Sommersemester 2014

list of abbreviations:
c – compulsory | e - elective

 

Course Catalogue Summer Semester 2014
for the study course at the Institute for European Urban Studies

Study Projects
Seminars
Lectures
Exercises
Colloquiums

 

Study Projects

Prof. Bernd Nentwig
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Philippe Schmidt

c P Study Project - Interdisciplinary Fields 21 Credits*

Study Project Master European Urban Studies / Advanced Urbanism / Erasmus in summer semester 2014 in collaboration with Space Syntax

*The study project takes place in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Dirk Donath, Martin Bielik, Chair of Computer Science in Architecture (InfAR), Dr. Adél Gyimóthy, Chair of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning and Prof. Dr. Frank Eckardt,
Chair of Sociological Urban Research / Tutors: Nicole Kirchberger, Srdjan Mandić

Integrated Frequencies – Decoding Urban Space in Vienna

In the discussion about “liveable cities” urban space is mostly perceived as either a form of vital neighbourhoods in vibrant areas or as neglected or unattractive areas that are emptied out and deprived of urban life. Depending not only on the situation of the built environment or the uses in a single location, but rather depending on the context of a place in a grid of flows and movement patterns, there are different methods that help us understand why we perceive space as “working” or not. The perception of a location and its surroundings depends on several parameters that influence each other and finally make us read it as an urban text. In our study project we aim to decode and understand how functions and uses are interconnected with the idea of the urban morphology that constitutes our imagination of the ‘European City’. For this purpose, we will study areas of two cities with the methods developed by Space Syntax. Our goal will be to analyse and visualize in how far the creation of urban space is related to movement patterns and in how far those can be integrated in planning the urban realm. What are the challenges of adapting the existing urban fabric to future demands and in how far are master plans able to respond to these demands either? Are there correlations between the built form of the city and its heterogeneous spaces? And in how far are those urban spaces influenced by aspects of social space, creating conflicting Areas dedicated through different uses and groups of inhabitants? A preparatory phase will take place in Weimar, while the core subject of the study project is Vienna. Here, we will look at areas of the existing urban fabric to study and better understand the learned methods which will be later applied to a masterplan-analysis of a new urban development “Aspern Seestadt” recognizing its deficiencies and potentials. This will include areas of Commercial and cultural importance as well as housing areas at the edge of the city. Based on the analysis of four existing neighbourhoods in Vienna, we will try to understand in how far a masterplan can incorporate urbanists’ ideas and visions. The field studies will include Mariahilfer Straße that has recently been reorganized and serves as a test-site for rehabilitation and traffic reduction measures, partly being converted to a pedestrian zone, as well as housing areas in Vienna. The results will lead to a discussion about Aspern Seestadt and the development of recommendations for this large development project currently being realised according to an existing master plan.

The project is considering to bring into relation aspects of morphological analysis, spatial theory as well as sociological aspects of planning. The masterplan of Aspern Seestadt goes back to a competition won in 2007 by Team Tovatt Architects & Planners with Prof. Bernd Nentwig (N+ Objektmanagement) who is teaching Project development at the Institute for Europrean Urban Studies and will be involved in the design analysis for this study project.Two seminars accompanied by exercises are backing the study project. The seminar “Computational Analysis of Urban Space” will include the theoretical fundaments for different approaches and instruments of urban spatial analysis as well as their application in real space. The methodological instruction and a first preparatory training of methods will take place in Weimar with the focus on Space Syntax. A second application of the method will take place in Vienna during a six-days study trip from 4.-9. May 2014.The seminar “Understanding Vienna” is targeting on the different spheres of the city and places architecture and urban development into the broader context of cultural, societal and mental development of the Austrian capital.The course will be held as a pilot project of the Bauhaus-University’s participation in the BMBF (German Ministry for Education and Research) project “Offene Hochschulen” (Open Universities) with its programme “Professional Bauhaus”. The proposed study project at the Institute for European Urban Studies is targeting on online-collaboration to explore blended learning formats in the field of architecture and design education. For this purpose Space Syntax will cooperate on the study format for the purpose of learning and applying Space Syntax software, including Online-Lectures as well as an online-teaching with the goal to analyse urban spaces with international students. The final conclusion will lead to understand the common setting of large scale master planning in relation to the organic formation and setting of neighbourhoods as well as recommendations for action in the newer urban development.

