Curriculum

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Lecture content:

Students gain knowledge of a wide variety of infrastructure systems, for example: Energy infrastructure (energy generation, storage, and distribution), water supply, and wastewater systems, transportation systems, waste treatment and recycling. In addition, essential principles and methods for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure systems in this area are taught.

Learning Outcomes:

In this module, alumni are taught the basics of urban infrastructure systems. The aim is to give the alumni an overview of the different types of infrastructures in an urban environment.

Superior module:

Urban Systems

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Superior module:

City and Society

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Lecture content:

Basic knowledge of professional discourses on ethics and sustainability in the context of health and social affairs, information technologies, engineering, media and design, as well as business and tourism is conveyed with the aim of analyzing, evaluating, arguing and reflecting on relevant contexts and integrating them into one's own future-oriented and responsible options for action.

Learning Outcomes:

Through the basic skills and abilities taught, alumni are able to reflect on projects and content in terms of ethical and sustainable aspects.

Superior module:

Ethics and Science

Module description:

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Architecture and Building Culture

Lecture content:

Examples are used to convey the connection between cultural-historical backgrounds and concrete architectural solutions as well as basic criteria for assessing the cultural significance of buildings (historical, artistic or other cultural significance). Cultural and technical circumstances and conditions of structural transformation (such as change of use and floor plan, appropriate new use, supporting structure, development, energy requirements and thermal refurbishment, lighting) are dealt with by way of example in order to be able to develop the process of iterative optimization in the area of tension between new use and cultural significance in a living building stock. An analysis of a renovation project with regard to one of the following aspects concludes the course: functional transformation, structural-technical transformation, thermal renovation and energy demand, architectural-cultural transformation, transformation of the built environment. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the course, alumni are able to recognize basic connections of cultural backgrounds and architectural examples. Circumstances and boundary conditions of architectural transformation can be classified and explained.

Superior module:

Building in Existing Contexts - Fundamentals

Module description:

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Basics of Urban Planning

Lecture content:

The core of the lecture is the communication of current European tendencies and principles of urban development. In the course of the lecture, the participants are taught the recognition of urban design quality of urban scales such as street space, square, cityscape, quarter, district and city as a whole. In the context of the in-depth exercise, the theoretically learned principles are analytically fed back.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni recognize urban and open space planning as an organizational basis for the optimal design of living spaces and neighborhoods. They understand the meaning of planning and can read and interpret it. They know the importance of defining and designing public spaces.

Superior module:

Neighborhood development - fundamentals

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City in climate change

Lecture content:

In this course, the basic knowledge of urban climate is taught. With the help of simulation and visualization software, urban environmental influences (e.g. heat island effect, air flows, comfort and coziness, noise, particulate matter) are investigated. City models are used to illustrate the effects described.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni are able to understand the importance of urban ecosystems and the significance for neighborhoods and buildings. They will be able to describe the effect of climatic change and its consequences. They acquire basic knowledge of how to apply measures to improve the urban climate and adapt climate change.

Superior module:

Urban Ecology

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Geoinformation Systems and Urban Data Management

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Geoinformatics is the study of the nature and function of spatial information (geoinformation) and its acquisition, storage, analysis, visualization, interpretation and dissemination. It forms the scientific basis for geographic information systems (GIS). The spectrum ranges from the modeling of geo-objects in space to their schematization in databases against the background of typical GIS applications. The aim of the course is to work out those aspects of geoinformation that deserve special attention when embedded in the general environment of information technology. The course covers the development and management of geographic information databases, analysis and modeling of geospatial data, visualization of geospatial data and information, and application of GIS-based tools. The use of geographic information systems enables quantitative and qualitative methods for spatially distributed analysis of interacting processes occurring at different scales. These range from global urban change, to climate change, to local land use decisions. The main focus of the course is the collection and linking of spatially relevant data, with the aim of revealing problems and issues in order to develop data-based solutions.

Learning Outcomes:

The alumni are able to use the elementary specific application possibilities of geoinformation systems (GIS) for their field of activity and know additional possibilities which are given by the use of GIS systems for example in planning processes. The alumni can use the elementary specific application possibilities of geoinformation systems (GIS) for their field of activity and can link these with spatial questions. In this way, they develop possibilities that are given by the use of GIS systems, for example in planning processes.

