Imagine an environment, a landscape. Where people live and work with nature. Where you work with local communities, entrepreneurs and other organizations that support nature-based economies. You learn these kinds of things in the Sustainable Landscape Development specialization.

During the specialization you assess different landscapes, the environment and ecosystems. In this you take into account international to local development challenges related to it. You assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts on the landscape and the sustainable use of ecosystems (current and future) and generate solutions on a regional and local scale, based on innovative land and forest use, management and business plans.

After the specialization, you will know the different landscapes and ecosystems and understand the challenges associated with them. You will also be able to assess the environmental impacts of the landscape and the use of ecosystems and solve the related challenges.

Added Value:
Professional practice in Sustainable Landscape Development indicated the need for the following:

The many needs and requirements of different stakeholders and the environment itself pose competition for land areas and land use. The current challenges in environmental and social settings in Europe require an understanding of how to develop changing landscapes, which offers opportunities for sustainable livelihoods whilst maintaining biodiversity. There is a knowledge gap in understanding the linkages between nature and conservation management and economics and therefore integrated environmental management, which takes into consideration the environmental, economic and social aspects is needed for transparent and fair use of land.

The society needs professionals who understand and can apply the principles of, for example, sustainable use of natural resources, ecosocial approach, cultural and geoheritage management, sustainable business management and entrepreneurship. In addition they need knowledge and ability to apply landscape and environmental governance, legislation and policies at global, European, national and regional levels. The future landscape developers will also need multi- and interdisciplinary skills such as communication, project and proposal writing skills making them team players and innovative professionals. 

The INVEST graduate:

1. contributes to sustainable solutions for regional social, economic, environmental and technological issues at different scale and management levels
2. selects, develops, evaluates and acts on regional sustainability
3. determines an environmental, economic, cultural and/or social technological added value for the region or local community
4. converts opportunities and ideas into viable corporate social responsible business (CSR) cases or innovations
5. formulates and develops CSR business decisions based on estimating possible developments within legal and social frameworks and with support of stakeholders
6. works together with stakeholders from different disciplines on complex regional issues
7. sets-up up and carries out an independent or team-based practice-oriented research focused on solving real-world and practical issues
8. works and reports systematically in a structured and methodical manner applying proper applied research and report methods
9. communicates clearly verbal and in writing with diverse dialogue and discussion partners professionally
10. applies interpersonal skills and a range of communication styles and methods with a high emotional intelligence
11. deals assertively with conflicts and risks
12. collaborates with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and generations
13. speaks and writes English language sufficient
14. communicates in the local language at basic level with local stakeholders who are active in the living labs during the research phase of the study abroad
15. reflects on his professional competences and improves his professional functioning
16. has a (international) professional network with intercultural relationships
17. organizes his work professionally and manages his time well, he delivers the required professional products and tasks on time, budget and at an appropriate quality level

And

The INVEST graduate Sustainable Landscape Development is able to:

• understand and explain the complexity and relation between geodiversity, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services.
• identify land use systems with e.g. forest management, organic agriculture, agroecology, etc.
• analyse the functioning of an ecosystem within a landscape, including social and economic factors (society) taking into account climate adaptation and mitigation
• understand the economics and certification programs of nature conservation
• design and evaluate a landscape plan

120 ects, first year completed entirely

English ERF Level B2

Provide documents for entrance requirements
Propedeuse certificaat / Overview first year
Motivatiebrief / Motivational letter
Curriculum Vitae
Overzicht behaalde resultaten / transcript of records

Learning activity:

Lectures          115 hours
Practical          105 hours
Lab work             0 hours
Project work     280 hours
Tutoring             90 hours
Excursions etc     40 hours
Self-study         179 hours
Assessments        6 hours

Make separate modules in SIS so NON-INVEST international students can choose parts.

Building Resilient Communities, VID3BRVE3, 7 EC`s, Written test + Assignment

Sustainable Land Use Systems, VLW4SLUVE, 7EC`s
Project Reflection report

Strategic Design, VTL3SOVE, 14EC`s
Analysis report +Portfolio Assessment

Introduction to Dutch Language and Culture, VLW4DLCVE, 2 EC`s Written test