ABSTRACT
Considering the specific dynamics of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities, where other developmental driving forces often overshadow research and planning around landscape-related themes and environmental issues, it is mandatory to include research and design strategies to tackle the problematics of urban development in ecologically sensitive and valuable areas. In this sense, a doctoral thesis in Landscape Architecture and urban ecology was an opportunity to research possibilities to promote the sustainable development of Maputo, Mozambique, by integrating coastal ecosystems in an urban green infrastructure within the wider ecological and social context of Maputo.
The research process also enriched knowledge exchange between the Higher Institute of Agronomy (ISA) in Lisbon and the Architecture and Physical Planning Faculty of the Eduardo Mondlane University (FAPF–UEM) in Maputo. Throughout the various fieldwork trips to Maputo, the FAPF–UEM teaching staff provided fundamental support to on-site research and fieldwork. In return, several moments contemplating Landscape Architecture and urban ecology topics were organized. This chapter describes the pedagogic experience and most significant knowledge exchange outputs concerning Landscape Architecture in the Mozambican academic context, where this field of knowledge is not a formal discipline and Landscape Architecture is not an accredited profession.
