology A–LM 271 Selected Facets of Presentation A–LM 272 Additional Facets of Presentation A–LM 273 3D Modelling A–LM 274 Remote Sensing A–LM 275 Information and Communication Technology: Basics of Workflow Management, Customization and Automation A–LM 361 Information and Communication Technology: Basics of Project Management A–LM 281 Study Trip Landscape Architecture
Fields of Study
In the Landscape Architecture study field, all the core competences of the subject are imparted in a thoroughly practice-oriented manner, both in the Bachelor's and in the Master's programme. The Landscape Architecture and Architecture programmes are organized in one and the same faculty and are thus closely interconnected – as in the professional world. The Faculty of Architecture belongs to the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as do all the other related faculties. This special feature of the TU Dresden makes it possible to incorporate modules from the study fields Architecture and Urbanism, Fundamentals of Ecology, and Presentation Methods and Fundamentals of Design into the Landscape Architecture course, thus enabling students to acquire interdisciplinary skills during their studies. Over and above this special feature, general competences are promoted and developed in, for example, the media, social, and intercultural fields; in addition, students may acquire various kinds of other cross disciplinary qualifications.
A programme with a rich tradition
The TU Dresden's Landscape Architecture programme can look back on a long tradition. The study course originated in the discipline 'Garden and Rural Management' at the Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture of the Humboldt University, Berlin, where Germany's first university chair of horticultural design was founded in 1929. In 1970, the increasing importance of the subject and its close association with architecture and urban planning led to the institute being transferred with its course of study to the TU Dresden (at that time Technische Hochschule), which had had a chair of landscape architecture within the Faculty of Architecture since the end of the Second World War. After having offered the only university degree course in landscape architecture in GDR it was continued following German reunification, reformed in 1995, and replaced in 2010/11 with the Bachelor's and Master's programme of Landscape Architecture.
Institute of Landscape Architecture
The institute's five chairs – History of Landscape Architecture and Preservation of Garden Monuments, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Engineering, Landscape Planning, Planting Design – cover the central competences and task areas of the Landscape Architecture programme.
Research
Research at the institute's five chairs is devoted to questions related to the pursuit of sustainable, aesthetic, and high-quality landscape, open space, and urban development. It thus makes a vital contribution to present-day environmental 'Baukultur'. The research topics chosen are ones currently under discussion in the political and spatial planning policy fields, and they relate to not only the urban but also the rural environment. The range is enormous, from the regional planning level down to details of construction and planting, and from accounts of historical development through to studies devoted to design in the future.
Chair of History of Landscape Architecture and Preservation of Garden Monuments
Our entire environment has grown historically: gardens, parks, urban spaces and landscapes have come into being over centuries. Why do they exist? What do they look like? The subject History of Landscape Architecture explores these questions, with important roles being played by art, literature, architecture, politics, economics, education, biographies, plants and climate. Preservation of Historic Gardens, which can be described as a 'restoration science', addresses the question of how we approach and handle our open spaces. Its task is to preserve historic gardens and parks for future generations.
Climate change and land consumption factors can upset the balance of our historically evolved environment – or even destroy it. We endeavour to react to this challenge with select student projects and also by taking action, for example, organizing and carrying out work assignments in historical gardens.
It is of prime importance to use one's explorer spirit in order to understand the value of our horticultural heritage, to work committedly on protecting it from danger, and to think ahead in terms of sustainable solutions.
Research makes history come alive. The gardens themselves are our laboratories, but so are the archives and libraries. For us, scientific work means research, analysis and evaluation. Exciting results are published and presented to the public. When we collaborate with local authorities, associations and societies, both sides benefit. The topics focused upon as a rule relate to direct application and thus advance the preservation and maintenance of historic gardens.
Chair of Landscape Architecture
The Chair's teaching mandate is to impart landscape-architectural knowledge and skills required from the conception of ideas through to the implementation of designs. Programmes and scales are tried out using a variety of design methods and in fields ranging from urban development to object planning. In this process, the goal is a high quality realization of open space that takes account of a complex multiplicity of factors, including social, economic and ecological demands as well as spatial and process-related aspects.
Study course assignments focus on socially relevant topics and current issues in landscape architecture, so that students develop an awareness of their special responsibility as designers of the environment. A constant exchange between theory and practice is pursued: theory is tested with reference to practice and practice is further developed with reference to theory. The aim is to train up a constructive, enthusiastic and critical new generation that is capable of meeting high demands in the field of design.
Openness, multi-dimensionality, creativity, an interdisciplinary approach and team spirit are basic preconditions for good planning.
Chair of Landscape Engineering
The process from an idea to its execution is marked by interplay between technical skills, knowledge of structural design, and experience of planning's consequences on the senses and on mood. The Chair of Landscape Engineering focuses on this thoroughly creative process and imparts foundational knowledge of the vocabulary of landscape architecture.
The capacity for cross-sectional, research-oriented and experimental thinking and project development is expanded through the exploration of various strategies for seeking practicable solutions for materials and details, defining quality criteria and conducting targeted research. With the same aim in mind, students are led to interfaces with related disciplines. With reference to practical examples, students and teachers discuss functionality, modes of construction, sizing, materiality, and the efficiency of resources and their cycles.
