Green Roofs and Ecological Landscape Design for Watershed Protection

The elective course \’Green Roofs and Ecological Landscape Design for Watershed Protection\’ will focus on green roofs as one alternative to create multi-functional and cost-effective urban green spaces. We will discuss a broad range of landscape designs that ecologically enrich urban areas while simultaneously protecting watersheds. The intent of this class is to discuss the relationship between the built and natural environment and to identify the consequences of various land use patterns to the health of watersheds, aquatic life, and air quality. The objective is to apply unconventional but available technologies to mitigate adverse impacts of development and impervious surfaces. Students will learn how to merge landscape design with stormwater regulations and air quality control to create landscapes that are not only beautiful but also cost effective, functional, maintainable, and environmentally-sound.Throughout the course students will learn to assess landscape designs against the U.S. Green Building Council\’s LEED Green Building Rating System. Students will also learn about regulations and policies and to discuss those with confidence.While the class will not be taught in studio-style, the information covered during the course can subsequently be applied in other studio courses.This course will meet alternate weeks on the following days:Feb 8-9Feb 22-23 Mar 8-9Mar 22-23 Apr 5-6Apr 17-20May 3-4