Thirty Years of Landscape Education at ISA Chott Mariem: Honouring Our Legacy, Shaping Tomorrow

A New Chapter for Landscape Education at ISA Chott Mariem: Establishing an Independent Department of Landscape Architecture

The 2025–2026 academic year marks a defining moment in the history of Landscape Architecture at the Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Mariem (ISA Chott Mariem). Beyond a year of celebration, it represents a period of institutional recognition, renewal and transformation, reflecting the continuous evolution of landscape education in Tunisia.

The official inauguration of the Department of Landscape Architecture stands as a major milestone in this new chapter. Formerly integrated within the Department of Horticultural Sciences, the establishment of an independent department acknowledges the growing importance of Landscape Architecture as a distinct discipline, with its own educational identity, research ambitions and professional perspectives. Dr. Ikram SAΪDANE was appointed as the first Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture, after having previously coordinated the Landscape Architecture program within the Department of Horticultural Sciences. Her involvement in both phases reflects the continuity of the program’s development and the commitment to strengthening the institutional recognition of Landscape Architecture at ISA Chott Mariem.This institutional achievement has also provided a strong foundation for two other major developments that marked the year: the celebration of 30 years of Landscape Architecture education at ISA Chott Mariem and the accreditation of a new professional Bachelor's program in Sustainable Landscaping and Green Space Management.

The 30-year anniversary celebration, held during a special event in November, was an opportunity to honor the history and achievements of the Landscape program, which has trained generations of professionals, including the 30th cohort of Landscape Engineers, now contributing to landscape projects in Tunisia and abroad. At the same time, the launch of the new Bachelor's program reflects ISA Chott Mariem’s commitment to adapting its educational offer to emerging environmental challenges and to the growing need for skilled professionals in sustainable green space planning and management.

Together, these milestones illustrate the new momentum of Landscape Architecture at ISA Chott Mariem: a discipline rooted in a rich academic heritage while continuously evolving to address the challenges of contemporary territories and to shape greener, more resilient and more liveable environments.

Three Decades of Shaping Landscape Professionals

A highlight of this anniversary year was the Landscape Day, held in November to celebrate three decades of Landscape Architecture education at ISA Chott Mariem. The event was structured around two complementary themes: education and professional practice. The first part traced the origins and evolution of the programme, paying tribute to its founders and to those who have contributed to its development over the past thirty years. The second looked ahead, exploring the future of the profession in the face of major environmental, social and urban challenges. One of the most inspiring moments of the day was the testimony of ISA alumni, now working in both the public and private sectors in Tunisia as well as abroad, particularly in France and Switzerland. Their careers, spanning landscape design, entrepreneurship and landscape expertise in environmental litigation, illustrated the diversity of opportunities offered by the profession. Several employers and practitioners also emphasized that ISA-trained landscape architects are immediately operational, a strong endorsement of the quality and relevance of the programme. Bringing together academics, landscape companies, representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, municipalities, regional departments of public works and tourism, and many other stakeholders, the event fostered a rich dialogue on the evolving profile of the landscape architect and the skills required to address the challenges of more sustainable and resilient territories. Beyond celebrating past achievements, the discussions and exchanges throughout the Landscape Day also provided valuable insights for the forthcoming revision of the Landscape Engineering program, a process that will begin in the coming academic year. The perspectives shared by academics, employers, alumni and institutional partners highlighted the need to continuously adapt the curriculum to the evolving labour market and to the pressing environmental, social and territorial challenges facing Tunisia and the international community.

A New Professional Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Landscaping and Green Space Management

Responding to Emerging Environmental and Urban Challenges

As part of its commitment to adapting landscape education to current environmental and professional challenges, ISA Chott Mariem has launched a new professional Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Landscaping and Green Space Management. This program responds to the growing demand for qualified professionals capable of designing, implementing and managing green spaces that contribute to more sustainable, resilient and liveable territories.

Training Objectives

The program aims to train professionals capable of:

• Designing, developing and enhancing sustainable, functional and aesthetically valuable green spaces.

• Planning, implementing and managing landscape development projects and worksites.

• Mastering horticultural, arboricultural and agroforestry techniques applied to green spaces.

• Implementing ecological management practices that preserve water resources, soils and biodiversity.

• Contributing to ecological transition and climate adaptation through sustainable landscape solutions.

A Practice-Oriented and Multidisciplinary Curriculum

Delivered over six semesters (180 ECTS credits), the program combines theoretical courses, practical training, fieldwork, landscape workshops, professional internships and digital tools. It provides students with a multidisciplinary skill set at the intersection of landscape design, horticulture, ecology and territorial management.

The curriculum covers key areas including:

• Landscape design and garden arts.

• Green space planning, management and maintenance.

• Ornamental horticulture, arboriculture and plant production.

• Urban ecology, biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation.

• Water and soil management.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital mapping and 3D modelling.

• Environmental education and entrepreneurship.

Through workshops, field projects and professional internships, students develop operational skills directly connected to the needs of the green space sector.

Academic Opportunities and Further Studies

After completing the Bachelor's degree, graduates can continue their studies in several related fields, including:

• Landscape Architecture and Environment.

• Horticultural innovation.

• Urban planning and public space development.

• Natural resource management.

• Ecology and environmental sciences.

• Water and coastal environment studies.

The program provides also a strong foundation for further studies in landscape engineering, horticulture, environmental sciences and sustainable territorial management.

Career Opportunities: Preparing Professionals for the Green Transition

In a context marked by climate change, urban growth and increasing demand for greener environments, the need for qualified green space professionals continues to grow. Graduates will be prepared to work as:

• Green space managers.

• Landscape project officers.

• Landscape designers.

• Landscape CAD/GIS technicians.

• Entrepreneurs in landscape design, construction and maintenance.

• Ornamental nursery production managers.

• Sports field managers.

• Environmental education facilitators.

They will have opportunities within municipalities and local authorities, ministries and public agencies, landscape companies, design offices, nurseries, environmental organisations, tourism and recreational facilities, or through the creation of their own landscaping businesses.

Looking Ahead

The celebration of thirty years of Landscape education, the establishment of an independent Department of Landscape Architecture, and the accreditation of a new Professional Bachelor's program mark a new milestone in the history of ISA Chott Mariem. Together, these achievements reflect a renewed ambition and reaffirm the Institute's commitment to educating future professionals capable of designing, managing and transforming greener, more resilient and more sustainable landscapes. As it looks to the future, Landscape Architecture at ISA Chott Mariem is entering a new and promising chapter, built on academic excellence, innovation and a strong commitment to sustainable development.