2017 (43) Special Issue: Diploma Thesis 2017

2017’s first issue of ‘4D’ Journal of Landscape Architecture and Garden Art is published with an annual special profile highlighting the achievements of the year past. Launched in 2006, 4D has always been a forum focused both on the scientific and creative. The journal includes professional communications such as reports and publications of the most prestigious events and major international meetings, conferences and lectures of the Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. This type of publication with recurring themes is of great importance to the community, since 4D is the only professional landcape periodical in Hungary. Therefore this is the only publication that appears regularly, meaning it represents the Faculty in both the domestic professional and official management positions, as well as the international arena.

Professional founder and editor of 4D is the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, which celebrates its 25th anniversary of autonomous faculty status this year. Therefore, it is most understandable that the support of the National Cultural Fund was dedicated with this present 43rd issue with an aim of highlighting the professional complexity and high standard of education within the Faculty. The diploma work and theses of graduated 2016-17 master students provide a good overview of the various thematic design and planning areas within the field of open space design, urban landscape architecture, landscape protection and rehabilitation, landscape development, and urban and regional planning.

The Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning offers master programs in agricultural engineering and in technical and artistic disciplines, within four master's degree programs existing since the 2006 introduction of the Bologna system: landscape architect MSc, urban planning and design MSc, landscape architect and garden designer MA and also an English language MLA program. A wide variety of specialists found in the master programs highlights the various outcomes and responsibilities of landscape architecture and urban planning professions. The MLA English-language master's degree program is especially important in the life of the Faculty, since the development of international education is not only expected as a strength, but offers a good opportunity for the introduction of Hungarian landscape architecture education into an international circle, helping to strengthen the relationships of the Faculty.

On behalf of the editorial board of 4D and the editorial staff, let me wish the young landscape architects and urban planners a professional challenge with a rich, successful career. At the same time I would urge our young colleagues to be regular readers of the Journal, and moreover to become part of the publishing of professional creative work, including plans, studies and scientific articles.