Leibniz University Hannover Studies Degree Programmes General Overview
Environmental Planning and Territorial Development - Track Territorial Development

Environmental Planning and Territorial Development - Track Territorial Development
(Master of Science)

A group hikes on a rocky hill in Ireland. © Institut für Umweltplanung/LUH
© Institut für Umweltplanung/LUH

Profile

Course type
Postgraduate studies (Master)
Standard Course Duration
4 semesters
Course Start
Winter semester, Summer semester
Language of Instruction
English
Language Requirements

English B2
Find out more

Special Requirements

Pre-internship (recommended)

Admission
Restricted admission
International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

Environmental planning and territorial development are among today’s key tools for achieving sustainable development. The consequences of global and regional change for humanity, flora and fauna, and ecological and economic systems are becoming increasingly apparent. Climate change, the development of renewable energies, changes in urban/rural relations, and the conservation of biodiversity are major challenges for society.

  • The Track Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning addresses the issue of extensive nature conservation and how it can be implemented in landscape planning, whereas
  • the Track “Territorial Development” focuses on planning and control instruments for integrating the environmental perspective into comprehensive spatial development.

Students on the Master’s programme in Environmental Planning and Territorial Development train to become experts who understand landscapes and regions with their natural features, as well as current uses and potential, in their contemporary complexity and spatial development. Students learn to develop landscape designs in which they strike a balance between the different usage interests, taking into account provisions under nature conservation and planning law.

Having opted for one Track, students may still take optional modules from the other area of specialisation; in the Track “Territorial Development”, the primary language of instruction is English.

Course Content

  • Urban planning and territorial development
  • Landscape and environmental planning
  • European spatial planning
  • Planning theory
  • Environmental assessment
  • Introduction to EU law
  • Project-centred learning
  • Key transferable skills
Course Structure

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 - Territorial Development
(15 LP)
Urban and Regional Development
(5 LP)
Field Trip and Charrette
(5 LP)
Elective Module (5 LP)
2. Semester Master Projekt 2 -   Territorial Development
(15 LP)
Environmental Planning
(5 LP)
European Union Regional Policies
(5 LP)
Elective Module (5 LP)
3. Semester Master Projekt 3
(15 LP)
Elective Module (15 LP)

 
4. Semester Master's thesis and Colloquium (30 LP)

 

Recommended Abilities
  • 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
Career Opportunities

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 and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

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: 

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 (VPD from uni-assist is required)

  • 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
     

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Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building