Trans-European Education for Landscape Architects Erasmus Project

Project Title

Trans-European Education for Landscape Architects

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Recognition, transparency, certification

Project Summary

In the face of recent environmental, social and economic challenges, the profession of landscape architects (LA) is assigned new roles and missions of being prepared to respond to the rising expectations of environment and society. Aiming for trans-European recognition of the LA profession, it is essential to have harmonised but levered education systems across the continent. IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) and ECLAS (European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools) have developed explicit set of requirements for providing and improving LA education in Europe, still, many HEIs are out of the framework drafted by this guidance document. The aim of the project was to prepare a 1st cycle study programme (qualifying for joint/double degree) in LA, which would be focused on developing both professional and transversal competencies, flexible and adaptable to emerging market trends, and recognised on the EU level.

The objectives of the project were to identify the gaps in LA education and bridge them by using IFLA-ECLAS guidance methodology, practical experiences and tools to promote learning. In order to develop the study programme, partners identified specific competencies and selected corresponding educational tools to address them, aiming for more competent specialists with better employability opportunities. The project drafted a map of key and LA specific competences across the participating HEIs, regions and the whole EU. The project activities covered developing a Guidebook on how to apply IFLA-ECLAS requirements using a specifically developed self-assessment tool, discovering gaps in building competencies, and analysis of legal framework in partners’ countries to launch joint / double degree study programmes. Partners jointly developed study programme according to IFLA Europe methodology and Guidelines for LA Education. The 240 ECTS 1st cycle study programme was designed from a pool of Training Subject Modules (360 ECTS) and tested through a specifically launched intensive study programme.

The EU-Land21 consortium consists of 4 HEIs, representing arts and architecture (LT) and life sciences (EE, PL, HU), namely Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Estonian University of Life Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, and Szent Istvan University. The latter three HEIs already run LA study programmes which served as good practice, were assessed and updated according to the methodology established. Dutch School of Landscape Architecture (NL) is mainly concerned with landscape architecture education and represents national LA association, research institutions and four major HEIs in the Netherlands covering LA subject. IFLA Europe is as an umbrella professional LA association with its education committee monitoring the education process across Europe. IFLA Europe represents businesses directly or through national associations of LA. It runs an Education committee, which has adopted requirements and procedures in relation to recognition of Landscape Architecture Programmes, according to which, IFLA EU conducts Recognition of Landscape Architecture Programmes across the Europe. Participation of IFLA Europe ensures the recognition of developed LA curriculum on European scale, easier accreditation nationally and internationally. EU-Land21 responds to the need of high level recognised academic LA training in Europe and elevates the increased quality of LA education in partners’ countries by offering a sustainable tool for continuous upgrade and modernisation of LA study process. As a long-term result, an international landscape education will encourage trans-national mobility and employability. The project strengthened the European network of LA experts, cooperation of whom brings opportunities for sharing good practices and growth of experience. The EU-Land21 consortium created an integrated study alliance in LA, which contributed to empowering the Common Training Framework in landscape architecture, incl. requirements for studies, recognition and mobility. As the project results are integrated into the existing education guidelines on European level, they will influence the activities of IFLA Europe School Recognition Panel and Landscape Architecture education in whole Europe in the next years.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 242427 Eur

Project Coordinator

VILNIAUS GEDIMINO TECHNIKOS UNIVERSITETAS & Country: LT

Project Partners

• SZENT ISTVAN UNIVERSITY
• IFLA Europe
• Stichting Dutch Schools of Landscape Architecture
• EESTI MAAULIKOOL
• UNIWERSYTET ROLNICZY IM. HUGONA KOLLATAJA W KRAKOWIE