Relevant European teaching contents in the studies of landscape architecture – EU-teach
European aims, strategies and legal requirements have increasingly influence on the work of landscape architects. To have knowledge of them is the basis for a successful participation in the European labour market.
In the project "Implementation of relevant European teaching contents in the studies of landscape architecture (EU-Teach)" four universities (University of Sheffield, University of Kassel, Corvinus University of Budapest and University of Applied Science Weihenstephan-Triesdorf as lead partner), the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS) and the European Federation of Landscape Architecture (EFLA) are working together to anchor these knowledge more firmly in the higher education of landscape architects.
The project consists of three steps. As a first result the project partners and their members developed a "list of relevant European teaching contents". The list comprises European aims, strategies and rules which a landscape architect needs to know and in principle which should be taught at each university of landscape architecture. Beside of European basics (administration, legislation, history of Europe) eight fields of work were differentiated and described. The (comprehensive) list must be considered as a recommendation for the higher education of landscape architects.
In a second step the list was tested in practice: the four involved universities evaluated their current study courses based on the list. Furthermore the priority of the topics listed and the preferred level (bachelor- or master-level) were discussed. EFLA evaluated the importance of topics listed also from the practical and professional point of view.
Due to limited personnel and financial resources not every university will be able to offer all relevant European teaching contents sufficiently qualified.
However to create access for students gaining the necessary knowledge, the development of teaching cluster would be desirable. Each university could contribute specific study courses to these teaching clusters as an offer.
Currently EU-teach consider the legal, organizational and professional requirements for the realization of teaching clusters. The involved universities are developing first ideas for specific teaching offers.
The closing conference will take place 12 October 2011 in Freising. The participants will also discuss a follow-up project which should deepen the results. For detailed information see ( and our project flyer.