A seminar for software application and exercises (3 ECTS) “Computational Analysis of Urban Space”, a theoretical seminar about urban sociology (3 ECTS): “Understanding Vienna” and the design analysis and recommendations (15 ECTS), The participation in the excursion to Vienna is mandatory.

Responsible Chair: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Nentwig, Philippe Schmidt, Chair of Construction Management and Economics, Head of “Professional Bauhaus” programme at the Faculty of Architecture, External partners: Anna Rose, Space Syntax Ltd., London, Sven Schneider, Decoding Spaces GbR, Weimar

Project concept: Philippe Schmidt
Project Duration: April 3, 2014 – July 3, 2014
Project Excursion: Vienna: May 4. – May 9, 2014
Project Exhibition: summaery2014, July 10. - 13., 2014, Weimar
Time: Thursdays, 09:45 – 16:45 Uhr
Location: IfEU, Belvederer Allee 5, Rooms 005 and 007
Start: Preliminary project meeting: 03.04.2014
Project start: 10.4.2014
Registration: Belvederer Allee 5, Ground Floor, Room 003
Participants: max. 45

Seminars

Vertr.-Prof. Steffen de Rudder

Dipl.-Ing. Inga Brückner

e S Urban Design / Urban Planning 3 Credits

Car Culture Cities

For decades the idea of the car-friendly city dominated urban planning. It can be observed that since a couple of years new models of urban mobility are coming up. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen show the world how car traffic can be reduced and quality of living be improved. In Germany it is different. When it comes to change in urban mobility, the world wide renowned country of car-production is lagging behind. Germany’s prosperity is largely based on its well performing car industry. But that alone does not explain why it is so hard for Germans to give up on their car, at least a little bit. Why are we so much in love with cars? – Because cars are just great. They are the latest in technical achievements, they are convenient, they are strong and fast, they are cool, they give you privacy and protection. Walking, cycling or public transport can only have a chance, if we understand what we are competing with. That is why in this seminar we will look at movies, at advertisements, at photography, at architecture and urban structures to find out how cars became one of our most desired objects of cultural history and how car culture shaped our cities.

Time: Wednesday, 09:15 – 10:45

Location: Belvederer Allee 5, Room 007

Start: 09.04.2014

Registration: Prellerhaus, 2

nd Floor

Participants: max. 30

list of abbreviations: c – compulsory

e - elective

4

Dipl.-Geogr. Britta Trostorff

e S Spatial Planning 3 Credits

My Thuringia is… – Regional Identity and Spatial Development

In the current debate on the perspectives of German spatial development and its policies, the long established

principle of equivalent living conditions in all parts of the country is severely questioned. The need to adapt to and

tackle the consequences of demographic development, climate change and energy dependence in combination

with the economic perspectives and financial situation of public households constitute the setting for the search

for alternatives. Following the European approach of Territorial Cohesion, attention is more and more spent to the

level of regions. The vague idea of “endogenous development potentials” becomes prominent again. The role of

the state is negotiated in direct reference to the role of the citizens. In this context, regional identity becomes an

important factor.

After a literature-based introduction and theoretical foundation of the subject, we will investigate regional identity

and its potentials for spatial development in Thuringia. Therefore, students will conceptualize and conduct their

own field-work in groups. The seminar is designed in the method of research-based learning: We will not only

simulate a research process but we will carry out own research and thus contribute to a current discussion.

Consequently, the seminar requires high motivation and interest of the students and the willingness to go beyond

the already known. Students get the opportunity to work highly self-determined though within a clear frame. The

seminar aims to prepare students for the Masters’ thesis.

