Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore
Location: Europe, Spain, Canary Islands
GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

Come to the Canary Islands to explore the intersection of climate change, sustainability, and urban design. This immersive experience takes place in Gran Canaria, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. You will engage directly with the complex interrelationships between climate, ecology, culture, and the built environment in an island context.

Through hands-on fieldwork, site visits, and design studios, you will study the critical role of territorial landscape infrastructure in promoting sustainable urban development. You will analyze how the Canary Islands, with their limited natural resources and strategic location, serve as living laboratories for developing innovative solutions to global challenges. The program offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into traditional agricultural practices, landscape infrastructure, and the balance between tourism growth and environmental conservation in one of the world's most vulnerable yet dynamic regions.

Dates and Deadlines

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Summer202502/15/2507/13/202508/16/2025

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

Faculty-Led Scholarship Opportunity

Applicants to this program are eligible for program-specific scholarship funds. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500-$1,500. To be considered, apply to the GEO General Scholarship by the advertised deadline for the term you will be abroad. Students who apply will automatically be considered for all available funding within the General Scholarship, including this program's scholarship funds.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Island Futures Studio (LA 488/588) - 6 UO Credits: ISLAND URBANISM: Landscape, Tourism and Climate Change

In the Island Futures Studio course, students will embark on an in-depth exploration of the landscape and urban challenges faced by Gran Canaria, focusing on sustainable development in response to climate change. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and fieldwork, students will analyze the island's unique environmental, cultural, and socio-economic contexts. The course will culminate in the creation of a comprehensive master plan that addresses both current and future challenges, integrating sustainability, resilience, and social equity. This 6-credit course provides a foundation in climate-responsive urban design and landscape architecture, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Island Futures Media (LA 488/588) - 2 UO Credits: HOW TO MAP AN ISLAND?: Methods and Technologies for Island Metrics

The Island Futures Media course focuses on advanced mapping technologies and spatial analysis methods essential for understanding and addressing environmental challenges in island contexts. Students will gain hands-on experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drone surveying, 3D modeling, and computational analysis, applying these tools to assess and visualize the complex landscapes of Gran Canaria. This course complements the studio work by providing the technical skills needed to support design decisions with data-driven insights. Earning 2.0 credits, this course equips students with cutting-edge techniques for island analysis and sustainable development planning.

Course Equivalencies

Island Futures Studio is approved as LA 489/589 – 6 UO quarter credits

Island Futures Media is approved as LA 450/550 – 2 UO quarter credits

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

  • Experience with digital design software (Rhinoceros + Adobe Creative Cloud)
  • All classes will be in English, but a working knowledge of Spanish will be beneficial.
  • This is a design intensive program for Architecture and Landscape Architecture students interested in landscape architecture, urban planning, and urban design challenges related to climate change
  • You must be eligible for University of Oregon LA 489/589 or ARCH 4/584 (intermediate level) studio sequences
  • Graduate students are required to have a GPA of 3.0 or above

Faculty and Staff

Ignacio López Busón is a Spanish architect, landscape architect (OR), and urban designer from the Canary Islands, with extensive international experience across Europe, Asia, and the USA. He is the principal and co-founder of MAPS (Methods for the Architecture of Patterns and Systems), a research initiative dedicated to innovative design solutions that integrate human and natural systems at all scales. Ignacio is recognized for his expertise in merging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with computational generative design, and he has led numerous courses and international workshops in landscape architecture and urbanism.

Housing Description

Students will be placed in a residence hall at Residencia Las Palmas. This is twin accommodation with ensuite bathrooms and shared kitchens.