After successful completion of the course, students are able to deal in depth with complex planning problems, uncertainties and risks and engage in constructive dialogue with colleagues from other disciplines.
The focus is on a long-term integrated spatial development concept for the trans-Danubian districts of Vienna (municipal districts 21 and 22), including critical appraisal of the planned yet controversial high-capacity road link across the Danube that forms part of the so-called Regional Orbital Motorway ("Lobau Tunnel"). The work mainly consists in elaboration and critical assessment of robust accompanying measures that will contribute to the sustainable development of the region, whether or not the road link is built.
In terms of methodology, the emphasis is on analysis of complex problems, fact-finding and clarification processes in spatial planning, drafting of spatial plans, interdisciplinary and interregional group work and elaboration of strategies to address topical urban and regional development issues, accompanied by critical analysis of planning practice. The course is organised in collaboration with the MAS Programme in Spatial Planning at ETH Zürich.
Active engagement and constructive dialogue; writing of a seminar report based on critical reflection and analysis.