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Module description:

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Open Space Planning

Lecture content:

Introduction to open space planning in an urban context, historical background, current practice. Basic knowledge as well as methodological approaches on different scale levels (city, neighborhood, object) are taught. This includes planning and design at the neighborhood level and is underpinned by current practical examples. Essential is a differentiated consideration of different approaches and procedures, depending on the goal, the planning level and the problems and size of the area to be addressed. The aim of the course is the knowledge of different open space systems, their different users, accessibility, equipment, design quality, spatial, socio-cultural and ecological effects in urban space.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni recognize urban and open space planning as an organizational basis for the optimal design of living spaces and neighborhoods. They understand the meaning of planning and can read and interpret it. They know the importance of defining and designing public spaces.

Superior module:

Neighborhood development - fundamentals

Module description:

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Revitalization, protection of townscape and architectural monuments

Lecture content:

Based on the different protection goals of townscape protection and structural monument protection, the design, legal, organizational and technical aspects of townscape and monument protection are dealt with and illustrated with examples. On the basis of a self-selected example project of a redevelopment measure in the local image or monument protection, the concrete legal and organizational framework conditions as well as the design and technical solutions are analyzed and described and possible alternatives are shown.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, alumni will be able to explain and differentiate processes and legal frameworks in the protection of sites and monuments as well as to analyze and fundamentally assess simple questions under guidance.

Superior module:

Building in Existing Contexts - Fundamentals

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Spatial Planning

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Participants will learn the basic legal principles of spatial planning and current strategies of Austrian and European cities. The focus is on teaching the Austrian and European legal framework and the associated spatial planning processes such as regional development concept, urban development concept, zoning plans and development plan and building guidelines.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni recognize spatial planning as an organizational basis for the optimal design of living spaces and regions. They understand the significance of zoning plans and development plans and can read and interpret them. They know about the meaning and effects of the plans in the built environment.

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Urban Ecology

Lecture content:

The importance of blue and green infrastructure in the urban environment as a basis for planning is explained to the students. For this purpose, the basic terms of the respective areas are explained in order to enable a fundamental understanding. In addition, the perception regarding the quality of human stay in the city (e.g. emissions, climate, etc.) will be sensitized by city walks. In the course of this, the previously theoretically described infrastructure elements are also considered in their actual form.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni know how green and blue infrastructure can be used in planning as necessary measures to improve the urban climate. They have knowledge of various factors influencing the city and can identify problems arising from urban environmental influences and can accordingly call in experts to develop improvement measures.

Superior module:

Urban Ecology

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Urban Lab

Lecture content:

The Urban Lab is the entry project, which pursues an integral planning approach. Based on a common task that combines the focus areas of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development, and the urban system.

Learning Outcomes:

The project introduces alumni to the topics and problems from the fields of building in existing structures, neighborhood development or urban systems and shows the interconnectedness from each field.

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Change and Transformation

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Within the framework of the courses, the students deal with the topic of the implementation of the sustainability goals in the different levels of society. The course is divided into a theoretical part, which includes how processes can be integrated and implemented in the levels of governance (administration and companies) and citizens (individuals and society). Thereby it will be discussed reflexively how structure - process - result of projects are to be classified. On the basis of projects that have already been implemented in practice, methods and approaches will be discussed that can be directly applied to the students' projects. The course is related to the module Participation and Conflict Resolution Strategies.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni receive an overview of how they should address the various topics of transformation (e.g. from the areas of climate and energy change) in terms of content and argumentation in their studies and professional practice, and how already successful courses of action can be implemented in practice.

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Methods of conflict resolution

Lecture content:

The course provides students with knowledge about different methods for the prevention and resolution of conflicts. By working on different cases, students are prepared for conflict situations in groups and companies, especially in the context of planning processes, and learn about possible solutions for crisis and problem situations.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this module, alumni will be able to use various methods to develop conflict situations or solution strategies. They will be able to recognize how a clearly structured line of argument can be created to solve conflicts, especially in public participation procedures or in project work. You are able to argue in a solution- and benefit-oriented way and to formulate criticism in a factual and constructive way. You are able to accept criticism and to report it back accordingly.

Superior module:

Personal Skills I

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Participation strategies

Lecture content:

Teaching of guidelines for the practical implementation of participation procedures by means of practical exercises within the framework of several block events, in which real projects are carried out. In the process, a simulation game is carried out, which is aligned with a real project. In this course, students learn how to prepare, implement and evaluate various participation procedures. Questions relevant to practice, such as the redensification of developed inner areas, the removal of car parking spaces and similar issues are dealt with.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this module, alumni can choose between different participation methods to moderate processes. They learn methods to develop conflict situations or solution strategies. They recognize the structure and characteristics of citizen participation processes and can take an active role in them. The alumni are able to present complex contents in a target group-oriented way and to develop clearly structured lines of argumentation. They can argue in a solution- and benefit-oriented manner and formulate criticism in a factual and constructive manner. They are able to accept criticism and report it back accordingly.

