Academic year 2019/20

Introduction to European Cities

Lecturer: Jun. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniela Zupan

Study programmes: European Urban Studies (EUS), Integrated Urban Development and Design (IUDD), Master’s in Architecture, Bachelor’s in Architecture

2 SWS / 3 ECTS

Language: English

“Introduction to European Cities” is a reading seminar closely linked to the lecture “European Cities I”. It provides comprehensive knowledge of European urban development and introduces students to key texts in urban studies. The seminar systematically explores the topics introduced in the lecture in greater depth. We will read selected texts, reflect critically on them, and use them as the basis for group work and discussions. In doing so, we will familiarise ourselves with relevant current and historical perspectives and research on European cities. Topics to be discussed include the European city as an analytical and normative concept, neoliberal urbanism, post-socialist urban transformation, and tangible and intangible urban heritage. The seminar takes place every two weeks.

Presentation/Certificate

Start: 15 October 2019, 1.30 pm, Belvederer Allee 5, Room 005

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Shrinking Destination: the Future of Urban Tourism

Lecturer: Dr. phil. Ammalia Podlaszewska

Study programme: European Urban Studies (EUS), Integrated Urban Design and Development (IUDD), Media Architecture

2 SWS / 3 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Introduction:

The shift in attitude amongst city planners towards the tourism industry was prompted by the decline of long-established economic activities and the need to introduce new ones. These urban dynamics have prompted contemporary cities to seek ways of enhancing their image through tourism, in the hope that the development of the industry would lead to the physical, social and economic revitalisation of the city. City destinations are keen to adapt to the new forces of globalisation by drawing on popular attractions from around the world, where tourism is, paradoxically, expressed in the language of the locality. As a result of this dichotomy between the global and the local, ‘locality’ has emerged as a new dimension, explored and commodified by both planners and industry practitioners.

The contrast between the paradigm of urban tourism and the local reality in German cities today can be seen in the downward spiral phenomenon, particularly evident in many cities in eastern Germany. Especially since German reunification in the 1990s and the market integration of eastern Germany, many cities in the east have been exposed to a desolate state of population decline and have been in the throes of economic transformation. This situation challenges the general focus of tourism development on economic growth as a ubiquitous measure of welfare in contemporary society and suggests a radically different way of thinking about welfare and prosperity (Demaria et al., 2013). Urban tourism in the context of population decline challenges the current capitalist production model and its imperative for growth.

The seminar therefore aims to propose alternative concepts that introduce new trajectories, new politics and new policy approaches to bring about a transition away from the hegemonic economy. Concepts such as degrowth in urban tourism will be discussed during the semester to highlight the multiple facets of place as a palimpsest of social relations and identities. These outcomes are not necessarily permanent; they are temporary in nature and thus constantly challenge the notion of permanence. The influence of local politics and global capital interferes with social relations and may generate new spatial outcomes. As we conclude our discussion of the definitions of tourism spaces, their types, development cycle and transformation, we will explore appropriate methods for their empirical identification.

Aim of the seminar:

In the seminar, students are invited to: (1) examine the relationship between aspects of tourism place-making and the factors within a given society that cause or significantly influence the process of population decline. The discussion thus moves away from the discourse of urban planning and towards a dialogue on values and political questions relating to alternative concepts of urban tourism; (2) the spatial and social transformation brought about by tourism in shrinking cities – reflecting a fundamental shift in emphasis from physical conditions to social configurations and questions of use – is gradually being recognised and accepted by various stakeholders.

Students are encouraged to investigate the significance of tourism and its role in urban development within the debate on the contemporary city and the pursuit of strategic planning. Analysis is conducted on how tourism and the city co-exist and interact to generate alternative economic activity structured around the production and consumption of leisure.

An excursion to towns in Thuringia forms part of the seminar’s exploration.

Structure of the seminar:

The pedagogical structure consists of two parts, which are further subdivided: the theoretical-methodological part based on the literature, and the empirical part, which involves a study visit to the relevant case study in Thuringia. The seminar comprises a series of lectures, active student participation, a study visit and critical reflection/evaluation. The lectures provide the theoretical background necessary for discussion, incorporating relevant literature reviews.

Concept for the excursion: Observing the city and rethinking the pedagogy of place and placemaking will help us pave the way towards meaningful urban design. To this end, some emphasise the visual and physical attributes of place, whilst others draw on broader contexts, categories and mechanisms in their attempts to understand place. For the latter group, the study of place is rooted in the major political and economic forces that shape and redefine the physical environment, and is less concerned with issues of design and aesthetics. These approaches will complement one another and require the development of appropriate teaching methods.

During the seminar, students will undertake:

1. A study visit and excursion to a city in Thuringia, e.g. Erfurt. Students are encouraged to contextualise their knowledge of urban tourism within the framework of Erfurt as a tourist destination. In addition, we will visit a community-based tourism site in the city and invite a guest trainer to lead a workshop.

2. Group work (groups of up to 3 people): Students are expected to give a group presentation and lead a discussion with the rest of the class. The students may suggest the method of presentation or facilitation (PPT presentation, workshop format, panel discussion, role-play, etc.). The topics for the presentations are based on the content of the reading materials discussed in class. The guidelines for the ‘Group work’ will be discussed and distributed during the seminar.

