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LARC40690

Academic Year 2025/2026

Water, Soil & Vegetation (LARC40690)

Subject:
Landscape Architecture
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Mr Philip Doran
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will explore the impact of the ongoing global change (both urbanism and climate) on water, soil and vegetation.

What is the significance/role of these "soft landscape" elements today regarding the climate crisis and energy demands. What opportunities are there to better utilise them in the future? Ecosystem Services, the UN's SDGs, the new EU Nature Restoration Law and all its implications for Ireland, will be explored.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will have a better understanding of the future implications for water, soil and vegetation in our built environments. Students will known what the basic make-up and functions are and they will appreciate their significant role in enabling us to achieve carbon neutrality.

Indicative Module Content:

The key topics will be water, soil and vegetation as they relate to global change landscape design.
What is water's impact on an urban landscape?
As designers, how can we better respond to rising sea levels and subsequent floods?
What role can soil and vegetation play in the fight against climate change, namely in relation to carbon sequestration?

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

115

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, critical writing, walking through spaces, reflective learning and student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Each week students will upload a screenshot of a news items related to the course to open dialogue in the class. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will be asked to complete short essays, complete with appropriate references, etc. The topics will explore water, soil and vegetation in relation to climate change and urban resilience. Week 5 Graded No
30
 No
Individual Project: Students will be assessed on a project looking at an area of landscape affected by urban change relating to water, soil and vegetation. Week 15 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

This module offers "Feed-forward" approach, in which students have an opportunity to receive comments/input on draft submissions through Brightspace delivered one week before the formal deadline.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 09:00 - 10:50
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