Landscape Engineering: An Overview

Landscape Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that integrates science, technology, and art to create and manage sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environments. Students in this discipline must possess both scientific knowledge and artistic sensibility, combining expertise in agricultural sciences with the creativity of design and architecture.

A Landscape Engineering student should be familiar with subjects such as soil science, meteorology, turf management, horticulture, and floriculture. For instance, they should be able to select suitable grass species, apply appropriate fertilizers, and design efficient irrigation systems to produce high-quality turf for recreational or ornamental purposes. They must also be capable of cultivating durable flowering plants and selecting and maintaining appropriate tree species for urban environments through proper pruning and management practices.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each person requires approximately 2 to 4 square meters of accessible green space to maintain physical and psychological well-being, underscoring the critical role of Landscape Engineering in urban sustainability and human health.

This academic discipline was formally introduced in May 1994 (Ordibehesht 1373) by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, which proposed its establishment in five agricultural faculties across different provinces. Among them, the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Tabriz was the first to implement the program.

The Department of Landscape Engineering at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan began admitting undergraduate students in 2009. After several successful years of offering the undergraduate program, the department launched its Master’s program in Landscape Engineering in the academic year 2024–2025. Notably, only four universities in Iran currently offer a Master’s degree in this discipline, with the University of Sistan and Baluchestan being one of them.

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Career Opportunities and Job Prospects

Given the increasing importance of sustainable urban development, Landscape Engineering graduates are in high demand in both the public and private sectors. Major employment opportunities include:

Designing, managing, supervising, and implementing green space projects in municipalities, government agencies, and private institutions

Serving as expert planners and consultants in organizations such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, and Ministry of Roads and Urban Development

Teaching in agricultural and technical high schools or conducting applied research in environmental and agricultural research centers

Establishing private enterprises in landscape design, urban greenery, and environmental consultancy