Time: Wednesday, 11.00 – 12.30

Location: Belvederer Allee 5, Room 005

Start: 09.04.2013

Registration:

Belvederer Allee 5, 1st Floor

Participants: max. 25

Prof. Frank Eckardt

c S Urban Sociology 3 Credits

Understanding Vienna

Vienna is a city with many layers. There are long lasting historical tracks that are followed until today while on the

other hand the city is rapidly adopting to the circumstances of globalization. While regarded as a classical European

city with its clear centrality in urban form, it has also a history of the modern. This seminar wants to work out the

context of the traditional European urbanism, the development of the Vienna modernity and the recent adaptation

to the globalized conditions of urban life. It will thereby look into the different spheres of the city and places

architecture and urban development into the broader context of cultural, societal and mental development of the

Austrian capital.

Please note: This seminar is obligatory part of the study project of the European Urban Studies programme. It can

also been followed as a seminar

Time: Monday, 17.00 – 18.30

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8, Room 105 (from 05.05.2014)

Start: 28.04.2014 Belvederer Allee 5, Ground Floor, Room 007

Registration: Belvederer Allee 5, Ground Floor

Participants: max. 45

list of abbreviations: c – compulsory

e - elective

5

Karl Eckert (M.Sc.)

e S Spatial Planning 3 Credits

The Production of the EU – Cohesion through Urban Renovation

The European Union is heavily investing in the renovation of its urban environment in a manner mirrored on no

other continent. This is in recognition of the importance cities hold to realize broad political goals such as the

Europe 2020 Strategy of a "smart, sustainable and inclusive" growth for the Union. Critical views and opposing

opinions become marginalized as broad EU policies become mainstreamed and certain historical, cultural, socioeconomic,

environmental aspects (among others) are left out if not intentionally ignored. This makes EU funds and

their use an important subject to debate, especially in sight of the newly reorganized current programming period

which, at least on the surface, represents a new holistic and sustainable approach. But is this really the case?

The seminar will begin with the presentation of research results of the last funding period, including a theoretical

foundation for the interpretation of said programming and analytical methods. Topics such as "territorial cohesion"

and the urban dimension of EU eastern expansion will be presented and help explain the impact of Cohesion Policy

on the city and state level. Students will then undertake their own research on a topic of personal interest related

to the priorities and political goals of the EU. At the end of the seminar students shall be able to navigate through

EU policy and positively interpret its effect on cities and be empowered to propose new and creative designs for its

future use.

Time: Monday, 13:30 – 16:45

Location: Belvederer Allee 5, Room 007

Start: 07.04.2014

Registration: Belvederer Allee 5, 1

st Floor

Participants: max. 25

Dr. phil. Bernhard Stratmann

e S Urban Sociology 3 Credits

Urban Australia: Resilience, Sustainability and Headways

The seminar will explore major aspects of urban development in Australia, also looking at the historical formation

of Australian cities and the links between urban and societal development. Issues to be discussed will include:

housing and housing styles; suburbanization and urban renewal; gentrification; segregation; multiculturalism,

diversity and urbanity; the compact city model, urban form and sustainable development; transport and

infrastructure; economic restructuring and globalization; cities and regions; place marketing, hallmark events,

cities in competition; urban resilience. The concepts employed in the course can be applied to the analysis of

urban development in other Western countries, including Germany. In general, the seminar provides students of

architecture and of urban studies with an understanding of urban issues as examined by urban sociologists. Being

taught overseas the course will commence with an introduction to Australian society, including Aboriginal life and

culture.

Time: Monday, 15:15 – 16:45

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8, Room 105

Start: 14.04.2014

Registration: Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8, Room 114

Participants: max. 30

list of abbreviations: c – compulsory

e - elective

6

Prof. Dr. Frank Eckardt

e S Urban Sociology 3 Credits

Research in Urban Studies

This seminar allows students to get an insight into recent research on urban subjects from a variety of disciplines

and professional backgrounds. Students can present their work their own work (PhD or master thesis) and will be

offered a forum for discussion for different topics relevant in urban research.

