Course Catalogue

Urban Landscapes GEOG4135

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

The course considers urban landscapes as site-specific symbioses of human activities and natural environments, through critical analysis of examples from different cultural contexts and historical periods. The course examines the interdependent relationships among social, political, economic, philosophical, and aesthetic forces, and the natural environment, that produce urban landscapes.  Emphasis will be given to 'green' urban landscapes, how cultural forces are spatialised on such sites, and how these landscapes are experienced at human scale.  Reflecting on past and present practices, the course will consider the prospect of urban landscapes to facilitate a more equitable and sustainable future.

Timetable

Three 2-hour lectures and two 1-hour lectures;

Two 1-hour review seminars

Requirements of Entry

Fulfilment of entry requirements to Level 3 Geography

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessments

■ One critical analysis of urban landscape based on fieldwork and presented as a short report (40%);

■ One 2000-word illustrated essay (60%)

Course Aims

■ To evaluate the impacts of different cultural forces in creating urban landscapes and how, in turn, urban landscapes may influence and shape everyday human activities and culture;

■ To compare critically examples of 'green' urban landscapes across different cultural contexts, periods, and scales, to consider their functional significance and cultural meanings, including their future prospects;

■ To analyse the impact of cultural forces in everyday experiences in urban landscapes, and the impacts on one's life, well-being, and identity.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions