Course Spotlight: Biophilic Landscaping

What is it?

More tree canopies, green walls and roofs, more surfaces covered by plants, and less covered by exposed concrete and asphalt. Biophilic landscaping is about more than adding greenery – it considers how people experience nature and how designed spaces can support connections with the natural world.

That might mean creating places to sit in the shade, introducing water or natural materials, or designing a route that feels welcoming and easy to navigate. It can also involve making space for wildlife and choosing plants that suit the local climate and conditions. The goal is to bring nature into the places where people live, work and spend time.

How to achieve it?

It may seem like a no-brainer – more planting can help address some of the challenges of urban living. But successful biophilic design takes planning. A landscape needs to work for the people who use it, suit its location, and be practical to maintain over time. Accessibility, safety, water use, materials, and the needs of the local community all matter.

Our Biophilic Landscaping course explores these ideas, from the relationship between outdoor environments and human well-being to the practical considerations involved in creating and improving green spaces. You’ll look at concepts such as biophilia and biomimicry, and explore how urban development, environmental pressures and the design of a place can shape people’s experience of it.

The course introduces design principles and patterns used in biophilic urban design, including ways to connect people with nature, create a sense of place and encourage positive experiences. You’ll consider how light, air, water, plants, animals and natural materials can contribute to a landscape, as well as how features such as views, sheltered spaces and clear routes can influence how people use it.

You’ll also explore the components that make up a landscape. Hard materials such as stone, brick, timber and metal sit alongside soft elements such as turf and plants. The course considers direct experiences of nature, like encountering plants or water, as well as indirect ones – such as natural colours, images and materials. It also examines how green spaces can support healthy places, including through comfort, opportunities for activity and restorative surroundings.

From gardens to green roofs

Biophilic landscaping can take many forms, from a home garden to a public space, workplace or urban development. The course covers ways to assess existing landscapes and identify opportunities for improvement. You’ll explore practical approaches such as shade, windbreaks, hedges and screens, as well as natural gardening, waste disposal and working with local conditions.

There’s also a focus on more complex urban features, including green roofs and walls. You’ll learn about different installation types, plant selection and considerations such as accessibility, structural weight, drainage and waterproofing. Water management is another important theme – the course explores rainwater harvesting, retention and reuse, runoff, biofiltration and ways to reduce reliance on pest-control chemicals.

Understanding potential risks is part of designing responsibly. The course considers topics such as water quality, contaminants, air quality and plant-related issues, alongside the benefits and limitations of biophilic approaches. This helps build a more rounded understanding of what landscape design can – and cannot – achieve.

Learn at your own pace

Whether you’re interested in sustainable living, gardening, landscape design or the future of greener cities, our Biophilic Landscaping course provides a structured introduction to the ideas and practical considerations behind biophilic spaces.

From assessing a landscape to exploring how nature can be incorporated into urban development, the course helps you see green spaces in a new way.

If you have any questions or would like to enrol, please get in touch.