Minor in Urbanism and Design

There is growing recognition of the role and importance of landscape architecture as a key component of urban design in New Zealand.

• The aim of the Urbanism and Design minor is to enhance the skills and knowledge of BLA students in the professional competencies of landscape architecture practice with specific reference to urban design and regional planning.
• This particular minor provides students with real opportunities to develop their understanding of the characteristics of urban property, theory and method in urban planning, and the geo-physical and social systems which make up the urban environment, as a complement to the studio-based landscape architecture programme that they already enjoy. 

Minor in Design Critique

The Design Critique minor complements the graduate profile of the BLA and allied qualifications through providing additional skills, attributes and knowledge, including:

• Critical thinking in the context of design.
• The creative dimension of design critique, appreciating that critique is not a ‘negative’ process but a very constructive dimension of professional and disciplinary practice. 
• A tool kit of critical approaches including normative, interpretative and creative modes of criticism.
• An awareness of the design languages of national and international landscape architectural practice.
• The ability to undertake practice related research, and to locate, evaluate and use information from a range of sources
• A commitment to professional excellence through the development of a thorough understanding of the values and design ideals which underpin the discourse, using a set of skills to provide a critical perspective on these.
• An ability to communicate effectively, through the preparation of design critiques, the criticism of the existing body of critique, and through investigative projects which extend thinking on design theory as a form of experimentation.

Minor in Spatial Planning

The Spatial Planning minor enables Landscape Architecture students to develop knowledge and skills in spatial planning, integrated within their professional education as landscape architects and planners, including:

• Familiarity with the statutory and institutional context and requirements of resource management and community planning in New Zealand.
• The formulation of local structure plans within the context of development undertaken under the Resource Management Act, in the implementation of Long Term Council Community Plans under the Local Government Act, and in development plans prepared for the conservation estate under the Conservation and Reserves Act.
• The enhancement of environmental performance and the quality of new development, thus contributing directly to the achievement of the Government’s goals for sustainable development. The preparation of coherent spatial strategies for development will speed approval and consultation processes and hence enhance economic efficiency and performance within sectors that depend upon infrastructure development, including tourism, residential construction, industry and primary production.
• Enhancing environmental quality in regard to the Sustainable Plan of Action for Water, and the Biodiversity Strategy. 

Minor in Maori Studies

The Maori Studies minor will equip graduates to work as designers and landscape planners in the growing reality of bi-cultural Aotearoa-New Zealand, including:

• Providing students with an understanding of the issues, considerations and techniques required to support landscape development appropriate to Maori cultural needs.
• Responding to the demand from iwi, hapu and other Maori organisations, as well as from Landscape Architectural professionals, employers and the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects for graduates able to both work in sites of Maori cultural significance and culturally shared landscapes.
• Responding to statutory and regulatory requirements that Maori cultural needs are addressed in the development of Aotearoa-New Zealand

Note: Please refer to the BLA planning page for course planning guides.