LAWI301528 Sustainable spatial development and energy transition

Type
Lecture and seminar
Semester hours
4
Lecturer (assistant)
Seher, Walter , Jiricka-Pürrer, Alexandra
Organisation
Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

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

The lecture part provides relevant introductory inputs for the seminar and focuses on the following topics:
- Spatial structures and spatial planning - an introduction
- Instruments of local land use planning
- Local land use planning in natural hazard management and climate change adaptation
- The relevance of planning nature based solutions for climate change adaptation
- Energy planning at diverse planning scopes and scales - consideration of conflicts and natural resources
- The role of sustainable spatial planning for biodiversity conservation and enhancement

The seminar part comprises a group exercise based on literature and document research and on an analysis of spatial structures in a case-study area to be selected by the student group. For the topic of the group exercise students can choose between:
- Spatial integration of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation (heat waves or heavy rainfall or surface water runoff or floods)
- Spatial integration of renewable energy sources (wind energy, photovoltaics)
Previous knowledge expected

Course for master students or PhD-students! Basic knowledge of spatial planning is useful.
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.

- have gained knowledge on sustainability challenges in spatial development and spatial development strategies regarding energy transition and climate change adaptation. 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 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. 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 or for renewable energy sources.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.