(in Polish) The future of land use
2600-TFL-GC-2-S2
Course Overview:
The course on “The Future of Land Use” is a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic field of land use planning and management. This course is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of how land resources will be allocated, developed, and conserved in the coming years. It addresses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing land use professionals and policymakers as they strive to create sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities and environments.
Course Objectives:
1-Understanding Emerging Trends: The course begins by examining current and emerging trends in land use, ranging from urbanization and suburban sprawl to shifts in agricultural practices and innovative conservation efforts. Students will gain insight into the factors driving these trends and their implications for society and the environment.
2- Environmental Impact Assessment: Through a series of case studies and assessments, students will delve into the environmental consequences of various land use practices. Topics include climate change, habitat loss, water quality, and the role of land use in mitigating or exacerbating these challenges.
3-Urban Planning and Development: This segment of the course explores the intricacies of urbanization, zoning regulations, and the transformation of cities to accommodate growing populations, technological advancements, and evolving economic landscapes. Students will examine how urban design can shape the future of communities.
4-Rural and Agricultural Land Use: Students will gain an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities associated with rural and agricultural land use. This includes discussions on sustainable farming practices, food security, rural development, and the role of agriculture in a rapidly changing world.
5-Environmental Conservation and Preservation: The course delves into strategies and policies for preserving natural landscapes, protecting endangered species, and maintaining biodiversity. Students will explore the ethical and ecological dimensions of conservation efforts.
6-Policy and Regulation: Students will analyze the crucial role of government policies, zoning laws, and land use planning in shaping the physical and social fabric of regions. They will also examine how these policies may evolve in response to shifting societal needs and priorities.
7-Socio-Cultural Factors: The course investigates the influence of social and cultural factors on land use decisions. Topics include housing trends, community development, cultural heritage preservation, and the role of indigenous knowledge and rights in land management.
8-Sustainability and Resilience: Students will evaluate the concepts of sustainability and resilience in land use planning. They will explore strategies to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, climate change impacts, and other disruptive forces while promoting long-term environmental and societal health.
9-Interdisciplinary Perspective: Recognizing that land use is inherently multidisciplinary, students will explore how experts from diverse fields, such as geography, ecology, economics, and sociology, collaborate to address complex land use challenges.
10-Scenario Planning: The course challenges students to think critically about the future by using potential scenarios in land use. Drawing from demographic, economic, and environmental trends, students will develop scenario planning skills to envision and prepare for alternative land use futures.
Total student workload
Total student workload:
Contact hours with teacher:
- participation in lectures - 15 hrs
- participation in seminar - 25 hrs
- consultations - 5 hrs
Self-study hours:
- preparation for lectures - 5 hrs
- reading literature- 5 hrs
- preparation for final presentastion - 20 hrs
- preparation for seminar - 45 hrs
Altogether: 120 hrs (4 ECTS)
Learning outcomes - knowledge
W1-Future Understanding of Land Use Trends: Students will gain knowledge about future current and emerging trends in land use, including urbanization, suburban sprawl, agricultural changes, and environmental conservation efforts.
W2-Future Environmental Impact Assessment: Students will learn how different land use practices will impact the environment, including future topics like deforestation, habitat loss, water quality, and climate change.
W3-Future Urban Planning and Development: Students will understand the principles of urban planning, zoning regulations, and how cities will evolve to accommodate future growing populations and changing needs.
W4-Future Rural and Agricultural Land Use: Students will have knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in rural and agricultural land use, including future sustainable farming practices, food security, and rural development.
W5-Future Environmental Conservation and Preservation: Students will learn about future strategies and policies for preserving natural landscapes, protecting endangered species, and maintaining biodiversity.
W6-Future Social and Cultural Factors: Students will explore how future social and cultural factors will shape land use decisions, including issues related to housing, community development, and cultural heritage preservation.
W7-Future Sustainability and Resilience: Students will evaluate the concepts of sustainability and resilience in future land use planning, including strategies for reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change.
W8-Future Policy and Regulation: Students will understand the role of government policies, regulations, and zoning laws in shaping future land use patterns, and how these policies may change in response to evolving needs and priorities.
W9-Future Interdisciplinary Perspective: Students will recognize that land use is a complex, interdisciplinary field that will require collaboration among experts from various backgrounds, such as geography, ecology, economics, and sociology.
W10-Future Trends and Scenario Planning: Students will anticipate potential future scenarios in land use based on demographic, economic, and environmental trends.
Learning outcomes - skills
U1-Analytical Skills: Students will develop the ability to analyze complex land use data, trends, and scenarios, enabling them to make informed decisions and recommendations.
