Urban Ecological Planning in Diverse Cultures

The course will elaborate on theories of urban ecology relevant for urban ecological planning (UEP). The main focus of the course will be to approach and assess various theoretical approaches to the value base of UEP. First UEP will be placed in the critical context of development with focus on entitlement, vulnerability and livelihood approaches to understand poverty. Secondly, the main focus is on "another development"strategy based on territorialism, and its strength in local institutions, resources and land rights as conditions for endogenous development. Traditional values related to ethno-development are being challenged in a pluralistic society, and the framework is brought together within eco-development. An overall sustainability assessment, based on territorial strengths and sound ethno-development conditions and an eco-developmental framework, is concerned about the relationships between people, their social and resource capital, understanding a contextual, and territorial base, and settlement nature relations. Finally, urban cultural heritage conservation is used to illustrate results of diversity in approaches to authenticity and the culturally determined values.

Knowledge:Contribute to a deeper understanding of the theories and value base underpinning urban ecological planning in different cultural and material contexts.
Skills:Being able to articulate and, by linking theories to one's own experience and master thesis.
General competence: Reflection on one's own role as a planner given the present political economic situation of the world and the conesequent issues of concern.

Lectures, seminars, interactive discussions and group work. At the end of the semester an essay is required as the main basis for evaluation.