Worldwide Urbanization

44M0585

Master

English

5.0

only summer term

1 semester

This module deals with worldwide urbanization processes and their consequences for urban growth, urban expansion into the periphery and several land use conflicts, e.g. between agriculture and housing. It examines the challenges arising from migration, urban growth in terms of space and the use of natural resources, as well as the unequal distribution of natural resources. We discuss planning strategies, such as green and blue infrastructure, in their dependence on climatic and social conditions and critically reflect these.

• Overview: Urbanization and asynchronicity (of shrinkage and growth) in different regions of the world
• Overview: Urbanization and migration (global and intrastate migration processes)
• Overview: Urbanization and planning: densification strategies / public infrastructure / green infrastructure / housing / land management
• Focus: Peri-urban areas under development pressure and strategies for sustainable land management
• Focus: Urban agriculture in metropolitan areas
• Focus: Blue-green infrastructures
• Focus: Projects aiming at climate-resilience
• Focus: Climate adaptation and mitigation measures and social and economic justice
• Special topics depending on the interest/research of the lecturer: e.g. urbanization and water balance, land management, resilient urban development 

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment or
• Portfolio exam or
• oral exam

The standard examination form is a term paper; deviations from this will be announced in the first four weeks after the start of lectures.

The standard form of examination is a term paper (Hausarbeit): ca. 10-15 pages

Basic knowledge of the subject is helpful but not required.

Students expand their factual and targeted knowledge of global urbanization processes and their instrumental knowledge of planning strategies for managing sustainable spatial development.

Students deepen their understanding of complex growth and contraction processes and their regional and global interdependencies.

In addition to targeted and factual knowledge, students also acquire instrumental transformation knowledge regarding the complex processes of sustainable global spatial development.

Students develop a planning-analytical understanding for dealing with complex urbanization processes and reflect on their findings by independently transferring them between project areas.

Through inquiry-based learning, students develop research questions and learn to synthesize spatially independent strategies for integrative, sustainable spatial development with context-dependent developments.

Students learn to communicate processes and planning strategies in text, image, and conversation. They develop their own approaches in applying communication methods.

Students reflect on the interfaces between disciplines such as spatial planning and regional development as potential fields of activity for their professional work.

• Schultz, Henrik

N.N.