LAWI301528 Sustainable spatial development and energy transition

Type
Lecture and seminar
Semester hours
4
Lecturer (assistant)
Seher, Walter , Stöglehner, Gernot , Jiricka-Pürrer, Alexandra
Organisation
Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement
Offered in
Wintersemester 2025/26
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The course consists of a lecture part and a seminar part. This years seminar focuses on spatial planning and land policy to support climate change adaptation and energy transition.


The lecture part provides relevant introductory inputs for the seminar and focuses on the following topics:

- Sustainability challenges in sustainable spatial development

- Brief introduction to the Austrian spatial planning system

- Urban redevelopment strategies - examples from Austria

- Sustainable spatial development regarding energy transition

- Land policy - concept and instruments

- Spatial planning and land policy in climate change adaptation


The seminar part comprises a group exercise based on literature and document research and on an analysis of spatial (and property) structures in a selected case-study area. For the group exercise students can choose between three different topics:
- Spatial integration of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation (heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods), with an optional focus on land policy
- Spatial integration of renewable energy sources (wind energy, photovoltaics)
- Analysing and developing energy-efficient spatial structures
Previous knowledge expected

Course for master students or PhD-students! Knowledge of the courses "Spatial Planning" (Lecture) and "Projects in Spatial Planning" (Project work) is very recommended.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

After successful completion of the module, students:

- have gained a systematic overview on values and objectives of sustainable spatial development. They know about spatial requirements of energy transition and climate change adaptation as well as respective strategies and instruments of spatial planning and land policy.

- have gained knowledge on sustainability challenges in spatial development, spatial development strategies regarding energy transition and climate change adaptation as well as concepts and instruments of land policy. They are able to reflect the contributions of spatial planning and land policy instruments to energy transition and climate change adaptation.

- have gained skills in assessing potentials and restrictions of spatial planning and land policy with regard to climate change adaptation and energy transition.

- are able to critically read and reflect scientific papers and planning documents and to analyse strategies and instruments of spatial planning and land policy. They have improved their skills in writing project reports and in providing feedback and arguments on the above-mentioned strategies and instruments.

- have consolidated their ability to independently study scientific literature and expand their skills in the evaluation of scientific readings.

- are able to connect scientific literature with planning practice by developing analysis criteria and planning principles

- are able to develop a case-study based planning strategy for nature-based solutions in climate change adaptation / renewable energy sources / measures to enhance energy-efficiency of spatial structures.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.