Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture Profession
The concept of landscape architecture was first introduced in 1863 by C. Vaux, and F. L. Olmsted, who have designed the New York Central Park in the United States. In the direction of social and environmental changes, positive and rapid conceptual developments have occurred within the Landscape Architecture content and scope. The 21st century we are in is a period, it is understood that social, natural supply and demand or both cannot be solved with own professional visions of professions, so that boundaries between professions are increasingly eroding, praise of diversity is increasing, and unity in diversity is spelled.
In this sense, this discipline is in the search of restructuring in a changing vision of science and art.
Landscape architecture which analyzes the concepts of ecology, planning and design in a systematic way, is a professional discipline dealing with spatial planning, design, and management issues. The profession combines art, science, engineering and technology, and reconciles human and physical environment, natural and cultural resources on the basis of conservation and management.
According to the definition of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), landscape architecture is the art of planning, designing and managing landscapes, the organization of natural and cultural elements on the basis of conversation and management within the context of the application of cultural and scientific knowledge (to improve the functional and quality of the physical environment to be created) to the earth. Landscape Architecture is the art of creating a useful, functional, and beautiful environment that reveal the principles of land use based on the biological basis. In this perspective, landscape architecture should not only evaluate the potential of the landscape, but also its psychological and physical conditions. Among other disciplines related to other outdoor design or planning, it has a function that provides binding and coordination for the continuity of the entire landscape. And also, among other disciplines related to outdoor landscape design or planning, it has a function that provides integration and coordination for the continuity of the entire landscape.
Great tasks and responsibilities fall into the discipline of Landscape Architecture, both in the preservation and maintenance of natural landscape and in the planning of urban and rural landscaping functionally, aesthetically, and correctly. To use nature in a respectful way, to preserve and repair the degraded areas for the next generations are the spirits of this profession.
Landscape architecture is in interaction with other planning and design professions due to its work space covering a wide range of subjects and scales. The interaction should be transformed into a common production process. In this co-production process, landscape architecture is the bridge that connects social sciences and natural sciences, art and science, society and nature. From this perspective, the unit of space which it is responsible to design, starting from the smallest scale, such as a house terrace, balcony, courtyard or garden extends to large-scale areas such as planning of a region and land. In order to be able to fulfill this task, it is necessary to understand the working system, terminology and production processes of other related professions. For this reason, it needs to be in close contact with other profession disciplines. These disciplines are architecture, urban and regional planning, ecology, botany, geology, soil science, geography, horticulture, forestry, agriculture, fine arts, sociology, and so on.
Department of Landscape Architecture started its undergraduate education in the Faculty of Forestry in 2007-2008 academic year. The Department and its students were transferred to the Faculty of Architecture according to the opinion of PEMKON (Turkey Council of Heads of Department of Landscape Architecture) and 7/d-2 and 7/h-2 articles of the Law 2880 at the meeting of Higher Education Council.
Landscape planning studies based on analysis and evaluation of data related to natural, cultural and socio-economic environment and structural and planting designs aiming to create sustainable and high quality living environment constitute the main subjects of its education. The aim of the education program is to train qualified, talented, entrepreneurial and dynamic professionals in these basic issues, taking into account the country's realities and needs. As a result of the education, it is aimed that a landscape architect has the ability to be sensitive to the development and preservation of landscape quality, understand the artistic, humanistic and ecological approaches of design, and analyze the problem in planning and design.
Qualifications Required
Those who want to work in the field of landscape architecture should love and observe nature, have information and interest in biology, have aesthetic view, can easily find solutions for land use, have rich imagination and ability, and can work in coordination with other related professions.
Aims and the Vision of the Department of Landscape Architecture
Süleyman Demirel University, the Faculty of Architecture the Department of Landscape Architecture, found in 2007, is one of the leading departments of the Southwestern part of Turkey. Today, with more than 200 graduates, 203 registered undergraduates and 87 registered postgraduate students, our department continues to education to contribute to the lives of people in the region with social and public projects.
The undergraduate and post graduate curriculum of Department of Landscape Architecture;
Vision is to contribute to the development of the country by being a pioneer in landscape architecture education and research, producing solutions to national and international problems and bringing open for improvement landscape architects having a high level of theoretical and technical knowledge and talent, doing group work.
The mission is to bring landscape architects and academicians who are innovative, has practical, solution-oriented, questioning, researching intentions, have analytical thinking, and could target to conservation, development, and transfer the lives of future generations.
The main objective of and Department of Landscape Architecture is to obtain an inspiring, effective and intellectual academic identity through national and international levels of production, quality and productivity and contribution in the institutionalization line of information, technology and services. For this reason, undergraduate and postgraduate programs of the Department of Landscape Architecture is designed to educate planning students who will be able to perceive holistic relationships, develop alternate thinking in response to any given problem, and create designs and plans that can solve the problems of mankind.
In this direction, the targets of the department can be listed as follows;
Being recognized, leader, efficient and competent in undergraduate and postgraduate education and training and scientific research and practices,
To be involved in the domestic and international accreditation process,
Developing and implementing a student-centered education and training program with the use of innovative technology to increase productivity and quality in education and ensure continuity,
To produce, use, and publish new knowledge and technologies through academic studies,
Training landscape architects who are sensitive to environmental and social problems within the framework of public welfare, are looking for alternative solutions with a participative approach that respects the understanding of science and art, tend to work interdisciplinary, questioning, analyzing and producing solutions, have advanced communication skills, develop himself/herself, have ability to design and plan, have responsibility and professional ethics, by considering the culture and facts of the country.