Belongs to all PhD Master Programmes

Time: Tuesday, 11:00 – 12:30

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8, Room 105

Start: 29.04.2013

Registration: during the first lesson

Participants: max. 45

Lectures

Prof. Max Welch Guerra

Dipl.-Geogr. Britta Trostorff

Dipl.-Ing. Caroline Kauert

Dipl.-Ing. Elodie Vittu

Dott. Mag. Piero Sassi

c L Spatial Planning 3 Credits

Spatial perspectives between shrinkage and growth

After an introduction to the emergence and role of German spatial planning system since the 1920’s, we will

present a big Italian project under the fascist dictatorship (1930’s) and some Spanish measures to adapt the

territory to the necessities of the dictatorship under Franco (1940’s and 1950’s). Then, we will deepen three main

issues of the current discourse in spatial planning and show case studies to illustrate the topics: (1) the question of

regional disparities and the quality of life, (2) the question of urban policies and land consumption, both in the face

of shrinkage a well as growth, and (3) the issue of housing and housing policies in growing and shrinking regions.

Guest lecturers will share their expertise with us.

Examination requirements:

In order to successfully complete the lecture with an attestation, students are asked to participate in every class

and to once write a summary of one of the sessions in group-work. In order to successfully complete the lecture

with a grade, an own presentation focused on spatial planning has to be done during the semester (PhD-students)

or an essay to one of the issues discussed in the lecture has to be handed in until July 30th.

Time: Tuesday, 17:00 – 18:30

Location: Lecture Hall C, Marienstrasse 13 C

Start: 01.04.2014

Registration: Belvederer Allee 5, 1

st Floor

Participants: max. 50

list of abbreviations: c – compulsory

e - elective

7

Prof. Karl-Heinz Schmitz

e L Urban Design 3 Credits

History and Theory of Building Types

The lectures deal with the historical evolution of public buildings and public spaces. Two aspects are important:

function and architectural space. The history of function is one of diversification and specialisation. History has

shown that programmatic ideas and spatial ideas correspond within their own time but that form does not always

follow function. In many cases, typical spatial forms are capable of coping with a diversity of functional

requirements. Function can be implicit as well as explicit; how could we otherwise reuse older buildings.

Public buildings and public spaces are as much a result of conflicting architectural ideas proposed by different

periods of history as they are the result of a specific programmatic idea of their own time. Ideal buildings and ideal

spaces are the exception; in most cases, architects are concerned with the reconciliation of conflicting spatial ideals

and conflicting programmatic ideas. The lecture course supports the idea that the intuitive design process is part of

a greater architectural history. The lectures deal with the present, and with the past in relation to the present.

Time: Tuesday, 11:00 - 12.30

Location: Steubenstrasse, Audimax

Start: 08.04.2014

Registration: Prellerhaus, 3

rd Floor

Exercises

Dipl. Arch. Martin Bielek

c S Computer Science in Architecture 3 Credits

Computational Analysis of Urban Space

The Seminar is part of the project “Integrated Frequencies – Decoding Urban Space in Wien”. The Seminar deals

with the topic of numerical characterization of urban space. Approaches for the interpretation of the analysis

results are discussed. Furthermore the results of these methods are correlated with observable human behavior

(movement). Therefore we will undertake field studies in the cities of Weimar and Vienna.

Time: Thursday, 15.15 – 16:45

Location: Belvederer Allee 5, Room 007

Start: 03.04.2014

Registration: Belvederer Allee 5, Ground Floor

Participants: max. 45

list of abbreviations: c – compulsory

e - elective

8

Colloquium:

Dr. Sebastian Schipper

C

Master-Colloquium 4 Credits

The course is the platform for presentation and discussion of the Masters theses. The candidates will present the

intermediate results of their work on their individual topics. Suggestions for further action will be made by fellow

students and academics attending the colloquium.

Admission for the Master examination is required for participation.

Performance record (attestation) will be achieved by giving an oral presentation.

Time: Block course, see notice-board

Location: Belvederer Allee 5

Start: See notice-board

Registration: Not necessary, all students accepted for the Master examination have to participate

C

IPP EU Doctorate Colloquium 4 Credits

The course is the platform for presentation and discussion of the Doctoral theses.

Time: Block course, see notice-board

Location: Belvederer Allee 5

Start: See notice-board

Registration: Not necessary, all students accepted for the Master examination have to participate