Regional Co-operation in the Field of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning.

Ramzi Hassan

Development program between Birzeit University, Palestine and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. For the Heritage 2011 Conference, Amman/Jordan.

This paper describes processes, activities and major achievements for a capacity building project in landscape architecture and spatial planning for Palestine. The program consisted of two separate projects running until 2010. The Norwegian Council for Higher Education, Centre for International University Cooperation, financed one project based on joint initiatives and applications from both universities. The other was initiated, organized and financed bilaterally, between the Faculty of Engineering, Birzeit University (BZU) and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). Palestinian and Norwegian taskforces were assigned according to progress and needs under supervision of the Palestinian and Norwegian coordinators.

Cultural landscape in Palestine. Photo: Ramzi Hassan

The overall purpose of the program was to enhance capacities and skills relating to education, research and the conduct of planning under the consideration of public involvement and the use of relevant technologies. The first particular achievement was the launching of a master program in Landscape architecture at BZU. UMB was in charge of a “sandwich” research curriculum, exclusively for Palestinian master and PhD-candidates. The research curriculum has provided key personnel for teaching and research in the new master program. Birzeit University has extended its capacities and in 2008 a master program in landscape architecture was launched and coordinated with the existing bachelor and master programs in planning. The second particular achievement is the establishment of a Virtual Reality laboratory at Birzeit by 2010. The VR Lab is designated to be used by planners and decision makers to investigate planning scenarios through the use of advanced visualization technology.

VR-Lab at Birzeit University. Photo: Birzeit University

Conferences, seminars and local meetings have been arranged in order to disseminate information on research, policies and planning relating to the Palestinian environment. Training in the use of latest technology and dissemination tools has been an important part of such inter-institutional arrangements. To make reality out of this aim, extensive participation towards authorities, other universities, NGOs, associations, etc. was very much needed.

The project has enabled the Palestinian academic community to be better prepared for the planning challenges facing the society in a future nation building phase of Palestinian history.

Published: 08.03.11
Updated: 20.05.11
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Virtual Reality Lab

For more information contact :
Ramzi Hassan Dr.Scient.
Associate Professor, Computer Visualizations in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture.
Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB).
P.O.BOX 5029,
1432 Aas - Norway
E-mail: ramzi.hassan@umb.no
Phone: +47 64965358
Fax: +47 64948390
Mobile: +47 97001573