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Mediation in Environmental Planning: Theory and Case Studies
Mediationsverfahren in der Umweltplanung: Grundlagen und Anwendungen
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:08:08
Abstract
This course is intended to demonstrate how environmental decisions can be optimized and conflicts better dealt by using mediation. Case studies will focus on construction of windmills for electricity purpose, landfills, sustainable city-planning or Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence.
Objective
- Develop comprehension of legal and social responses to environmental conflicts - Recognize the most important participative techniques and their ranges - Develop concepts for doing and evaluating mediation processes - Estimate the potential and limitations of cooperative environmental planning - Train communicative skills (film, presentation, moderation, discussion design, negotiation), especially by participating at a mediation
Content
To this end, we will look at the most important techniques of mediation and put them into the context of today's legislation, participation and conflict culture. The potential and limitations of the individual techniques will be discussed using current Swiss and international case studies, namely in the field of windenergy as well of landfills and Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence (wolves, bears, elephants). Students can do conflict analyses, for instance, as part of individual and group analyses and a half-day mediation-simulation, develop technique concepts and train their own communicative and negotiation skills.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A reader will be handed out.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , DS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Mediationsverfahren in der Umweltplanung: Grundlagen und Anwendungen
Blockkurs: 9.-11.9.2026 (3 Tage), jeweils 10h bis 18h
zusätzlich: 30.9.2026 14h bis 18h
|
No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses.)
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