Superior module:

Personal Skills I

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Real estate business and project development

Lecture content:

This course deals with project development in the context of planning processes. This includes: Basics of investment in real estate, market situation, terms, phases, types of property (residential, commercial, logistics, hotel), profitability, location analyses and market data; market participants (developers, planners, investors, construction companies, property owners, tenants, lessees, operators, brokers, key figures); valuation and financing of real estate (asset value, capitalized earnings value, market value); forms of contract, operator models (PPP, etc.)

Learning Outcomes:

The module focuses on project development for initiation, conception and marketing. You take into account relevant economic and legal framework conditions in their implementation.

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Energy grids & decentralized energy supply

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This module teaches in-depth competencies in the areas of energy infrastructure and urban energy planning. Depending on the selected courses, the students are able to plan and model electrical transmission and distribution networks as well as thermal local and district heating networks in interaction with various energy supply systems and consumer structures. They know about the possible applications of different electrical and thermal supply and storage technologies and can take these into account in the respective models. Furthermore, the integration of district and local heating networks into the overall urban concept is demonstrated under ecological and economic aspects. The use of renewable energy sources in combination as well as possible line losses are analyzed and included in the holistic view. In addition, district and local heating and cooling networks are modeled and balanced, taking into account the integration of renewable technologies. The understanding for the analysis of such load profiles is trained and applied. Decentralized micro-grids as well as low-temperature district heating networks with cascading heat utilization are also modeled.

Learning Outcomes:

The alumni are able to estimate the limits of use of renewable energy sources in urban areas and can develop application-oriented measures to improve their use. They know the essential components of energy planning and can evaluate the different energy sectors (heat, electricity and gas).

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Building in Existing Contexts

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Building in Existing Contexts

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Building in Existing Contexts

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Raw materials and recycling

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Students are taught the importance of mineral and renewable raw materials and their recycling for planning and development within a curricular economy. Special attention is given to classes of raw materials that are important for sustainability transformations, such as raw materials for the 'Energy Transition' or construction raw materials. Methodological and planning approaches such as Life Cycle Assessments, Urban Mining Indicators or Design for Recycling show the students practical possibilities for a careful use of primary and secondary resources.

Learning Outcomes:

Alumni understand the difference and challenges of managing selected raw material groups renewable and mineral raw materials, primary and secondary materials. They understand the principles of different LCAs and design for recycling and can apply them exemplarily.

Superior module:

Raw materials and recycling

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Commission final examination

Lecture content:

This course is designed to prepare students for the final examination. Students will be given sufficient time to prepare for the master's examination.

Learning Outcomes:

The master's thesis demonstrates the alumni' ability to work on a problem from the field of building in the existing stock, neighborhood development and urban systems using scientific methods. They are able to develop, present and document projects independently and to present and critically evaluate the results in an appropriate manner. They are able to argue and justify the approach scientifically.

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Master thesis

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International Excursion

Lecture content:

The aim of the study excursion is to deepen the students' knowledge in the field of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development or urban systems and to supplement it with application-specific aspects. The excursion to a specific field provides exemplary insights into the concrete design of new and innovative conditions and environments. Students learn to understand and reflect on innovative approaches in the field of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development or urban systems.

Learning Outcomes:

Through the intensive study of examples of existing buildings, neighborhood development or urban systems, the alumni deepen their knowledge and skills from the previously held relevant modules. Due to the international character of the excursion, the language skills of the alumni are additionally trained.

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International projects

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Master thesis

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Development and independent processing of questions and content-related analysis of a subject-relevant topic (core subject areas are the specializations from the areas of building in existing structures, neighborhood development and urban systems) with special consideration of the innovation potential of the targeted solutions, taking into account a scientifically structured and argued at the current state of the literature.

Learning Outcomes:

The master's thesis demonstrates the student's ability to work on a problem from the field of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development and urban systems using scientific methods. They are able to develop, present and document projects independently and to present and critically evaluate the results in an appropriate manner. They are able to argue and justify their approach scientifically.

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Master thesis

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Free elective

Lecture content:

The students are familiar with specific topics in the field of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development or urban systems, but also with specialized topics in related fields and can successfully apply this knowledge to specific questions in the course of study and the final thesis.

Learning Outcomes:

The alumni are familiar with specific topics in the field of building in the existing fabric, neighborhood development or urban systems, but also with specialized topics in related fields and can successfully apply this knowledge to specific questions in the course of study and the final thesis.

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