The Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management (LDEM) is an academic unit within the American University of Beirut established in 2007 to house two programs, the Bachelor Degree of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and the Interfaculty Master of Science in Environmental Sciences (MSES), major Ecosystem Management (ECOM).
The BLA is the only one of its kind in the MENA region and received accreditation in 2021 making it the first accredited program by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) outside the USA. LDEM offers license-qualifying degrees at the graduate and undergraduate levels and is an official member of the European Council for Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS).
Due to its distinctive position within the university, LDEM promotes collaboration with various academic units including architecture, urban design and planning, agriculture, food security, archaeology, engineering, and public health. LDEM faculty are engaged in research and teaching across a breadth of topics including landscape architecture, ecosystem management, environmental design and planning, and landscape management. LDEM integrates the academic and professional experience of its accomplished faculty members and practitioners in graduating a generation of leading landscape architects who concurrently utilize design and science in the field.
Graduates from both programs are successful professionals holding positions in landscape architecture, multi-disciplinary design and planning firms, local and international private consulting firms, international organizations and UN agencies, non-profit organizations, and Government Ministries. LDEM is housed in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS)
Department History
- 2000–BSc program in Landscape Design & Eco-Management was established.
- 2007–Department of Landscape Design & Ecosystem Management (LDEM) was established.
- 2013–Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) was established.
- 2019–Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program was fully registered at NYSED.
Department Mission
To graduate lifelong learners and critical thinkers who adopt a holistic view of the landscape and the environment, and who are equipped with interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and creative, flexible skills for the design and management of natural and cultural resources to become, with experience, successful professionals serving their communities
The essence of the department lies in its interdisciplinary nature, equally in teaching and in research with applications in the larger Middle Eastern region. To that end, the Department builds on the strong linkages established with other academic units within and outside the faculty.
Department Vision
- To
remain a leading
academic institution.
- Offer
degrees in Environmental
Science and
Landscape Architecture in
the Arab World.
- Graduate
socially
responsible designers and scientists.
- Responsive
to place,
culture, and ecological needs of the region.