Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide an introduction to: elements and areas of practice in landscape architecture, planning and management, including ethics and values.

To provide an introduction to key areas of the Landscape Institute's Competency Framework: professional judgements, ethics and values; sustainability, climate and resilience; planning, legal, policy and regulatory compliance; contract administration and contract management; landscape assessment; environmental legislation; professional relationships; and broader issues associated with professional practice.

To supportive students to understand and develop their positionality and ethical framework. And introduce students to research by design and the idea of practice as a form of inquiry, in advance of the design thesis module in semester 2 and 3 (APL8025/APL8019)

Outline Of Syllabus

The module provides an introduction to professional practice as a landscape architect/professional in Britain. The module follows the Landscape Institute's entry standards competency framework syllabus.

1. The landscape profession: ethics and values. The role of the Landscape Institute. Charter and Code of Practice. Ethics, values and professional relationships. Forms of practice. CPD.

2. Basic concepts of land law, contract law and the law of tort. Contracts of employment.

3. Planning law and the laws related to environmental protection.

4. Tendering and contract administration.


The module includes four seminars led by local landscape professionals.

The module also introduces research by design and its application to landscape architecture.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. An understanding of the nature of landscape professional practice.
2. An evolving ethical framework and positionality for decision-making in practice, considering climate and biodiversity resilience and adaptation, and inclusivity and social justice.
3. An essential understanding of the English legal system, international agreements and legislative frameworks which relate to the land.
4. An essential understanding of contract law, documentation, administration and management.
5. An essential understanding of planning and environmental law, particularly as it pertains to practice as a landscape architect.
6. An understanding of research by design and its applications to landscape architecture practice.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. The ability to critically read and research to inform all stages of the live of a Landscape Architecture project.
2. The development of learning skills necessary to embark on the Landscape Institute's Pathway to Chartership upon graduation.
3. To synthesise and refine weekly group activities into a coherent Landscape Architectural Project Proposal that responds to the example brief/tender provided. Demonstrate understanding of practice formation, ethical positioning, design ethos, business and operational planning, policy/regulatory context, and professional communication - aligned to the Landscape Institute (LI) Competency Framework.
4. To critically reflect on your own positionality as a future landscape practitioner and how this informs your ethical and design approach. Explore the influence of cultural, social, and environmental contexts on your values, motivations, and anticipated challenges.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge of the key areas of the Landscape Institute's competency framework is delivered through a combination of seminars and workshops, supplemented by guided reading. Students also learn experientially by discussing/role playing practical questions related to each topic in workshops as well as through group practice ideation/formation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assignment 1: Reflective Essay on Ethics & Positionality

Encourages students to critically reflect on their own positionality as a future landscape practitioner and how this informs their ethical and design approach. They are asked to explore the influence of cultural, social, and environmental contexts on their values, motivations, and anticipated challenges in professional practice.

Assignment 2: Landscape Architectural Project Proposal

Requires students to synthesise and refine weekly group activities into a coherent Landscape Architectural Project Proposal that responds to the example brief/tender provided. To demonstrate understanding of practice formation, ethical positioning, design ethos, business and operational planning, policy/regulatory context, and professional communication - aligned to the Landscape Institute (LI) Competency Framework.

General Notes

N/A