Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a Master's program in Landscape Architecture, with a course focused on Urban Ecosystems: Structures, Functions, and Designs.

Course Description

The course explores how nature-based solutions (NbS) can be used to adapt cities to climate change and enhance overall sustainability. It combines scientific knowledge with landscape design and transition theory, covering biophysical mechanisms and societal context for facilitating the green transition.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will have an understanding of structures, functions, and dynamics of urban ecosystems and how ecosystem services can be optimized, re-designed, and managed to support climate-resilient and sustainable urban development.

Knowledge

Students will be familiar with:

• Theory and principles of urban ecosystem science
• Causes and effects of climate change in urban areas
• Urban growth and dynamics in Denmark and globally
• Quantitative and qualitative components of the urban water cycle
• Major factors impacting biodiversity and habitat quality in cities
• Relations between natural processes and urban form and function
• Case studies of sustainable urban water management and climate change adaptation
• Theories of sustainability transition from a multilevel perspective
• Challenges involved in the green transition

Skills

Students will be able to:

• Transfer ecosystem concepts and principles to problem-oriented studies
• Apply knowledge and methods for the analysis and design of sustainable urban ecosystems

Competencies

Students will be able to:

• Work in multidisciplinary groups and present results and knowledge to other students and external actors
• Undertake a problem-oriented study, suggest design solutions, and make evaluations
• Acquire in-depth knowledge on specific aspects of urban ecosystems structure and function in an independent manner
• Reflect upon and discuss the value systems that underlie the structure and functioning of various urban ecosystems

Literature

The course will utilize selected scientific papers, book chapters, and reports.

Recommended Academic Qualifications

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended, preferably within urban design/planning, agronomy, geography, engineering, biology, or similar fields.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course consists of lectures, in-class exercises, quizzes, paper sessions, study tours, and a group project, totaling approximately 206 hours of workload.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a written assignment (8 hours) based on a group project, with a 7-point grading scale. Compulsory tasks, including participation in paper sessions, in-class exercises, quizzes, and the group project, must be successfully completed.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: LNAK10028U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 1
• Schedule: C
• Course capacity: 45

Study Board

The course is overseen by the Study Board of Geosciences and Management.

Contracting Department

The contracting department is the Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management.

Contracting Faculty

The contracting faculty is the Faculty of Science.

Course Coordinators

The course coordinator is Marina Bergen Jensen.

Lecturers

The lecturers include Mark Taylor Randall, Emilia Danuta Lausen, Patience Mguni, and Jakob Magid.