Summer school of landscape architecture and nature conservation
22–26 June 2026,
Dolní Dunajovice (CZ)
A five-day summer school on planning, managing, and maintaining public green spaces – focused on sustainable practices, native plant selection, and lawns. A real project with feedback for your portfolio and CV.
Date: 22–26 June 2026
Location: Dolní Dunajovice (CZ)
ECTS: 4
Language: the programme is conducted primarily in English
Capacity: min. 10 / max. 15 participants
Fee: 2,000 CZK
Accommodation: provided free of charge; meals provided throughout the course
The summer school is primarily intended for students of landscape architecture, urban planning, nature conservation, landscape protection and planning, spatial/urban planning, and the implementation and management of green spaces, as well as related fields – particularly from the Czech Republic and Austria.
The aim of the course is to introduce participants to the principles of planning, management, and maintenance of green spaces in urban and suburban areas. The course focuses on sustainable approaches to vegetation management and on criteria for selecting plant material, with particular emphasis on autochthonous and regionally native species. A significant part of the programme will be devoted to lawns.
The summer school takes place over five days within the specified period. Participants attend expert thematic lectures in the morning sessions. In the afternoon, they work on a week-long team project: a design proposal for the modification or new establishment of a public green space within a defined area, developed in cooperation with the municipality and under professional supervision.
The programme also includes a field excursion to seek inspiration for the student projects. On the final day, projects will be presented and discussed at a “mini-conference” in an open format for the public.
Who it’s for?
- Students of landscape architecture, urban planning, nature conservation, landscape planning, spatial/urban planning, and green space management
- Also welcome: related fields
- Especially for students from Czechia and Austria
What you’ll learn?
You’ll explore how to plan, manage, and maintain green spaces in urban and suburban settings – with a strong focus on:
- sustainable vegetation management
- smart plant selection
- autochthonous and regionally native species
- lawns and meadows
What you’ll get?
- 4 ECTS credits
- International experience in a multidisciplinary team
- New contacts across Czechia and Austria
- A real project with feedback for your portfolio and CV
How it works (5 days)?
Each day has a clear rhythm:
- Mornings: expert talks + thematic lectures
- Afternoons: teamwork on a week-long project
The project (the main thing)
In small teams, you’ll develop a real design proposal for improving or creating a public green space in a defined area:
- created in cooperation with the municipality
- guided by professionals
- includes implementation + management ideas
Field excursion + final mini-conference
- Field excursion: on-site inspiration, real examples
- Final day: you present your project at a public mini-conference
Open format, discussion with the audience, and real feedback.
Program
Program is in preparation.
Monday 22
Morning:
- Welcome
- Introduction to project locations
- Team formation and project selection
Afternoon - Excursion
Tuesday 23
Morning:
- theoretical lectures (detailed program in preparation)
Afternoon:
- team project work
- guided consultations with experts
- fieldwork
Wednesday 24
Excursion
Thursday 25
Morning:
- theoretical lectures (detailed program in preparation)
Afternoon:
- team project work
- guided consultations with experts
- fieldwork
Friday 26
Morning:
- Mini-conference (student project presentations and public discussion)
Afternoon:
- End of summer school
- Departure
Registration is currently under development.
We’re currently updating this section. More details coming soon.
Who is the summer school for?
Primarily for students of landscape architecture, urban/spatial planning, nature conservation, green space management and related fields from Czechia and Austria.
When and where does it take place?
22–26 June 2026, Dolní Dunajovice (CZ)
How do I apply and how many places are available?
Capacity is min. 10 / max. 15 participants. Apply via [application link]. If the course is oversubscribed, we may use simple selection criteria.
How does the week look?
Morning expert lectures, afternoon team project work.
Wednesday is a full-day field excursion.
A public mini-conference (project presentations + discussion) will take place on Friday.
What is the fee and what does it cover?
- 2,000 CZK.
- The fee covers meals, social activities, and excursion costs.
- Accommodation is provided free of charge.
What should I bring?
- Comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes.
- A notebook/laptop for your project work.
- Writing and creative supplies for designing projects (pencils, markers, rulers, scales, tape measures, etc.).
- We’ll share a detailed checklist with participants a few weeks before the summer school.