Making sense of a complex world;

Introduction to this module

Landscape modelling1017DL

Module staff

• Julian Swindell: module leaderjulian.swindell@rau.ac.uk– Rural landscape, – Modelling the landscape as maps and

computerised models• Iain Butler

iain.butler@rau.ac.uk– Urban landscape

Aims: Why we are running this module

Three things surveying students need to know:

• How the real world can be visualised as simple, manageable models – analogue maps and digital spatial models

• Why contemporary landscapes are like they are• How to use maps and spatial models as aids to

managing the developing landscapes of the future

Objectives: the module content

This module covers three overarching areas• An examination of traditional and digital technologies used

in the creation of maps. • A study of the evolution of the contemporary landscape, both

rural and urban from historical times to the present day• An exploration of the technologies used for creating,

manipulating and analysing spatial data as landscape models to aid land and property management.

Outcomes: what successful students will achieve in the module

To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to: • Demonstrate knowledge of how landscapes can be represented

as a graphical or digital model;• Demonstrate knowledge of how contemporary landscapes

came to their current form;• Demonstrate understanding of why and how people and

societies value and manage landscapes;• Obtain data and information needed to model both rural and

urban landscapes;• Use GIS and ICT to

collect, manage, model and analyse landscape information.

Assessments

• Two forms of assessment will be used– Marked assessments

• There are two of these, one carried out during the module and one at the end

– Developmental assessments• These are unmarked, but they will develop the

skills and knowledge you require for complete the marked assessments

Marked Assessment 1: Coursework

• One coursework assessment, carrying 50% of the module mark:– This is set at the beginning of the module. – There will be one coursework tutorial whilst

you are working on it– You will receive a mark and feedback

within three weeks of submission

Mark Assessment 2: Examination

• One, two hour exam at the end of the module, carrying 50% of module mark

• This will be closed book, unseen with a choice of questions to answer

• Previous exam papers are available for study

Developmental assessments: lots

• There will be student activities associated with each unit of the module

• You will be expected to take a full part in online discussion forums

• These activities carry no mark, but you need to work through all of them to be adequately prepared for marked assessments.

Module Web site

• The module is supported by a web site on the Gateway VLE. This will contain all support materials and links to external resources http://gateway.rau.ac.uk

• This site will develop and change during the course of the module, managed in part by your feedback.

Gateway home for Landscape modelling module 1017

Current activity box. Updated weekly

Important resources, Updated occasionally

Module staff

Timetable and discussion forum

Live resource link

Module learning outcome

Resources still to come (not linked yet)

Evolution of the rural landscape

Elements of the rural landscape

Rivers and canals

BuildingsWalls and fences

Roads

Cherished landscapes

Urban Landscape

• Urban landscapes; what they are

• What they mean• Why they are

important • How they developed• How they are now

controlled• How important their

role is today

Townscape

• The language of urban landscapes– Elements/components– Subjective and

objective perceptions– ‘eye of beholder’– Visual exploration

Urban Landscape Elements

• The buildings– Different ages and

styles– Vernacular and polite

• The spaces– designed landscapes

• Their arrangement– City plans and

models

Landscape modelling

• The Ordnance Survey and its products

• Other sources of maps and spatial data

Maps as graphical models of the real World

GIS (geographical information systems) and their applications

• GIS for – Map visualisation– Model building– Data integration– Spatial analysis– Problem solving– Decision making

And finally

• You will only learn if you work hard• It will be hard• You are expected to read widely• You are expected to develop your own

notes on the subject• Assessments may cover any aspect of

the subject, don’t skip anything out

What next?

• Go through this module’s Gateway site and see how it is structured and what resources are accessible

• Check Gateway frequently to see what is happening

• Use the forum for module communication and queries

http://gateway.rau.ac.uk