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Spatial Planning and Development
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:14
Abstract
The course deals with important theoretical, material and methodical foundations for action and decision-making of spatial relevance. This course discusses central tasks and possible solutions for current and future challenges of spatial development in Switzerland and Europe.
Objective
Spatial development deals with the development, formation and arrangement of our environment. In order to be able to mediate between the different demands, interests and projects of multiple actors, a forward-looking, action-oriented and robust planning is necessary. It is committed - in the sense of a sustainable spatial development - to the economical handling of resources, in particular of the non-replicable resource soil. The lecture introduces necessary basic knowledge and is based on the following main topics: – Inward development and challenges of spatial transformation – Planning approaches and The (political) steering of spatial development – Interplay of formal and informal processes and processes across different scales of spatial development – Methods of action-oriented planning in situations of insecurity – Integrated space and infrastructure development – Different types of participation in spatial development By taking up the lecture, the students are able to recognize cross-scale, complex tasks of spatial development and transformation and to use their theoretical, methodical and professional knowledge to clarify them.
Content
- Planning approaches and political organization in Switzerland - Tasks of spatial relevance - Key figures and ratios - Drivers of spatial development - Steering spatial development I: Policy - Steering spatial development II : Formal and informal instruments - Organizing spatial development I: Governance - Organizing spatial development II: Processes and organization - Methods in spatial planning I - Methods in spatial planning II - Planning in complex situations - Participation in spatial development - Present and future core tasks of spatial development
Resources
Lecture Notes
Further information and the documents for the lecture can be found on Moodlehttps://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=18389
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- Simple calculator
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Spatial Planning and Development
Remark: Former title Introduction to Spatial Development and Transformation.
|
|
2 h weekly |