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

... use suitable methods to independently record, reflect on and scientifically and planningly prepare the spectrum of specific spatial conditions, trends, future prospects and spatial planning control options (submission of the Bachelor's thesis), using the example of services of general interest in rural areas.

The provision of essential goods and services of general interest, especially in rural areas, is not only a major economic and financial challenge for municipalities and institutions of general interest (efficiency and financing), but is also of eminent importance for social justice and the quality of life of all citizens (social distribution and justice). The different realities of life of different socio-demographic groups must be taken into account. Possible content Focal points for the preparation of the Bachelor's thesis

... the specific characteristics of services of general interest as an essential resource for future development,

... the particular relevance of services of general interest for the common good, especially with regard to accessibility,

... the diverse usage requirements (e.g. local supply, care, nursing, education) and their coordination,

... inter-municipal and regional cooperation strategies for services of general interest,

... strategies and measures for improved supply and accessibility.

In combination with elective module 4 (Cooperation Region: Services of general interest), the spatial situation of rivers, river landscapes and river regions will be systematically assessed in the summer semester 2022.

The Bachelor's seminar allows students a largely self-organized, interactive and practice-oriented work process for the preparation of their individual Bachelor's thesis. The students work as a "peer group" that supports and advises each other in developing questions and writing the thesis.

Students are required to derive and elaborate current and relevant research questions and planning tasks on a selected lake for their individual thesis from the selected problem areas with the support of the peer group and supervisor.

Range of methods

• Desk research and reflection
• Research on site
• Participation in and discussion of events relevant to the topic (see Module 4)
• Interviews with local and regional actors
• Specific methods appropriate to the research question such as document analysis, mapping, storytelling, social design, scenario methods, ...
• Analysis and identification of possible courses of action using text, graphics and plans
• Keeping a research diary 
• Interim and final presentations - Discourse on services of general interest

In addition to the bachelor seminar, we recommend that you also take the elective module 4: Cooperation Region: over~flow. The registration for both courses of the elective module is conducted via the VU Co-Operation and Identification in Regions – dasSein - proposal for Services of generel interests in rural areas

The elaboration of text and graphics/plan has to be carried out according to established scientific rules (e.g. clean short and long citation, gender-appropriate language).

Course in cooperation with landuni Drosendorf

The course sessions will take place in presence mode. Please follow TU Wien regulations. Changes due to the coronavirus pandemic may occur.

• Bachelor's thesis (individual work) documenting the research and analysis results, future perspectives, strategies and measures (in plan, image and text), prepared as a booklet and poster as well as a short technical article on the selected topic. 
• The elaboration in text and graphics / plan must be carried out according to recognized scientific rules (including clean short and long citation, gender-equitable language).
• Attendance and participation in plenary sessions and peer group meetings, interim and final presentation.

Enrollment is conducted through an overall registration (course 280.793).

Participants will automatically be assigned to the TISS couse after expiry of the overall registration.