After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

... understand the specific characteristics of lakes as an essential resource for the future development of lake regions;

... recognize the special relevance of lakes for the common good, especially with regard to accessibility;

... to make a significant contribution to the coordination of the manifold interests of use (esp. settlement, tourism, recreation, nature conservation, traffic, architecture) at and on lakes;

... formulate inter-municipal and regional cooperation strategies for lake areas;

... formulate strategies and measures for improved public accessibility.

... to record and present past spatial development as well as current conditions and trends using the example of lakes (regions) via cartography and mapping as well as key figures and infographics, to draft general visions and future perspectives and to present spatial planning control options in text and plan.

In many places there is a commitment to make lakes and other natural areas accessible to the general public. In some places, this has been achieved. However, over long stretches of lakeshore suitable for bathing are covered with private houses, accommodation facilities and various infrastructural facilities, and no-trespassing signs line the shores. The situation has not yet been systematically investigated in a comparison of Austria. What is the real situation of the lakes?

The central counterpart of this teaching focus, which is composed of different courses, are the - larger - lakes in Austria. Since lakes have hardly been dealt with in spatial planning teaching so far, the focus on lakes shall contribute to the analysis of the corresponding spatial, societal and building and planning conditions, the specific current (and historical) use interests and conflicts at and on lakes. A substantive focus will be placed on the public accessibility of lakes. Based on the respective research, which will be complemented by professional inputs from different experts and political decision makers, strategies and visions for future development at and on specific lakes will be developed. A diverse picture of visions and strategies is intended to sensitize a larger group of addressees to a more conscious and careful use of lakes. Lakes to be worked on in groups are Lake Neusiedl, Lake Wörth, Lake Attersee and Lake Constance, but students can also contribute their own suggestions.

The course starts with first lake images, inspirations and associations to the lakes, which are followed by the research and analysis phase as well as the design phase for future images, strategies and measures. In the research and analysis part - as standardized as possible to enable comparability - relevant basics are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively and processed cartographically as well as via infographics. Technical input will be provided by the course instructors and invited experts as well as political decision-makers. The processing of future perspectives (scenarios, future images, strategies, measures) will be characterized by a variety of methods and results, which will depend on the interests and professional priorities of the students.

The students will work - predominantly - in small groups.

This master concept module is coupled with the bachelor elective module 4 Cooperation: Region - Lake Sight. Registration, dates and organization of the Bachelor elective module can be found in the VU Über Seen (LVA-Nr 280.475).

Attendance is compulsory at the kick-off meeting!

Each student must bring an inspiration for the chosen lake to the kick-off. This inspiration can be presented freely - creative approaches are welcome!

Inspiration of the lake (open presentation), documentation of the research and analysis results (in plan, picture and text), together with the drafts of future images (e.g. scenarios, zoning, action spaces and potentials), strategies and measures prepared in a presentable way, e.g. as a booklet, folder, film, podcast or the like, as well as a poster and a short professional article, attendance and cooperation at plenary meetings, independent excursion on site, final presentation (online).

Note: A follow-up course (field trip) with on-site presentation will be scheduled for Fall 2021.