3. Individual work: Students are also expected to submit a short individual essay after each lecture (4 critical reflections on the lectures, max. 2 pages). The summaries will also serve as material for the discussion following the presentation, to encourage the further development of knowledge. The guidelines for the ‘Essay’ will be discussed and distributed during the seminar.

4. Final assessment to be submitted at the end of the semester (groups of up to 3 people): ‘Understanding the City’ ‘Guidebook’. Students are expected to produce this alternative ‘Guidebook’ for their chosen city, comprising the results of the fieldwork and desk research, graphical/visual representations, photographs, narratives and testimonials.

Evaluation and Assessment:

Class participation and study visit 30% 

Group work and presentation 20%

Short essays (4 critical reflections) 20%

Final assessment (individual) 30%

Time: Every two weeks, starting on Wednesday 16 October 2019, 9.15 am–12.30 pm, Belvederer Allee 5, Room 005

30 October 2019 // 13 November 2019 // 27 November 2019 // 11 December 2019 // 22 January 2020 // 5 February 2020

Certificate

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Research Methods I

Lecturer: Dr.-Ing. Lisa Vollmer

2 SWS / 3 European Credit Transfer System credits

Language: English

Study Programme: European Urban Studies 

Time: Tuesday 09:15 to 10:45, Room 005, Belvederer Allee 5

This practical seminar will deepen students’ understanding of the process of producing scientific knowledge, the basic ‘rules’ of scientific work and the procedures involved in academic research, such as the various methods used in urban studies. Students will be enabled to formulate their own research interest and research topic. They will define their own research question and develop a research concept step by step, progressing from the proper formulation of the research question to the selection of appropriate research methods. 

The seminar is based on exercises and the active involvement of students, who will shape the content in line with their research interests and the methods required.

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Academic Skills (Lecture)

Lecturer: Dr. phil. Lisa Vollmer

Study programme: Integrated Urban Development and Design (IUDD),

2 SWS / 3 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Language: English

At the outset, we will examine the process of producing academic knowledge, considering the basic ‘rules’ of academic work. As ‘learning by doing’ is usually a successful approach that allows us to experience the specific demands of a research process, you will work in small teams throughout the course to define and plan your own research project. As we begin the practical work, we will first look at different sources of information, how to interpret and evaluate them, as well as how to cite and organise them correctly in academic work and writing. Now that you have an idea of how and where to gather information, you will define your own research question and develop a research plan step by step, progressing from formulating the research question correctly to selecting suitable research methods, drawing up a timetable and documenting your work.

 European Cities

Lecturer: Jun. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniela Zupan

Study programme: European Urban Studies (EUS)

2 SWS / 3 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Language: English

What is the “European City”? How have cities in Europe developed historically? And what are the trends and challenges that characterise contemporary European urban development?

By addressing these questions, the lecture provides fundamental and interdisciplinary knowledge on European urban development. It discusses key concepts related to the ‘European City’, offers an overview of foundational research, and explores new strands in European Urban Studies. It illustrates these developments with case studies from various European cities. In the first part, the lecture reflects on the history of urban development and the tangible and intangible urban heritage in European cities, and examines the analytical and normative dimensions of the ‘European City’. In the second part, it examines these conceptual and theoretical frameworks in the light of current socio-spatial, economic and political developments in various European cities, such as neoliberal urbanism, processes of post-socialist urban transformation and the construction of heritage.

Written Test / Grade

Start: 17 October 2019, 17:00, Coudraystraße 9A, Lecture Hall 6

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Research in Urban Design and Urban Planning

Lecturers: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Barbara Schönig, Acting Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen de Rudder, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sigrun Langner

Study Programme: Master’s in Architecture, European Urban Studies, Integrated Urban Development and Design

2 SWS / 3 European Credit Transfer System credits

Language: English

Time: Monday 15.15 to 16.45, Steubenstraße 6, Audimaxx

The lecture focuses on recent debates in urban research from the perspectives of urban planning, urban design, landscape planning and architecture. Building on these debates, it discusses methodological issues relevant to various fields and contexts of urban and planning research.

The child-friendly city

Lecturer: Prof. Dr Frank Eckardt

Degree programme: MA European Urban Studies, MA Urbanism

8 SWS / 12 European Credit Transfer System ECTS

Language: English

Semester: Summer Semester 2020

The aim of this project is to promote the topic of child-friendly urban planning, focusing on two cities in Poland (to be decided later following a desk study) and Germany (Altenburg) which, in the context of population decline, are shaping living conditions for children. The project is investigating how small towns can actively address the fact that there are fewer children living there and that many young people wish to leave these towns. How can institutions such as schools, sports clubs or nurseries act in such a way that children do not suffer as a result of depopulation, emigration and a shortage of educators, teachers and friends? How can opportunities for young people’s social and intellectual development be strengthened? The project is to be implemented in collaboration with local partners who are actively involved in working with children and can therefore provide insight into the everyday lives of the adults. It is linked to the ongoing debate on the inclusive city. It is also intended to encourage both cities to benefit from the experiences of the UNESCO ‘Child-Friendly City’ network. The mutual exchange should raise awareness of existing opportunities within the city for greater participation by children in everyday life and of their specific needs being placed at the centre.

Schedule

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