Contemporary Urban Developments 2800-CUD-USS-1-S1

Contemporary Urban Developments is an introduction focusing on urbanization processes, urban life in Europe, its challenges and proposed solutions. Lectures address main themes on:
• Urbanisation theories & approaches;
• Adapting cities to climate change;
• Heritage futures in contemporary cities
• Sustainable urban mobility
• Socially inclusive public spaces
• Housing and mixed use development
• Smart Cities
• Urban/rural relations
• Urban systems in developing world cities

with examples of European cities, often cutting across geographical boundaries to deal with transnational themes, exchanges, and dependencies.

Online course with audiovisual presented case study about the broader theme.

A specific case of a contemporary evolution or development is presented in the form of a mini-documentary (e.g., 10 minutes), ideally giving students an impression of the urban environment of the university's city.

The academic context for the case is provided through online lectures. The leading university delivers a 2-hour lecture, while supporting lectures from other universities each last 30-45 minutes.
For each lecture, written course materials are provided, and for each module, a representative scientific publication is added to the study materials. This publication illustrates the practice of science, emphasizing general aspects such as the structure of a scientific article and the data collection techniques used. The content of the article itself is not part of the course's learning objectives; instead, students receive clear instructions about what they should understand from the article.

Students receive an assignment to find a similar example of one of the presented cases in their own city, create a short photo collection or video about it, and relate it to the content of the lectures and/or course material through a short written comment. Students are assigned to interuniversity groups in which they comment on the input from other students, preferably during an online live session.

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: - participation in opening lecture – 1 hr - 9 thematic pre-recorded lectures – 27 hrs - one mini conference at the end of lectures – 2 hrs - consultations – 5 hrs Self-study hours: - preparation for lectures - 30 hrs - writing essay/collectting photo documentation - 15 hrs - reading literature- 50 hrs - preparation for final test- 20 hrs Altogether: 150 hrs (6 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W1: Knows the contemporary theories related to sustainable development in cities K_W01 W2: Be able to describe examples in the own urban environment of contemporary urban evolutions in the other YUFE cities K_W01 W3: be able to compare urban developments on a certain theme in different cities and to make connections with the context K_W01

Learning outcomes - skills

U1: Be able to illustrate the diversity of urban environments and recent developments in the YUFE countries and cities K_U01, K_U03, K_U04, K_U06 U2: Be able to provide constructive feedback on a contribution from fellow students K_U05

Learning outcomes - social competencies

K1: Evaluates the impact of solutions in various areas of life on shaping urban areas in a sustainable way K_K01 K2: Shows intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, proposes new solutions, carrying out tasks K_K02 K3: Is willing to deepen their knowledge, as long as it is needed to solve diagnosed problems K_K03

Course coordinators

Michał Kwiatkowski

Teaching methods

Expository teaching methods: - participatory lecture Exploratory teaching methods: - project work - presentation of the work results, discussion

Type of course

compulsory course

Assessment criteria

One photo-assignment related to a crisis or response + short essay (1-2 pages).
One mini-conference (digital, +/- 2 hours) at the end of the semester where all students and teachers. Students will present and discuss their work in parallel sessions moderated by a teacher per theme. Afterwards, the students can ask questions related to the course or the exam.
The examination will be in written form.

- activity during classes (W1, W2, W3, U1, U2)
- tasks prepared for the classes (U1, U2, K1, K2, K3)
- final test (W1, W2, W3, U1)

Practical placement

Not applicable

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2800-CUD-USS-1-S1 in USOSweb