Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts
garden+ Knowledge Centre
Research into landscape and garden architecture at Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts is conducted within the Kenniscentrum tuin+ (garden+ Knowledge Centre). The centre focuses on the design of open spaces in urban and suburban environments. Landscape as a guiding principle for the development of the urban environment plays a central role in this.
Research is conducted into how the design of open spaces can contribute to the quality of the built environment for people, plants and animals alike. An integrated design approach is taken, with a special focus on nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, biodiversity and natural planting. The focus is on rethinking formal open spaces, such as gardens, squares and parks, and on upgrading informal open spaces, such as vacant lots and scraps of land along road infrastructure. We are investigating how we can improve the social and ecological quality of these spaces and how we can link them to blue-green networks, slow roads and the wider environment.
The objectives of garden+
- To expand and deepen knowledge about gardens, open urban spaces, planting and urban greenery;
- To develop innovative visions and concepts for the design, layout and management of open green spaces in the city (and its outskirts);
- Formulating strategies to realise these visions and concepts;
- Testing and illustrating these strategies.
Research tracks
Two research tracks are funded by the Practical Scientific Research (PWO) programme:
The first research track is carried out in collaboration with students and takes the form of design-based research into specific cases. In recent years, the focus has been on research into inner-city building blocks and the possibilities for Community Supported Agriculture in the Brussels suburbs.
The second line of research focuses on rethinking classic urban open spaces and methods for evaluating their (re)design. Within this line of research, the interaction between biodiversity and cultural diversity is being investigated in urban cemeteries in Flanders and Brussels.
Read more about the garden+ Knowledge Centre
Contact: paul.verschueren@ehb.be