Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Landscape design involves working with dynamic, living ecosystems that must be understood and accurately represented before any design interventions are made. In the context of the 21st century, landscape architects, architects, and urban designers must recognise their roles as agents of change within increasingly complex and evolving environments.
This unit integrates theory and application of landscape and urban ecology within the disciplines of landscape design and environmental planning. Drawing on a diverse range of national and international examples, students will explore how ecological design thinking is realised in professional practice. They will critically examine leading landscape design projects and develop their own ecologically based design scenarios.
Building on this foundation, the unit delves into the theoretical underpinnings of landscape and urban ecology and their relevance to landscape architecture practice. Students will engage with key terminology and central concepts in landscape ecology, including landscape patterns and processes, structure, disturbance, succession, fragmentation, and biodiversity. Urban ecology topics include ecosystem services, urban heat island effect, light, pollution, hydrology, flora and wildlife, globalisation, and homogenisation. The unit also introduces core principles of ecological design and sustainable development, such as integrated water management, low-impact design, alternative lawns, and urban biodiversity and design.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) acquire and apply the ecological design principles and skills necessary to underpin landscape architecture practice
; (2) research and apply the information available from landscape and urban ecology in the delivery of ecosystem services and designing sustainable landscapes; and (3) explain the key aspects of the urban ecology theory.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) case study; (2) independent project; and (3) group project. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Maria Ignatieva
- Unit rules
- Incidental fees
- Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):Field trips within the metropolitan area, travel and food only (estimated cost - $10-$50). - Contact hours
- seminar (lectures: 1 hour per week and seminars: 3 hours per week)
- Note
- Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.