Information Package / Course Catalogue
Ergonomics in Landscape Design
Course Code: PM120
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to grasp the principles of ergonomics and anthropometrics in landscape design, and to evaluate the needs of different user groups, scale-proportion relationships, accessibility, and usability criteria. Students are expected to gain the competency to develop functional, safe, comfortable, and user-centred landscape design solutions by examining the ergonomic aspects of public outdoor spaces, furniture elements, planting design, children's playgrounds, and design for people with disabilities.

Course Content

Concepts of ergonomics and anthropometrics; user needs, scale-proportion relationships, accessibility, usability, and comfort criteria in landscape design; ergonomic evaluation of outdoor furniture elements in public spaces; ergonomic approaches in planting design; design principles for people with disabilities, children, and various user groups; the relationship between functionality and ergonomics in landscape design; user-centred evaluation of common design errors in outdoor spaces and solution proposals based on ergonomic principles. Assessment is based on written exams, class participation/performance, and assignments. In-semester evaluation consists of participation/performance, assignments, and midterm exam totalling 40%. End-of-semester evaluation is based on the final exam (60%).

Name of Lecturer(s)
Assoc. Prof. Özgür KAMER AKSOY
Learning Outcomes
1.Ability to explain ergonomics and anthropometrics concepts in the context of landscape design, and to evaluate landscape from multiple dimensions including user needs, scale-proportion relationships, and accessibility.
2.Ability to address the physical, perceptual, and accessibility needs of different user groups (people with disabilities, elderly, children, etc.) in an integrated manner in the landscape design process.
3.Ability to ergonomically analyse outdoor furniture elements used in public spaces in terms of scale, comfort, safety, and usability, and to develop solution proposals.
4.Ability to interpret and apply universal design and accessibility principles in planting design, children's playgrounds, and arrangements for people with disabilities.
5.Ability to develop ergonomics-based, safe, and user-centred design decisions in landscape designs, considering functionality, accessibility, and user comfort.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Babalık. F., C., 2007. Mühendisler İçin Ergonomi-İşbilimi,Nobel Yayın Dağıtım, Ankara.
2.Yörük, İ., Gülgün, B., Sayman, M.,Ünal Ankaya, M., 2006. Peyzaj Planlama Çalışmaları Kapsamında Ege Üniversitesi Kampüs Örneğindeki Peyzaj Donatı Elemanlarının Ergonomik-Antropometrik Açıdan İrdelenmesi. Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 43 (1), 157-168.
3.Tilley, A. R., & Henry Dreyfuss Associates. (2002). The Measure of Man and Woman: Human Factors in Design (Rev. ed.). New York: Wiley.
4.Neufert, E., & Neufert, P. (2012). Architects' Data (4th ed.). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
5.Harris, C. W., Dines, N. T., & Brown, K. D. (Eds.). (1998). Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture: Design and Construction Data. 2nd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
6.Gehl, J. (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space (J. Koch, Trans.). Washington, DC: Island Press.
7.Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Turkey. (2024). Accessibility Guide: Buildings. Ankara.
8.International Organization for Standardization. (2021). ISO 21542:2021 Building Construction — Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment (2nd ed.). Geneva: ISO.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Course objectives, scope, delivery, assessment method, and the importance of ergonomics in landscape design
Week 2 - Theoretical
The concept of ergonomics, its fundamental principles, and its relationship with landscape architecture.
Week 3 - Theoretical
The concept of anthropometrics; human measurements, body proportions, and movement spaces.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Factors influencing ergonomics and anthropometrics: age, gender, physical ability, and cultural differences.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Human-space relationship; user needs and user-centred design approach.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Use of anthropometric data in landscape design: pedestrian paths, seating areas, stairs, ramps, and transitional spaces.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Ergonomic design principles in public outdoor spaces: safety, comfort, accessibility, and usability.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Ergonomics in outdoor furniture elements: seating units, lighting, waste bins, wayfinding and shading elements.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Planting design and ergonomics: field of view, shading, wayfinding, safety, ease of maintenance, and user comfort.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Universal design and accessibility principles; design criteria for people with disabilities, the elderly, and different user groups.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Ergonomics in children's playgrounds: age groups, safety, movement space, equipment selection, and user experience.
Week 12 - Theoretical
The relationship between functionality, comfort, and ergonomics in landscape design.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Ergonomic analysis in urban open spaces: evaluation in terms of scale, accessibility, safety, and user needs.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Common ergonomic design errors in outdoor spaces, solution proposals, and general course evaluation.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Assignment4%20
Midterm Examination1%15
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Assignment110414
Midterm Examination1819
Final Examination110111
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)76
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
OÇ-1
OÇ-2
5
5
OÇ-3
4
OÇ-4
4
4
OÇ-5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026