Environmental Planning
(Master of Science)
Profile
Pre-internship (recommended)
Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.
Short Description
Humans and nature need intact ecosystems. It is essential to organise the use of the environment so that landscape functions and natural resources are utilised sustainably, without jeopardising them. Students on the Master’s degree programme in Environmental and Regional Planning train to become experts who understand the historical development of landscapes and their current complexity. They also learn to create landscape designs, taking equal account of the different usage interests.
Landscape and spatial planning are among today’s key tools for ensuring sustainable development. The consequences of global change for humanity, flora and fauna, and ecological and economic systems are becoming increasingly apparent. These consequences call for innovative projects at the local and regional level, involving the exploration of the interdependencies of systems in our environment. The European directives to protect flora and fauna must be fleshed out in the future, as well as the tools of environmental impact assessment and national landscape planning, which students must learn to apply. Environmental and regional planning has become an important export topic and model in Europe and overseas.
Course Content
- Animal and plant ecological methods in planning
- Biodiversity and nature conservation
- Computer-assisted planning
- Environmental law and management
- Key transferable skills
- Landscape and environmental planning
- Landscape perception, recreation and tourism
- Planning communication
- Project-centred learning
- Urban and regional planning, regional governance
The Master’s degree programme in Environmental and Regional Planning builds on the specialist foundations and methods addressed in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. The degree programme encompasses landscape planning in the broader sense – the different forms of environmental assessment, issues related to species and habitat protection, resource conservation, landscape as space for experience, spatial planning and regional development.
In addition to compulsory modules in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Environmental Planning, and Urban and Regional Planning, students can gear the programme towards their interests by undertaking field trips and selecting optional modules. Such modules include Environmental Assessment, Bioengineering, Landscape History, Design of Urban Landscapes, and Renewable Energies. Small groups are formed in which students complete three projects. Workflow, report and presentation are assessed.
The Master’s thesis is submitted in the form of a report and presented within a colloquium.
Students learn self-management, presentation techniques and the ability to work in a team with the help of interdisciplinary cooperation and partners from the field.
The programme offers a wide range of e-learning options, modelling and geographic information systems (GIS).
| 1. Semester | Master Projekt 1 (15 LP) | Stadt-, Regionalplanung, Regional Governance (5 LP) | Biodiversität und Naturschutz (5 LP) | Wahlpflicht (5 LP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Semester | Master Projekt 2 (15 LP) | Implementation in environmental planning (5 LP) | Exkursion und Stegreifarbeiten (5 LP) | Wahlpflicht (5 LP) |
| 3. Semester | Master Projekt 3 (15 LP) | Wahlpflicht (15 LP) | ||
| 4. Semester | Masterarbeit inklusive Kolloquium (30 LP) | |||
- A basic knowledge of landscape planning and nature conservation (planning tools, methods of landscape analysis and assessment)
- Urban and regional planning
- Plant ecology and soil science
- Enjoyment of fieldwork (mapping, conducting interviews)
- Scientific work, creativity, a structured and activity-oriented mind-set
- Ability to work in a team
- An interest in contemporary challenges (loss of biodiversity, demographic change)
- Experience in planning offices, nature protection bodies, etc.
- Basic knowledge of the English language
Environmental planners are engaged in public authorities, national and international organisations, planning offices and other companies from the private sector. Their main tasks include landscape and spatial planning, environmental assessment, habitat and species protection, urban and regional development. Additional fields of work include tourism planning, environmental education and consulting.
Graduates may embark on doctoral studies.
Admission Requirements
Please note that an application folder must be submitted for the application in addition to the regular application documents. The application folder includes a motivation letter as well as work samples (DIN A4 format).
The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations:
Admission and special language Regulations Degree Programme Environmental Planning
Application Deadlines
First-year students from Germany and the EU
- June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
- December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester
First-year students from non-EU countries
- April 15th – May 31st of the year for the winter semester
- October 15th – November 30th of the previous year for the summer semester
Students resuming their studies and transfer students from Germany and the EU (application in a higher semester)
- June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
- December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester
Students resuming their studies and transfer students from non-EU countries (application in a higher semester)
- April 15th – May 31st of the year for the winter semester
- October 15th – November 30th of the previous year for the summer semester
Do you have questions about studying? We are happy to help!
30167 Hannover
30167 Hannover
