Pixel International Conferences

The methods and applied models for education practice and study in design-oriented courses faces new issues at the outset of 21st century. Here, education and practice of Landscape architecture crosses many disciplines and new challenges such as climate changes, tsunami of new Lifestyles and fabrics as visual information in particular. While the impacts of natural and built elements and factors with their environmental diversity beside the cultural dimensions are very important in planning and design process. In both of global and local scales, the lack of special setting and independent identity related to native paradigms and values, human activities as a treasure of cultural-ecological values is an important problem in education of landscape architecture. This paper, firstly addresses the potential contribution of both “Environmental tacit knowledge” of landscaping and cultural values in Iran. Besides, a short overview on coping with the components of landscape to help alleviating part of those issues. The second and major scope is introducing the “model of Fundamental Values and Factors of Landscape” (model of FVFL) for education and research of landscape architecture and practice. The key questions are:

• What are the challenges and appropriate approach for the education of landscape architecture?
• How can various aspects of knowledge and arts influence the way we educate design, construct and manage landscape and develop urban and rural landscapes?

In an effort to answer the questions, the paper concentrates on introducing research’ findings and case studies through author’s field studies and teaching landscape design courses in Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) since 2003. The recommendations are based on an approach to education and practice of Ecological Landscape Design at SBU as first MLA program in Iran. Finally, in order to cover these delicate discussions, the article presents main concepts and FVFL Model as a method of design education related to environment, cultural paradigms, behavior setting and of today characteristics of developing rural areas, urban settlements and cities.

Keywords: Design education, Model of Fundamental, Values and Factors of Landscape, Environmental Tacit Knowledge, Ecological Landscape Design;