Through reviewing the history of environmental design education, this article points out that environmental design is the art and design of human settlements, and the establishment of the discipline of environmental design is a milestone in design education. On the other hand, this discipline now encounters some puzzled problems, such as the role of art or design, and integration or differentiation of its sub -disciplines. The results show that environmental design should continue to uphold the educational philosophy of an overall living environment designed, rely on the first -level discipline of design, with the professionally oriented education set a reasonable system of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and explore the technical scientific issues of environmental design.