Universität Wien

290103 SE Seminar in Human Geography (2021W)

The Complexity of Sustainable Urban Development - the Case of Seestadt Aspern

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 29 - Geographie
Continuous assessment of course work
MIXED

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: German, English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Update 22.11.2021:
The seminar will be held digitally.

Wednesday 06.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 13.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 20.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 27.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 03.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 10.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 17.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Digital
Wednesday 24.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 01.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 15.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 12.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 19.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
Wednesday 26.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Sustainable urban development needs to consider and to find solutions for a wide range of challenges. Among those challenges are climate, demographic, and political change, which at the city district level are related to the functioning and use of open space, housing, commerce, mobility, etc. These challenges raise the question how integrated development and planning approaches that address this complexity and balance between the requirements of urban sustainability can be successfully implemented. Further questions are: How powerful are digital infrastructures and systems to trigger and contribute to a more sustainable development, e.g. in terms of optimizing services and their accessibility? And, how does this relate to social innovation and nature-based solutions, and particularly, how does the integration work?

The seminar addresses this complexity of sustainable urban development, and cities in general, by exploring the Seestadt Aspern (Vienna) as an illustrative example. This district, currently under development, is often considered an outstanding example and model of sustainable urban development in Europe. It offers the opportunity to take a necessary integrated view on sustainability through critically scrutinizing and challenging different aspects considered as “sustainable”, “innovative” and “future- oriented” during the seminar. This includes among others document and media analyses, field trips, planning and conducting workshops and interviews with planners, investors, entrepreneurs and local residents connected to the Seestadt Aspern (topics and methods to be proposed and selected by students). On this basis, students contribute to a common integrated understanding of the complexity of sustainable urban development with in-depth knowledge on individually selected topics, which will lead to a “decision support framework” (Joint outcome).

Note: The seminar will be held in English, but sufficient German language skills to be able to read and understand German texts about the Seestadt and to conduct field work are required.

Assessment and permitted materials

The seminar consists of 2 parts: a) research seminar and b) integration seminar. The following aspects need to be worked on for the successful completion of the seminar:
a) Work on individual topic with short interim and final presentations in plenary (research seminar)
b) Active contribution in discussions and research for the joint development of a “decision support framework” (Joint outcome) (integration seminar)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

- Scientific paper (40%)
- Presentations (interim and final results) and contribution to the "decision support framework" (40%)
- Participation in discussions (20%)
For a positive final assessment, the seminar paper must be passed. A positive final assessment is only given if all minimum requirements have been met.

Examination topics

Reading list

see Moodle

Association in the course directory

(MG-S4-SE) (MG-S5-SE) (MR3-PI) (MA UF GW 02-1)

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:22