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Design with Water: Water as a Resource in the Landscape
About the course
Immersive course on the role of water in landscape
The concept of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) is rapidly gaining traction, positioning itself as a cornerstone of modern planning. As cities worldwide grapple with the dual challenges of rapid expansion and the escalating threats of climate change, the need for sustainable and resilient water management has never been more critical. Increased impervious surfaces lead to higher runoff volumes, overwhelming conventional drainage systems and exacerbating flood risks. Simultaneously, environmental demands on water systems, ranging from ecological health to resource sustainability, are becoming increasingly complex. Blue-Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer a paradigm shift, moving beyond traditional "grey" infrastructure (pipes, pumps, concrete) to integrate natural processes into the urban fabric. BGI provides multi-functional benefits, including:
- Flood Mitigation: Enhancing infiltration and water storage (e.g., green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens).
- Water Quality Improvement: Filtering pollutants through soil and vegetation.
- Biodiversity Enhancement: Creating habitats within the living areas.
- Urban Cooling: Providing shade and evaporative cooling.
- Improved Public Health: Creating attractive, accessible public spaces.
Course term: 03-10 August 2026 (in-person)
Course format: In-person + online component
Credits: 3 ECTS
Capacity: 30 students
Who can participate
The Summer School is a multidisciplinary international programme open to students pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in environmental design disciplines, art, architecture, environmental sciences, and related fields.
Where: Hvanneyri, Iceland
The workshop will be hosted by the Agricultural University of Iceland, campus Hvanneiry, which is located in the west of the country, in the heart of the Andakill ecological sanctuary, a protected area that balances biodiversity with estuaries, wetlands and agricultural heritage.
The course is organised as the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
Participants are eligible to apply for the Erasmus+ mobility grant. Grants are awarded by sending institutions, and all participants are advised to contact their International Relations Office or Erasmus coordinator at their universities as soon as possible.
There are two types of mobility grants:
a) Student BIP mobility
Students can apply for an Erasmus+ mobility for studies grant for BIP. The Erasmus+ grant contributes to travel costs and includes a daily allowance. The exact sum depends on the distance between the home institution and the venue of the event. Please contact the International Relations Office or Erasmus+ Coordinator at your university as soon as possible. The number of Erasmus+ BIP grants may be limited, and application deadlines are individual at every university!
b) Staff mobility for teaching/training
Participating staff can apply for the Erasmus+ mobility grant. Please apply for your mobility grant through your institutional International Relations Office or Erasmus Coordinator as soon as possible. Availability of Erasmus+ grants may be limited, so make sure you don´t miss the application deadline at your institution.
If you have any questions about Erasmus funding, feel free to contact the Erasmus+ Coordinator at AUI:
Lukáš Pospíšil
+354 433 5022
Your Teachers
Registration Instructions
Application period: 15-30 April 2026
Please submit your application via Sproti online portal at https://ugla.lbhi.is/courses/sproti
Create your Sproti account using your email address.
Click on the available study and "apply" for the Design with Water: Water as a Resource in the Landscape
Fill out the application form and submit it by clicking Apply at the bottom of the page.
Useful Information when Travelling to Iceland
Are you wondering what kind of weather you can expect in August, what a yellow alert may mean, and where it is announced? Or, maybe you are not sure if you need any cash... and what about the volcanoes?
Don´t worry, here you can find links and a comprehensive overview which will make you an expert on travelling to Iceland!
MUST HAVE - SafeTravel Operated by ICE-SAR
The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue provides secure and well-sourced information for travellers about Icelandic conditions and safety. An app for Android and iPhone is available. It is important as it will send regular updates information and alerts if something BIG happens. Please install it to your smartphones. www.safetravel.is
Vedur.is
Vedur is the website of the Icelandic Met Office, and here you can check the weather forecast as well as the weather related alerts. We have three levels of these alerts in Iceland: Yellow - Orange - Red. https://en.vedur.is
Road.is
Vegagerðin – Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration – IRCA. The state of roads is one of the most popular topics of complaint amongst Icelanders, alongside the weather. IRCA operates a very useful website with regularly updated road closures and conditions. Check the conditions before you decide to enjoy that road trip! Mountain roads (F roads) are accessible only by 4x4 vehicles. https://umferdin.is/en
Clothing
The weather in Iceland changes quickly, and the seasons blend into one another. Here is some advice on packing for your Iceland trip - before you try squishing your entire closet into a suitcase. August may be fairly windy, and it can be raining a lot too. www.visiticeland.com
Emergency
In an emergency, call 1-1-2. You can dial +354 112 or contact the service via webchat: Webchat with the emergency operator is available at the link on the right. Citizens of EEA countries should not forget to bring their EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card), which is accepted in Iceland. https://www.112.is/en