U2-Critical Thinking: Students will enhance their critical thinking skills by evaluating the economic, environmental, and social implications of different land use practices and policies.
U3-Problem-Solving: Through case studies and practical exercises, students will practice problem-solving skills to address real-world land use challenges and propose viable solutions.
U4-Research Skills: Students will learn how to gather and synthesize information from various sources, including academic literature, government reports, and geographic information systems (GIS).
U5-Communication Skills: Students will develop effective communication skills for presenting their findings and ideas through written reports, presentations, and data visualization.
U6-Collaboration: Through group projects and interdisciplinary discussions, students will improve their collaboration skills, working with peers from diverse backgrounds to address complex land use issues.
U7-Policy Analysis: Students will learn how to assess the impact of land use policies and regulations on communities and ecosystems, and how to recommend policy changes when necessary.
U8-Scenario Planning: Students will practice scenario planning techniques to anticipate and prepare for future land use challenges and opportunities.
U9-Ethical Decision-Making: Students will explore ethical considerations related to land use, including issues of environmental justice, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, and develop the ability to make ethically sound decisions.
U10-Interdisciplinary Integration: Students will integrate knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines, such as geography, ecology, economics, and sociology, to address complex land use issues.
U11-Data Interpretation: Students will become proficient in interpreting and drawing conclusions from land use data, including demographic trends, economic indicators, and environmental metrics.
U12-Public Engagement: Students may learn strategies for engaging with the public and stakeholders to gather input and build consensus around land use decisions.
U13-Adaptive Management: Students may develop skills in adaptive management, allowing them to adjust land use strategies based on changing conditions and feedback.
Learning outcomes - social competencies
K1-Effective Communication: Students will enhance their ability to communicate and engage in productive discussions with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, community members, environmental activists, and industry representatives, to facilitate informed decision-making.
K2-Collaboration and Teamwork: Through group projects and collaborative exercises, students will develop the skills to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in addressing complex land use challenges.
K3-Conflict Resolution: Students will learn how to identify and address conflicts that may arise in land use planning and development, applying conflict resolution strategies to find mutually acceptable solutions.
K4-Stakeholder Engagement: Students will gain experience in engaging and building relationships with various stakeholders, including local communities, indigenous groups, and advocacy organizations, to ensure that land use decisions align with societal values and needs.
K5-Cultural Competence: Students will cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of considering cultural factors in land use decisions, especially in relation to indigenous land rights and cultural heritage preservation.
K6-Ethical Decision-Making: Students will explore the ethical dimensions of land use choices, understanding how their decisions impact different communities and ecosystems, and making choices aligned with ethical principles.
K7-Leadership: Students may have opportunities to develop leadership skills by taking on roles within group projects, engaging in community outreach, or participating in public forums related to land use issues.
K8-Community Engagement: Students will learn how to engage with local communities and involve them in the land use planning process, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among community members.
K9-Advocacy and Public Awareness: Students may learn how to advocate for sustainable and responsible land use practices, raising public awareness and mobilizing support for environmentally and socially responsible policies.
K10-Listening Skills: Students will enhance their active listening skills, allowing them to better understand and address the concerns and perspectives of various stakeholders.
K11-Negotiation Skills: Students will develop negotiation skills to navigate competing interests and find compromises that benefit multiple parties involved in land use decisions.
K12-Empathy: Students will cultivate empathy by considering the impact of land use decisions on people and communities, especially those who may be disproportionately affected by such decisions.
K13-Adaptability: Students will learn to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to different situations and audiences, recognizing that effective engagement may require different approaches.
K14-Public Speaking: Students may have opportunities to improve their public speaking skills, enabling them to convey their ideas and findings confidently in public forums and presentations.
Teaching methods
- presentation, video / computer, pointer, banners image
Observation/demonstration teaching methods
- display
Expository teaching methods
- informative (conventional) lecture
Exploratory teaching methods
- panel
- presentation of a paper
- seminar
Type of course
compulsory course
Prerequisites
None
Course coordinators
Assessment criteria
Lectures:
Oral presentation
seminar:
Activities
presentations
Assessment criteria:
Lectures:
presentation content - 3 points
slide presentation - 1 point
presentation – 1 point
seminar:
Active participation in discussions– 2 points
presentation – 3 points
fail- 2 pts (40%)
satisfactory- 3 pts (60%)
satisfactory plus- 3.5 pts (70%)
good - 4 pts (80%)
good plus- 4.5 pts (90 %)
very good- 5 pts (100 %)
Practical placement
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: