290309 PSE Seminar in Applied Geography, Spatial Research and Spatial Planning (2025W)

The course is part of an ongoing project that aims to develop a 2025-2035 strategy for the "Wienerwald" Biosphere Reserve (BPWW). The "Wienerwald" Biosphere Reserve is a model region for sustainable development that has already been recognized by UNESCO and has a 20-year history of implementation. The BPWW comprises 51 Lower Austrian municipalities and seven Viennese municipal districts. It covers an area of 105,645 hectares and is characterized by different climatic and geological zones as well as rural, suburban and urban areas.

The current future strategy of the UNESCO Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve 2030 is based on four key areas: Natural area management, research and monitoring, education and communication, and regional development. In the area of natural area management, the focus is on the protection and sustainable use of natural resources, the preservation of biodiversity and the management of conflicts of use. Research and monitoring serve to scientifically observe and document ecological processes in order to create a sound basis for management decisions. Education and communication aims to raise awareness of the biosphere reserve and reach various target groups through educational programs, excursions and events.

A particular focus is on cooperation with schools and young people as a specific target group and the development of educational partnerships. Regional development focuses on the sustainable economic development of the region, in particular through the promotion of partner companies and regional products. The participatory approach, which provides for the involvement of various interest groups and the local population, is particularly noteworthy. Goals by 2030 include increasing the level of awareness by 20%, setting up a youth forum and initiating at least six cooperation projects between partner companies. The existing future strategy has laid a good foundation for the work of the biosphere reserve.

The aim of the project seminar is therefore, in addition to a theoretical-conceptual localization of the topic in applied geography, spatial research and spatial planning, above all to achieve a methodological expansion of competence. In addition to the case study analysis, newer concepts and methods of spatial sciences are therefore applied, reflected upon and used for the transfer of knowledge into (planning) practice. Students are given the opportunity to work independently on questions, methodological approaches and the preparation of results in individual and group work. The course instructors accompany the students as input providers and moderators.