LAWI301501 Project in landscape planning

Type
Project course
Semester hours
6
Lecturer (assistant)
Friesenecker, Michael
Organisation
Landscape Planning
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Englisch, Deutsch
Content

The project topic for the summer term of 2026 will be an assessment of socio-environmental inequalities in the context of the climate crisis. Taking a spatio-temporal perspective, it will primarily examine changes in heat and air quality in relation to shifting social and spatial inequalities.

During the first part of the seminar, we will develop an understanding of the concepts and measures of environmental inequalities, ranging from the spatial distribution of environmental resources and pollutants to social inequalities such as vulnerability, poverty, education and migration, and their intersections. We will also explore socio-spatial inequalities, such as environmental segregation, and spatio-temporal processes like green gentrification.

In the second part, students will be guided in deepening their understanding of one of these topics by applying quantitative analysis. This will involve preparing the data, becoming familiar with it through descriptive methods, performing spatial statistical analysis (e.g. via indices or regressions) and visualising and mapping the results.

We will cover these topics through presentations, reading exercises, literature reviews and guided application of methods in computer room classes. However, the seminar also encourages students to apply the proposed concepts and methods independently, with support provided through reflection and individual coaching. The main outcome of the course will be an individual project report.
Previous knowledge expected

A general interest in learning quantitative techniques and statistical software (e.g. R, Excel) and GIS (e.g. QGIS) is required. Basic skills in these software packages would be advantageous.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Upon completion, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a solid understanding of the conceptual and analytical tools used to analyse environmental inequalities quantitatively
- gather and prepare data from open data repositories and other administrative data providers
- apply basic quantitative methods, ranging from simple indices to more exploratory and explanatory statistical methods.
- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative spatial statistical methods.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.