Dr Hansen Breaks New Ground with PhD in Landscape Architecture

For Dr Gaby Hansen, completing her PhD is more than the culmination of years of academic work. It is a milestone that carries personal significance while also shining a light on the growing importance of Landscape Architecture in Namibia. 

A lecturer in NUST’s Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction, Dr Hansen has been part of the University since 2010 and was among the fundamental staff members who helped pioneer and develop the Architecture programme. Her journey has now reached another significant milestone, following her graduation with a PhD in Landscape Architecture from the University of Pretoria on 01 September 2026. 

A Doctoral Journey Marked by Firsts 

The achievement is particularly noteworthy in the Namibian context, where Landscape Architecture is still an emerging field. Dr Hansen emphasises that its significance lies not only in the qualification itself, but also in the role the profession can play in addressing some of the country’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges. “This is particularly significant given that Landscape Architecture remains a relatively emerging and under-recognised profession within the Namibian context, despite its increasing relevance for addressing climate adaptation, sustainable development, and the future of our built environments,” she said. 

Her doctoral journey was marked by several notable achievements. In recognition of her postgraduate research progress, she received the Best Progress in Postgraduate Research Award from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Architecture (BouKunde). She also made history at the University of Pretoria by becoming the first doctoral recipient from its Department of Architecture, and the first within the entire Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT), to complete a PhD through the article-by-publication format, a structure that replaces traditional single-book dissertation with a collection of peer-reviewed journal papers. 

Putting Landscape Architecture on the Map 

The quality and relevance of her research were further recognised. “I had the privilege of presenting my doctoral research for the PhD Research Award at the 6th City Space Architecture Conference: Past, Present and Future of Public Space, organised by Luisa Bravo, a distinguished public space scholar.” Her research went on to emerge as the winning entry. 

The achievement subsequently received further recognition from the African Journal of Landscape Architecture, which featured the announcement in its July 2026 newsletter. 

As one of the first Namibian-born women from a diverse cultural background to complete a PhD in Landscape Architecture, Dr Hansen’s achievement represents more than an individual academic accomplishment. It contributes to the visibility of a profession with an increasingly important role in shaping sustainable, climate-responsive and resilient environments.