EMiLA eLearning

During the first exchange semester, EMiLA students will participate in the eLearning module. On this page you find more information on the content and examples of other EMiLA students. Information on the question how the EMiLA eLearning is integrated into the EMiLA-curriculum can be found here.

Introduction

The European landscape is defined by its regional diversity. Urban or rural, this cultural heritage is an important part of the quality of life in Europe and a key element of our identity. In this e-learning series we want to educate landscape architects on current topics that influence the European landscape and the European identity. With this e-learning module we want to inspire Landscape architects to create a new blend of national traditions in their projects that exemplify the common values in a ‘European style’ of landscape architecture.

EMiLA offers the opportunity to evaluate and learn from current European policies. This course is about the role of landscape architecture within the EU policies on territorial transformations. 3 core exercises and 4 lectures are offered linked to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) and the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) (including NATURA 2000 aspects)

The lectures also refer to the sustainable city development as the Charter of European Cities and Towns Towards Sustainability, Alborg 1994 and the Leipzig Charter On Sustainable European Cities/2007

The diversity of European cultural landscapes

This is Europe’s ‘unique selling point’. On a global level, it is what makes Europe stand out with respect to other parts of the world. How can we safeguard this typical European identity? Explaining the importance of regional identity as a tool for landscape design;

The European Policy

The connection between the ‘ upstream’ of politics and the ‘downstream’ of design. The European Union does not have a specific policy, nor a specific responsibility for landscape issues. However, EU’s policy measures in different fields do have an impact on the functioning and appearance of the landscape in Europe. Decisions taken in the field of agriculture, transport, water, climate, etc. also determine the status of the landscape in Europe. What is lacking is an integral vision on landscape at the EU level.

Agricultural challenges in the European landscape

In Europe, the identity of our landscapes is to a great extent defined by the way in which it was made use of: they are productive landscapes. The post-war period is characterized in this respect by the rationalization and modernization of the countryside, creating mono-functional landscapes.

Today, we are facing a period of change in Europe to more diverse landscapes again due to intensifying food production, energy production, water storage etc. With new solutions for these ‘productions’ we have to re-shape our cultural landscapes.

Urban-rural relationships in Europe

Since the Industrial Revolution, these two entities have a vexed relationship. Nowadays we may say: Europe is becoming one large city. There is a vast urbanization going on that leads to changes in the rural landscape. We will have to deal with areas of intense dynamics and area’s of splendid isolation.