The project “Planning in Germany and Iran: Responding Challenges of Climate Change through Intercultural Dialogue” is a DAAD funded research project between the School of Spatial Planning at TU Dortmund University and Daneshpajoohan Pishro Higher Education Institue (DHEI) of Esfahan, Iran.

Understanding the future challenges of climate changes and the adaptation measures taken in both countries as well as the urban and rural cultural and natural heritage at the local and regional levels and linking them with the historical contexts are the focus of the project’s three years time frame 2019-2021.
Built on the experience of the project's first year in 2019, the second and third years are intended to target modernization of teaching, promotion of skill development of young academics, identification of teaching and research areas of shared scientific interest, and establishment of networks and cooperation regionally and internationally. The major project activities designed to achieve these objectives include organization of development meetings, spring workshops and winter schools to stimulate dialog and exchange, training on modern approaches in teaching and research methodology, conceptualization and organization of seminars jointly developed by the involved lecturers of partner universities, and annual conferences, including reflection meetings and discussion rounds about possible future cooperations.

Dialogue and exchange are based on two breakthrough topics: ‘climate change challenges and the protection and adaptation measures needed in both countries’ and ‘cross-cultural perception of urban and rural landscape and cultural heritage’. Rather than narrowing down the scope, the topics will act as entry point for dialog and exchange on which a shared understanding and collaboration relationship will be developed.
The project tackles climate change and natural and cultural landscape issues of universal importance for mankind and therefore aiming at developing common understanding beyond national, ideological, or religious differences. These topics also allow the application of interdisciplinary and participatory approaches and thus involving different societal groups in the intercultural dialogue activities.

Project Leader
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietwald Gruehn
E-Mail dietwald.gruehn(at)tu-dortmund.de

Project Coordinator
Dr.-Ing. Mais Jafari
E-Mail mais.jafari(at)tu-dortmund.de

Contact
Dr.-Ing. Mais Jafari
E-Mail mais.jafari(at)tu-dortmund.de

Sponsor
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

DAAD Program
Higher Education Dialogue with the Muslim World

Partner Uiversity
Daneshpajoohan Pishro Higher Education Institue (DHEI) of Esfahan, Iran