1. Subject
The study programmes European Urban Studies" (EU) and Integrated International Urban Studies (IIUS) offer students the possibility of expanding their prior professional education in an interdisciplinary manner. This is provided by a broad variety of courses. Within the framework of these programmes, students may introduce new, extraordinary questions for discussion - and make use of these issues for their Master Thesis in the context of one or more of the four represented educational disciplines Urban Planning, Project Development, Urban Sociology and Spatial Planning.
According to Paragraph 9, Subparagraph 2 of the Examination regulations, the Master Thesis may be carried out as a scientific work, but also as a commented design. Students may choose the appropriate form for their thesis according to the goals of their master studies.
2. Finding a subject
An early orientation regarding the subject during the first and second semester is highly recommended. The subject may be connected to one of the issues discussed in the seminars, lectures and projects.
The teaching staff of the EU and IIUS programmes support and advise the students in their search for a subject.
According to Paragraph 2 Article 3 of the Study Regulations, the Master Thesis may also serve as preparation for a PhD project in terms of subject and content. Please observe the suggested structure for Exposes for Master Theses / Dissertations at the end of this guideline.
3. Tutorship
The Master Thesis is to be supervised by two scholars. The primary supervisor must be a professor of the Institute of European Urban Studies.
Each student has the right to conduct three consultations with his primary supervisor. At the first meeting an Exposé should be presented, six weeks later a fully-fledged preliminary table of contents; the last meeting should be coordinated individually according to requirements.
4. Formal Criteria
Scientific work
The formal criteria of the Master Thesis in the form of a scientific paper are oriented on how to create a scientific seminar or master thesis paper according to widely published general recommendations. The following aspects may serve as a general guideline:
Necessary elements of a paper are title page, table of contents, text (introduction, main part, conclusion), list of literature and sources. Possible elements are appendices such as maps and graphics, statistics as well as registers of any kind.
In its most important elements, the table of contents should be identical with the structure of the paper. It clarifies the concept of the paper (train of thought), the relevance of the singular sections for the chosen subject and general information on the content of the singular sections.
In the introduction, the author explains how he / she understands the subject and which questions are to be derived from it (topical analysis), why he /she sets particular limitations to the subject (topical limitation) and which concept he /she determines as basis for the treatment of the subject (development of concept).
The requirements for the main part of a scientific paper are as follows:
- the thematically correct placement of major issues
- clarity and logic in the succession of the sections and within the argumentation
- objectivity and balance in terms of extent of the nexus of problems and the singular sections
- relevance, unambiguity and differentiated formulation of statements, a solid (i.e. secured by proof or argumentation) quality of statements
- identification of statements made by the author, i.e. the authors assertions and judgments
- exposure of particular premises of objective analysis, theoretical considerations of the introduction or implementation of models
- correct and unambiguous use of terminology as well as
- incorporation and purposeful integration (quotations) of the most important literature
In the conclusion, the author reflects upon the questions stated in the introduction and summarizes the conclusions of his work. This is established by giving an objective, temporal or developmental outlook in the final section, which refers to secondary aspects of the topic as well as new questions which have developed in the process. The conclusion should not include major thoughts or statements regarding the subject which have not been part of the thesis prior to the conclusion.
The bibliographic sources include the entire literature actually used for a particular paper. In this form, the bibliographic sources provide proof to which extent the author has established an overview of the subject.
Commented Design
One characteristic of the postgraduate study programs EU and IIUS, which shapes its identities, is the endeavor to connect scientific thinking and working on the one hand and conceptual designing on the other hand. Thus, information and imagination are two sides of the same coin.
Central focus of an urban planning Master Thesis is dealing with the interconnection of spatial and functional as well as spatial and creative issues. In so doing, a commented design represents the goal which is to be achieved. Subject, place, and spatial definition of the Master Thesis are to be determined by the author in coordination with the tutoring professor. Group work is possible, if it can be ensured that the recognition of the individual contribution is objectively identifiable.
The process of a Master Thesis with focus on urban planning should be oriented towards the experience of planning practice. The following steps are suggested:
1. Reason and goal of the task
- definition of the task
- development of an individual question guiding the research (interest, contemporary issue, contribution to a recent discussion; e.g. Center/New Urbanism...)
2. Analysis survey before plan
- collection of information and data
- determining of field of analysis after laying out the goal
- collection and illustration of third party contributions (i.e. Zoning plan)
3. Survey evaluation
- resulting criteria from point 1 + 2 for evaluation of the analyzed material
- differentiation according to spatial, functional, social ... criteria (e.g. user, investor, citizen, local administration...)
4. Scenarios
Clustering of recognized trends and development of conceptual ideas in the form of what if-scenarios. 2-3 alternatives of an imaginable future in textual and graphic form.
5. Leitmotif
Formulation of a Leitmotif which communicates the envisioned quality of a planning goal. The Leitmotif commits all actors taking part in the urban, project of building development to consensual values. Example: the Book of Quality in Dutch urban planning or the Planwerk Berlin.
6. Concept of structure
The structural concept differentiates the statements of the Leitmotif and provides concreteness. Illustration in layers: spatial structure / landscape / infrastructure / social structure etc.
7. Framework plan
The framework plan represents the final stage of urban planning prior to planning for planning approval and/or project design. Within the framework plan, urban planning goals are architecturally formulated.
Note
Information & imagination are inseperable during a design process. Scientific thought which aims towards knowledge which can be objectively proven on the one hand, and the invention of images within urban design on the other are to be understood as interactive processes. The scientific character during the phase of analysis will be more pronounced than during the phase of discussing the Leitmotif. Creating quantifiable information which can be evaluated in an objective manner is recommended to be visualized: the commented design shall identify the author as an expert for space with a scientific education. The interdisciplinary component of the 'European Urban Studies' program must find its expression in the presentation of the Master Thesis as an integrated text-plan-form!
5. Administrative information
The regulations for Master Theses (permission for Master Examination, registration schedules, acceptance and evaluation of the Master Thesis etc.) are specified in the Examination rules. Students are advised to diligently follow the relevant posts featured on the pin board in the Institute of European Urban Studies. The current schedule for the Master examination's proceedings can be downloaded from the institute's webpage.
Formally, the subject for Master Thesis is determined by the Chairman of the Examination Board.
The formal timeframe for producing the Master Thesis amounts to three months. The subject can be returned only once and only during the first month of this timeframe. In case of the submission of a well-founded request, the Examination Board may (according to Paragraph 9 Section 6 of the Examination Code) exceptionally extend the timeframe for a maximum of three months.
6. Work program
The following points should be considered in drawing up the Expose for the Master Thesis:
- Subject of work
- Reason for choice of subject (personal motivation)
- Type of work (commented design / scientific Master Thesis and/or empirical field study and/or textual or design analysis etc.)
- Nature of discourse, eventually quest for knowledge and methodological concept
- Subject of research & material basis
- Preconditions and personal preparatory work
- Recent state of research and deficits in research and/or placement of the subject within the prevailing scientific discourse
- Scientific and practical meaning of work
- Working and schedule plan
The master colloquium in the fourth semester offers the opportunity to introduce the chosen subject and to discuss, revise and qualify your Master Thesis.
The European Urban Studies teaching staff wishes the best of success for the completion of your Master Thesis.