Urban and Rural Open Spaces Network and Park Design Studio encompasses the subjects of Cropping Systems (Gabriele Cola) Landscape Design (Andrea Oldani), and Territorial and Landscape Design (Antonio Longo). The three subjects are integrated in the design practice: the Studio is based on a shared design experience to encourage an ambitious, creative and critical design approach. The specific theme of the laboratory is the development, at different scales, of systems of open spaces and parks for contemporary urban and metropolitan areas. With this aim, both aspects concerning urban spaces and their transition to rural and agricultural spaces will be considered.

- students' ability to discover new points of view and how to re-find landscapes full of unexpected meanings.

- students’ capacity to discuss their design objectives and choices and to critically address issues, in relationship to the context and the resources of the site

- students' ability to communicate their work in a clear and appropriate way. Drawing and linguistic accuracy in all design process will be especially evaluated.

- engagement in the workshop activities including lectures, seminars and group discussions. Learning skills in terms of autonomy and self-organization ability.

- appropriate knowledge of the assigned bibliography and individual ability of critical elaboration. 

The Studio is structured in tree parts and related deliveries and evaluations:

1. The construction of the project field: first survey, description of the project field, its characteristics, identification of a vision and a design concept through maps, sketches, textual descriptions, relevant data, references. The first part of the work (2 weeks) will be individual and its results will be evaluated individually

2. Masterplan: Design of a landscape masterplan divided into a general strategic vision and specific tactical actions and projects - involving a complex urban / rural transept - and a strategy that proposes a hypothesis of development through time. In this phase particular attention will be paid to the relationship between overall choices and actions and any specific transformations, coherence between the topics covered (for example adaptation to climate change, use by the population, innovation of the types of cultivation in urban context etc.). At this stage the work will be organized for groups of three students. The evaluation of the results will be collective although the specific contributions of each student will be considered.

3. Design proposal: Presentation and final development of the project and management proposal. The final part of the work is aimed at the development of the project proposal, at different scales. Through drawings, models, simulations: the project will have to face:
A. The general concept and the systemic idea;
B. The development and transformation of the project over time, the agronomic and managerial methods that allow its development and possible adaptation;
C. The construction elements and any details at the most appropriate scales;

In each phase the different aspects of the project will be discussed and verified with the three teachers as well as with possible guests and discussants. The specific choice of the project site will be defined at the start of the Studio.

No entry requirements

Each part of the studio will be subject to an evaluation and will make an average with the final revue.

The exam consist in the final work presentation. Students are expected to present their proposal with a number of A1 panels, an A4 booklet with a short text and a slideshow and a model.

Evaluation is individual.

Students will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

 - students' ability to discover new points of view and how to re-find landscapes full of unexpected meanings.

- students’ capacity to discuss their design objectives and choices and to critically address issues, in relationship to the context and the resources of the site

- students' ability to communicate their work in a clear and appropriate way. Drawing and linguistic accuracy in all design process will be especially evaluated.

- engagement in the workshop activities including lectures, seminars and group discussions. Learning skills in terms of autonomy and self-organization ability.

- appropriate knowledge of the assigned bibliography and individual ability of critical elaboration. 

 The student's progress will be part of the evaluation, as much as the obtained design results. A 100% presence is request.

The exam will be public.

- appropriate knowledge of the assigned bibliography and individual ability of critical elaboration. 

 The student's progress will be part of the evaluation, as much as the obtained design results. A 100% presence is request.

The exam will be public.