Since 2009, HAS Green Academy in Den Bosch has been offering the higher professional education (HBO) degree programme in Management of the Living Environment (ML), in which you learn how to create an optimal green living environment. This bachelor’s degree programme is taught exclusively in Dutch. You will examine everything involved: green spaces, soil, water, residents’ interests, design and management. You will consider how we can design the Netherlands in a smart and future-proof way, in towns and villages, but also in rural areas and in nature. In doing so, you will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders: from local authorities and conservationists to residents, each with their own interests. You will truly be at the intersection of these interests. It is your task to translate all these different views into a sound plan or a creative solution. During the programme, you will work on real-world projects. After completing your studies, you can start your career as a young professional in the exciting green sector.
Year 1: Knowledge and foundation
During the first module, you will set about exploring the (urban) landscape, focusing on features such as soil, water and human activity. You will incorporate this knowledge into a timeline of your immediate living environment. In addition, you will learn about and expand your knowledge of various plant species and how to recognise them. Ample attention is given to your personal development and to recognising and utilising your strengths. In the second module, you will delve deeper into the landscape and apply that knowledge to a proposal for improvement. You will identify the key stakeholders and adapt your proposal accordingly. Modules three and four focus on the urban environment. Starting with the opportunities and challenges of a specific area, you will move on to developing a preliminary design, planting scheme and technical design. The focus is on working with planting, presenting your ideas and visualising them.
Year 2: Orientation and advancement
In Year 2, you will focus on the urban environment (first half of the year) and the rural environment (second half of the year). You will sometimes work individually and sometimes in groups, but always in collaboration with practitioners in the field. You will always begin as a group by conducting a survey and analysis of the brief, after which you will set to work on one of the various professional deliverables of your choice! The various professional deliverables can be categorised into different specialisms: strategic (focus on participation and process), spatial (focus on layout and design), and green-blue (focus on climate and biodiversity).
The urban environment – Using a neighbourhood in a city as a case study, you’ll tackle current issues. What are the key issues there in terms of climate, housing, amenities, green spaces and water? You’ll visit the neighbourhood several times, observe what’s happening there and come up with solutions such as a design for a street or a square, a plan for working with residents to make the neighbourhood more attractive, or solutions for a climate-resilient and biodiverse environment.
The rural environment – In the second half of the year, you’ll tackle issues on a larger scale, drawing up plans or designs for new nature reserves or identifying potential sites for future residential developments. The complexity of the challenges is increasing, as you’ll have to deal with a range of issues and a large number of stakeholders. After all, how do you ensure that farmers, nature conservationists and people looking for a home all find a place in the same area?
Year 3: internship and minor
The third year is all about applying and deepening your knowledge. During this year, you will undertake a national internship and an international experience (an international internship or a minor). You are free to decide how to structure this year based on your strengths and ambitions.
Year 4: Completion and professional assignment
The fourth year of the Higher Professional Education (HBO) programme in Environmental Management is also known as the graduation phase. In the first half of the fourth year, you will work on a major group assignment (a complex task from the professional field) and an individual assignment.
In the second half of the fourth year, you will work on the professional assignment (graduation assignment). The professional assignment is arranged for you by HAS, and you are free to choose one based on your ambitions and expertise. The problem you will tackle together with your project group is drawn from the professional field.
Working and further education
As a graduate of the ML programme, you will be awarded the title of Bachelor of Science. You can work as a designer, consultant, (prospective) project manager or (policy) officer at organisations such as design and consultancy firms, government bodies and management organisations. You can also set up your own business. After completing the programme, you can continue your studies on Master’s programmes in Wageningen and Delft or at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.
Variants of the programme
Associate Degree Green Living Environment fulltime, 2 years, in Dutch, in Den Bosch and Venlo
Associate Degree Green Living Environment part-time or work-study, in Dutch, 2 years, in Den Bosch and Venlo
BOS Landscape group
The BOS Landscape Group student association aims to connect and inspire professionals and students, and is an initiative of students studying Environmental Management at the HAS Green Academy. The BOS Landscape Group organises inspiring themed evenings featuring leading entrepreneurs from the field of landscape architecture. In addition, it organises informative field trips and other subject-related activities throughout the Netherlands.