Environmental Planning in an International Context (B.Sc.)

Learning objectives/learning content

Environmental problems, which we are increasingly experiencing in the course of climate change and beyond, do not stop at city, state or continental borders. Examples include rising sea levels, air pollution, heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall events. In order to successfully cope with such challenges, it is crucial to know and understand the environmental and landscape planning systems involved - not least in view of the increasing importance of international cooperation.

In the course of the lecture seminar, we will deal with different formal and informal environmental planning instruments from various countries around the world. Different scales (local/supra-local/national) or thematic orientations of plans and policies (e.g. climate protection planning, environmental assessments, water management plans) can be focused on and discussed. The aim of the lecture seminar is to develop an understanding of the effectiveness and integration of environmental concerns in decision-making processes in the spatial planning context in different countries and planning systems.

In the first part of the course, input on environmental planning in general as well as examples for later work on a specific topic will be given. As an example, the (environmental) planning system of the USA will be presented in order to look at a sub-aspect(wildfire management). This is followed by the seminar part, for which the students give short presentations on topics previously formulated in writing.

The contents and competencies listed in the module handbook (conveyed via all elements of the module) are relevant for the examination; the examinees can make suggestions for examination focuses.