I. Program Overview

The Landscape Architecture program originated from the Landscape Architecture and Horticulture discipline established in 1980. It evolved through key milestones: initially approved asUrban Planning (Landscape Architecture Specialization) in 2001, the program gained independent accreditation as Landscape Architecture in 2008. Subsequent recognitions include designation as a Provincial Key Undergraduate Program during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011), accreditation as aKey Specialty by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (2016), and elevation toProvincial Key Discipline (2017) and Provincial High-Level University Advantageous Discipline (2018). In 2021, it achieved National First-Class Undergraduate Program status, offering a four-year curriculum culminating in aBachelor of Engineering degree. This developmental trajectory reflects its progressive integration of technical rigor and ecological stewardship within China’s academic framework.

As a Heilongjiang Provincial Key Specialty and National Forestry Administration Priority Program, the discipline ranks among China’s top-tier landscape architecture programs and holds a leading position in Northeast China. With over 40 years of development, it has established a doctoral degree-granting authority in Landscape Architecture.

II. Educational Objectives

The Landscape Architecture program addresses global climate change, environmental crises, and national strategies such as ecological civilization construction, Beautiful China, rural revitalization, and new urbanization. It cultivates professionals with ethical integrity, ecological awareness, and interdisciplinary expertise. Graduates master advanced skills in ecological planning, landscape design, and habitat restoration, demonstrating innovative thinking, collaborative spirit, and international perspectives. The program emphasizes societal responsibility through sustainable spatial interventions, training individuals committed to harmonizing human habitats with natural systems.

III. Core Curriculum

• Core Foundational Courses include Landscape Design Fundamentals II, Landscape Planning & Design I-II, Landscape Engineering I, Landscape Architectural Design I, Urban and Green Space System Planning, Dendrology, Floriculture, Landscape Ecology, Fundamentals of Ecology, National Parks and Protected Area Planning & Management, GIS Applications, and Environmental Behavior and Psychology.

• Core Professional Courses encompass Program Introduction, History of Chinese and Global Landscape Architecture, Principles of Landscape Planning & Design, Landscape Planning & Design III-IV, Landscape Architectural Design III, Landscape Heritage Conservation & Management, Plant Scenic Planning & Design, Landscape Engineering II, Ecological Restoration Technologies, and Tourism and Scenic Area Planning.

• Practical Training involves Design Studios, Field Studies (ecological surveys and community engagement), Social Service Projects, Comprehensive Practicum, Thematic Workshops, Professional Internships, and Graduation Thesis/Design.

IV. Distinctive Strengths

1. The program integrates multidisciplinary knowledge spanning planning, ecology, engineering, and social sciences, enabling graduates to excel in ecological design, smart city development, and cultural landscape preservation. Its immersive pedagogy combines theoretical rigor with field studies in exemplary natural and urban environments, fostering intellectual growth through direct engagement with high-quality landscapes.

2. Rooted in the 1980 Landscape Architecture and Horticulture program’s planning specialization, it has evolved through key phases: the 2001 launch of Urban Planning (Landscape Architecture) as a Bachelor of Engineering program, the 2008 establishment of the independent Landscape Architecture program, and the development of a science-driven curriculum over two decades.

3. The faculty consists of 30 full-time members, including five doctoral advisors, 10 master’s advisors, and 15 dual-qualified practitioners, five of whom hold National Class-1 Registered Architect licenses. Seven faculty members are active on national committees like the National Landscape Architecture Teaching Steering Committee.

4. The faculty is strong, and the academic atmosphere is rigorous. After over 30 years of development, the department has 30 full-time faculty members, including five doctoral supervisors and 10 master’s supervisors, five professors, 12 associate professors, and 13 lecturers. Among the young and middle-aged teachers, 24 hold doctoral degrees (including those currently pursuing their doctoral studies), and six hold master’s degrees. There are 15 “dual-qualified” teachers (possessing both academic and professional qualifications). The department also includes seven members on national professional committees, such as the Teaching Steering Committee for Landscape Architecture under the Ministry of Education, the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee of the State Council, and the Steering Committee for Professional Graduate Education in Landscape Architecture. Additionally, five faculty members are qualified as National First-Class Registered Architects.

5. This program is highly recognized as a regional leader. The National Forestry Administration designated it a key discipline, a Key Specialty, and a Characteristic Specialty in Heilongjiang Province. It maintains a national first-tier doctoral program and postdoctoral research station, holding preeminent influence in Northeast China while ranking among top-tier programs nationally.