OVERVIEW

The course is an introduction to botanical sciences and plant ecology applied to the management, planning and design of the sustainable and resilient landscape

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will: develop an overall understanding of plants as a living element of design. They will be able to evaluate aspects related to the key role of plants in landscape design and planning, with particular reference to resilience to climate change and environmental sustainability; they will be able to recognize the main characteristic species of the phytocoenoses in the Italian landscape; they will have the basic knowledge to assess which plants to use in interventions that respect the landscape, referring to the ecological characteristics and the distribution of species in different terrestrial environments.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the tools to understand the main characteristics and functional aspects (including performance) of the plant component, particularly in Nature-based Solutions (green and blue infrastructure) and the related ecosystem services and disservices provided by greenery at the urban scale (air pollution mitigation, risks of using allergenic plants, etc.). These fundamentals enable an understanding and evaluation of the key role of plants in landscape design and planning, with particular reference to resilience to climate change and environmental sustainability.

The course offers key knowledge useful for assessing the quality of nursery material to be used in a green project and how these choices affect the quality of the project itself.

The aim is to provide the knowledge useful for the sustainable design and planning of green areas to be integrated into various landscape contexts, at different intervention scales.

At the end of the course, students will: develop an overall understanding of plants as a living element of design. They will be able to evaluate aspects related to the key role of plants in landscape design and planning, with particular reference to resilience to climate change and environmental sustainability; they will have the basic knowledge to assess which plants to use in interventions that respect the landscape, referring to the ecological characteristics and the distribution of species in different terrestrial environments.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures for 3 ECTS credits. The lectures are conducted with the aid of PowerPoint presentations that illustrate the concepts and content expressed orally by the instructor. These materials are made available on Aulaweb.

There are planned activities both in the classroom and in the field (visits to parks and gardens, the botanical garden, and relevant Nature-based Solutions). In the classroom, theoretical and practical aspects related to the knowledge of plant morphology, anatomy, and physiology and the recognition of the main species are addressed in relation to their use for design purposes. Field activities complement those carried out in the classroom with direct observation of the species.

Students with a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University who wish to request compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, or other accommodations for classes, assignments, and exams should speak with both the instructor and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department's disability coordinator. Students from other departments are advised to contact their respective coordinators.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Ecological characteristics and distribution of species in different terrestrial environments
• Main characteristic species of the phytocoenoses in the Italian landscape
• Characteristics and performance of the plant component in Nature-based Solutions (green and blue infrastructure)
• Nursery material, performance, quality of selection
• Ecosystem services and disservices provided by greenery (air pollution mitigation, risks of using allergenic plants, etc.)
• The role of plants in landscape design and planning with particular reference to resilience to climate change and environmental sustainability
• Development and planning of a sustainable landscape, from garden to macroscale

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference text

DUFFY TURNER K. Botany for Designers: A Practical Guide for Landscape Architects and Other Professionals, W. W. Norton & Company

General Botany

VENTURELLI F., VIRLI L., 1995 – Invito alla Botanica, Zanichelli, Bologna

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester. Consult the detailed schedule at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

BOTANY APPLIED TO LANDSCAPE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The acquisition of the knowledge covered in the course and the ability to present it correctly are assessed through an oral exam, which includes various questions covering the entire program and the exercises performed. In addition to knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to correlate them, including their design implications, is evaluated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In addition to the oral exam, on which the final grade is based, a group exercise will be conducted during the year to assess the learning and integration of fundamental knowledge for the use of the plant component in a sustainable green project, even in highly urbanized contexts.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance, though not mandatory, is recommended.