Research focuses on the identification of sustainable construction and evaluation methods. Among the topics explored are inclusive building and planning, integrated rainwater management, and the use of grey water in rooftop greening. These research topics also provide input for the TU Dresden 'Campus Design Masterplan' commissioned by the University Executive Board, which is an ongoing project being drafted with other participants from the Institute of Landscape Architecture.
Chair of Landscape Planning
Landscape planning deals with the sustainable development and design of landscapes at different scales – from whole regions or local municipalities down to individual areas. What, for example, can we do to counter climate change? How can the energy transition be implemented in a way that is compatible with nature, and how can the decline in biodiversity be halted? In what kind of landscape do we want to live in the future? We are learning to evaluate the diverse ecological and cultural functions of a landscape in a more informed way, so that we can decide together with local stakeholders what should be preserved and what should be changed. The aim is to develop and realize creative ideas and projects for landscape development in the future.
What kind of landscapes do we want for our future?
In practice, landscape planning offers a very wide range of tasks. On the one hand, it comprises landscape programmes, landscape framework plans, landscape plans or green order plans as specialized means of planning nature conservation and landscape management. On the other hand, from an environmental point of view, it accompanies transport or raw material extraction projects or other construction projects in which environmental assessments or FFH-impact assessments are carried out. It also deals with the impact of regulation and special species protection. At the same time, there are many informal concepts and management approaches in landscape development. But however different the instruments may be in individual cases, the task always remains the same: to protect and actively develop nature and landscape in their diverse biotic and abiotic functions and as the basis of human life and the cornerstone of human identity.
Looking for landscape? We rethink it!
In its research, the Chair of Landscape Planning focuses on landscape transformation processes and the development of planning methods with which landscape change can be actively shaped.
There is no Planet B! Preserve what is worth protecting and change what should long have been done away with. Every line that appears on a plan today can be part of our living environment tomorrow.
Junior Professorship in Planting Design
The use of plants to achieve goals in landscape and open space planning is a key competence of landscape architecture and an important feature that distinguishes landscape architecture from other planning disciplines. Plants are an indispensable means of achieving goals in design and the improvement of the living environment. As well as helping to counterbalance climatic extremes and making towns and cities more agreeable places to live in, they provide innumerable animal species with food and habitats. Plants enable us to appreciate the changing seasons and the natural world in our urban environment.
Teaching at the department of planting design is aimed at building up and deepening knowledge of species and methods in this field. Students acquire extensive knowledge in several fields, in particular: trees, shrubs and perennial and their optimal location and combination, vegetation technique and management, and the principles of planting design.
Our aim is to train landscape architects who are capable of using plants creatively, innovatively and with enthusiasm.
Architecture and Urbanism, Presentation Methods and Fundamentals of Design
The traditionally close connection between the Architecture and Landscape Architecture programmes is a special feature of the TU Dresden – not only in teaching but also in research. Urbanism, Building Theory, Architectural History, Fundamentals of Design, Presentation Methods, and Economic Planning and Building are compulsory modules in the Landscape Architecture programme. Furthermore, students on the Master's programme can go more deeply into these fields in an extensive range of elective modules.
Fundamentals of Ecology
The ecological fundamentals relevant to landscape architecture are taught in close association with other study programmes. For example, students learn the basics of botany and soil science together with the forestry students at Tharandt, one of the world's oldest training institutions in this field. Close relations are maintained with the faculties of Environmental Sciences, Civil Engineering (hydraulic engineering), and Biology.
Student Council / Alumni
The Student Council (SC) is the official representative body for all the students of a given faculty. The SC of the Faculty of Architecture deals with the interests of Architecture and Landscape Architecture students alike. Its members, who are newly elected each year, give advice to students before and during their studies, look after them at the start of their course, and represent their interests in the process of university self-government.
Founded as a non-profit-making association in 1998, the Friends of the Institute of Landscape Architecture of the TU Dresden supports teaching and research at the institute, in order to generate greater public awareness of topical issues in landscape architecture.
Student Council
SCs are active in a variety of decision-making bodies and participate in shaping the study programmes. In addition to its involvement in university politics, the SC of the Faculty of Architecture sells materials for architectural drawing and model-building, organizes regular parties and other events, and contributes to ensuring that new students feel warmly welcomed and accepted as they embark upon their course of study. We want to work with you on shaping our study programme – why not stand as a candidate at the next election? You too could participate in further improving teaching and studying at the TU Dresden. We are always pleased to have new and well-motivated members – every member counts, and so does every vote. Come and play your part!
Friends of the Institute of Landscape Architecture
The association supports scientific and scholarly publications, the specialist library, institute events and celebrations, and cooperation between the institute and other bodies. In addition, it is mandated to support the organization of guest lectures and field trips and to sponsor gifted students and up-and-coming young academics. It provides its members with regular news concerning teaching and research at the institute, price reductions for events and publications, forums for professional contacts, and the possibility of supporting the institute's activities by offering ideas and food-for-thought. Last but not least, its activities in facilitating networking across the generations makes the association a living archive of more than fifty years of landscape architecture training in Dresden.
Celebrations
The teachers and students of the Institute for Landscape Architecture have a long tradition of punctuating the year with celebrations, along with the alumni and other colleagues involved in the study programme. While the fifth-semester students host the annual christmas party, the institute's teachers are responsible for the summer party, which is traditionally held in the garden of the Hülssehof on the TU Campus. The formal presentation of the Master's degree certificates takes place together with the whole of the Faculty of Architecture.