Foundational Issues in City and Regional Planning (BYG905)
The course is a seminar-based course providing an introduction to smart cities as an interdisciplinary research field.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
BYG905
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Spring, Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring, Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
The course is a seminar-based course providing an introduction to smart cities as an interdisciplinary research field. By the end of the course, students should prepare a manuscript, which can be developed further into an article, book chapter or conference paper. These manuscripts can be developed collaboratively or individually.
Seminars: The seminar consists of lecture sessions that cover smart city concepts and appraoches through different theoretical and disciplinary perspectives, such as (but not limited to):
Introduction to inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary research
Policy & governance
Wireless communication networks
Built environment
Transport and mobility
Green Infrastructure
Safety and Security
Participation
Children/childhood
PhD students and supervisors prepare lectures, find relevant literature, and lead related discussions. Each seminar is following by a reflection session.
Writing workshops The writing workshops are intended to guide the students in developing their manuscript either individually or jointly with another PhD student. The workshops will be structures as follows:
Identifying an interdisciplinary research question
Developing the outline, theory and methodology
Fundamentals of article writing
Feedback on draft
The writing workshops are based on short lectures and peer discussions and feedback.
Final assignment: The final assignment should address interdisciplinary perspectives on a smart city related topic. The final manuscript should be at least 5000 words excluding footnotes and references.
Learning outcome
The student is able to reflect on smart city as a concept or series of concepts and make connections to various dimensions of sustainability, local and global
The student is able to position their own work and research in relation to the (dominant) smart city discourses/theories in circulation
The students gains insight into theoretical, conceptual and methodological perspectives on the smart city from different disciplines
The student can contribute to the development of interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary concepts, methodologies and/or tools for smart city research within their own field
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written assignment | 1/1 | Passed / Not Passed | All |
The student will be assessed on the quality of the written assignment (e.g., paper draft). The assignment is assigned at the beginning of the course and submitted at the end. This is a pass/fail course.No re-sit opportunities are offered for the assignment. Students who do not pass this assignment can retake it the next time the course is held.
Coursework requirements
Active participation in class
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Daniela Müller-EieHead of Department:
Tore MarkesetMethod of work
The seminar course consists of lecture sessions, reflections/discussion sessions, writing workshops, and a final paper submission.
Open for
Admission requirements