DEPARTMENT MANGEMENT BOARD AND MAJOR SCIENTIFIC FIELDS
DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT BOARD
Chair
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Topay
Vice Chair
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Candan KUŞ ŞAHİN
Assist. Prof.Dr. Volkan KÜÇÜK
Academic Staff
The Landscape Architecture Department is composed of 14 teaching staffs. In addition, the Department has instructors who provide external support to the curriculum.
Major Scientific Fields
Landscape Architecture Department consists of Landscape Planning and Design, Plant Material and Breeding, Landscape Techniques, and Landscape Architecture Major Scientific Fields.
Landscape Planning and Design Major Scientific Field
Instructors
Head of Scientific Discipline Area
Prof. Dr. Atila GÜL
Members
Prof. Dr. Mehmet TOPAY
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat AKTEN
Instructor Seriyye REHİMBEYLİ
Res. Assist. Büşra EZENCİ
Res. Assist. Gizem DİNÇ
Plant Material and Breeding
Major Scientific Field
Instructors
Head of Scientific Discipline Area
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Candan KUŞ ŞAHİN
Members
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şirin DÖNMEZ
Res. Assist. Anıl EVCİ
Res. Assist. Mert ÇAKIR
Landscape Techniques
Major Scientific Field
Instructors
Head of Scientific Discipline Area
Assist. Prof.Dr. Volkan KÜÇÜK
Members
Assist. Prof.Dr. Ömer Kamil ÖRÜCÜ
Assist. Prof.Dr. Şehriban ERASLAN
Assist. Prof.Dr. E. Seda ARSLAN
Res. Assist. Mert Akoğlu
Landscape Architecture
Major Scientific Field
Instructors
Head of Scientific Discipline Area
Assist. Prof.Dr. E. Ulvi EROL
Members
Spatial Capacity
There are 4 classrooms belonging to the Department of Landscape Architecture. There are 1 conference hall, 1 computer laboratory, and 1 postgraduate student study room shared with other departments in the Faculty.
Undergraduate Program
Department Undergraduate Program Application Requirements
Student acceptance to the department is carried out by examinations conducted by ÖSYM. Student intake is based on the quota announced by OSYM. The language of education is Turkish.
Undergraduate Program
The duration of the undergraduate program is 4 years (theoretical + practice, 8 semesters) + 1 year (English Preparatory Course). There are compulsory courses and supplementary elective courses in undergraduate education. Every student who fulfills a total of 240 ECTS (156 credits), compulsory internship and graduation requirements stated in Associate’s Degree and Undergraduate Education - Examination and Examination Regulations of our university, can graduate as landscape architecture from the department.
Compulsory courses of undergraduate education are the courses in which vocational basic discipline knowledge is gained at. Every year, quotas and application dates of elective courses are announced by ÖSYM (Student Measurement, Selection and Placement Center). In addition, students can develop their professional experiences and activities in different disciplines through the Minor and Double Major programs within the faculty and university. According to the “Internship Principles of the Faculty of Architecture”, other than the education and training periods, there are two internships during the undergraduate education that is 60 days in total in the public and the private sector.
Postgraduate Education
Master’s Degree Landscape Architecture Education with Thesis is given in Süleyman Demirel University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences from 2007 onwards. Süleyman Demirel University, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture is receiving the application of Master's Degree.
Research and Development Activities
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can take part in the projects carried out by our academic staff. In addition, the student-focused graduate and postgraduate projects in various subjects are being carried out by various institutions and organizations, especially TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey).
Exchange Programs
Undergraduate and postgraduate students have the opportunity to study and internship abroad with exchange programs (Erasmus-Socrates/Mevlana/Farabi).
Bilateral Erasmus-Socrates Agreements with Universities
Klaipeda State College; Lithuanian
Klaipeda University; Lithuanian
Latvia University of Agriculture; Latvia
Warsaw University of Life Sciences; Poland
University of Life Sciences in Lublin; Poland
Bilateral Farabi Agreements with Universities
Ataturk University
Akdeniz University
Ankara University
Bartın University
Çankırı Karatekin University
Çukurova University
Düzce University
İnönü University
Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University
Karadeniz Technical University
Kastamonu University
Mustafa Kemal University
Namık Kemal University
Ondokuz Mayıs University
Ordu University
Selcuk University
Mevlana Exchange Program provides lecturers and student mobility actively. However, university agreements are being made by the University Presidency (rectorate) and we have not yet reached an agreement with another university related to our department or faculty.
Student Activities
The students in the Department of Landscape Architecture can participate in various types of student activities organized in the university and department.
Department Activities
Technical Trips, Practices, and Social Activities
Technical trips to the planning area to be worked in that year are organized in the project courses of the department. Within the scope of the technical trip, the field features to be planned and the existing land uses are analyzed and the essential information is gathered.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students attend to all scientific activities organized by the faculty and the university. At the same time, student-oriented social activities (interview, picnic, breakfast etc.) are organized.
Life at the University
The students can participate in the activities of introduction, student groups, cultural events (cinema, theater, concerts, workshops, etc.), exhibitions, sports activities. Süleyman Demirel University Student Communities operate in many different areas.
For more details about communities and activities.
https://sksdb.sdu.edu.tr/tr/ogrenci-topluluklari/ogrenci-topluluklari-7924s.html
Meetings are organized within the orientation week on the adaptation of the new students to the institution and programs.
Student Representatives
There is one student representative and one supervisor in charge in each class. One student representative of the department is selected from the class student representatives in the department. One student representative of the faculty is selected from the department student representatives. Faculty student representatives attend to the University Student Council. The faculty student representative represents our faculty in the University Student Council.