Students are able to understand, address and communicate basic geographical contexts and problems in the excursion area. Characteristic features of the city of Hamburg and its surroundings can be categorized from human and physical-geographical perspectives. Current geographical challenges and possible solutions are analyzed.

Students will gain insights into current conflicts of use and challenges in dealing with urban biodiversity - for example in the context of the design and use of green spaces, the integration of biodiversity into urban planning and the tension between safety, recreation and nature conservation.

The course also pursues specific subject-related and methodological objectives with a focus on wildlife in the city:

• Acquisition of regional geographic knowledge about urban structures of Hamburg, in particular on urban development and urban and landscape ecology.
• Deepening ecological and social perspectives on human-wildlife relationships in urban areas.
• Insight into the work with various stakeholders from wildlife management, e.g. wildlife rescue centers, city administration, nature conservation associations, city hunters
• Acquire the ability to critically discuss current planning and nature conservation approaches, especially in the context of the coexistence of humans and wildlife
• Transfer theoretical knowledge from the seminar to the example of the city of Hamburg and its surroundings
•  Practice and application of scientific presentation methods

The seminar will focus on wildlife in the city. The excursion will deal with different geographical topics of the city of Hamburg and its surroundings (human- and physical-geographical) and give a diverse overview of the Hanseatic city. The topics of the seminar (urban wildlife) will be an additional focus of the excursion. These are in particular 

• Urban nature and species conservation and environmental conflicts in Hamburg
• Human-wildlife relationships in the big city: return of the beaver, occurrence of non-native nutrias, symbolism of the Alster swans
• Urban development and ecological transformation (e.g. Green Network Hamburg)
• Overview of various urban green spaces and their use by humans and wildlife (e.g. “Planten & Blomen”)
• Viewpoints of different stakeholders from green space and wildlife management and their approaches to dealing with urban wildlife with regard to social perspectives on urban biodiversity and “urban wilderness”.
   

Seminar: Wednesdays 4-6 pm (weekly) IA 1/117 - Simon Mösch
Field trip: March 9-15, 2026 - Simon Mösch & Valentin Klaus

For introduction: Westphalen, J., & Grospitz, T. (Produzenten). (2010). Wildes Hamburg – Tiere in der Stadt [TV-Dokumentation]. ARD. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT_r897CzlQ

Ineichen, S., Klausnitzer, B., & Ruckstuhl, M. (2012). Stadtfauna: 600 Tierarten unserer Städte). Bern, Switzerland: Haupt Verlag.

Landwehr, F. (2024). Moin Biber- Der Podcast. https://www.moin-biber.de/podcast

Moesch, S. S., Jeschke, J. M., Lokatis, S., Peerenboom, G., Kramer‐Schadt, S., Straka, T. M., & Haase, D. (2024). The frequent five: Insights from interviews with urban wildlife professionals in Germany. People and Nature, 6(5), 2091-2108.

Lectures, the excursion itself and field trips address fundamental geographical contexts and problems and teach them directly on site. The day tours to be worked out and carried out under supervision offer the opportunity to try out one's own actions in a leadership position and to reflect on them through comprehensive feedback. The competences acquired in this way can be used professionally, e.g. in the field of science, project planning but also in teaching activities at school.

Further aims of the course:
To sharpen the view and critically question the environment, to scientifically understand the characteristics, processes and background of the earth's body, to work on content-related issues - partly in a team - and to prepare them in such a way that they can be summarised in an understandable and technically sound manner. The topics dealt with should be presented creatively, predominantly visually and digitally.

The excursion will focus on physical geographical topics. Geology, volcanism, speleology as well as meteorological and climatological phenomena of the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains and especially the Colorado Plateau will be the main topics, but fauna and flora as well as indigenous settlement and way of life will also provide interesting points of investigation for the excursion participants.our journey begins with a flight to Denver, the capital of Colorado - the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. From there we head south to the Great Sand Dunes, where the highest dunes in North America rise up against the panorama of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

We continue along the geologically fascinating Rio Grande Rift with a detour to the Capulin Volcano in New Mexico - an almost perfectly formed cinder cone that was last active around 60,000 years ago.

On the way to Carlsbad Caverns, we make a short stop in Roswell - famous for the alleged UFO event of 1947 - where you can visit the International UFO Museum and immerse yourself in the world of extraterrestrial speculation.

From there we head further south to the Carlsbad Caverns, a cave system of superlatives: huge halls, impressive stalactite formations and an atmosphere that lies somewhere between geology and mysticism.

From there, our route continues to Texas and the Guadalupe Mountains, whose limestone massif was once a coral reef - a geological window into the past of the Permian period. We then return to New Mexico to explore the snow-white gypsum dunes of White Sands - a surreal-looking landscape that glows white as snow in the sunlight.

From here, we continue our journey northwards and finally reach Flagstaff in Arizona. The surrounding area is characterised by volcanic activity, including the impressive Sunset Crater. On the way there, we visit the Meteor Crater - one of the best-preserved impact craters on earth - as well as petrified forests in which primeval trees have been transformed into dazzling minerals.

From here, the character of the excursion changes significantly: we enter the grandiose world of the Colorado Plateau, a landscape of colourful sedimentary layers eroded over millions of years. The legendary Monument Valley, backdrop to countless films, takes us right into the heart of this iconic rocky world.

Further north in Utah, the bright red and yellow sandstone landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks await us - with natural stone arches, mighty rock plateaus and deeply carved canyons that will make the hearts of all those interested in geomorphology beat faster, but even those less interested will be thrilled to take photos.

Finally, we cross the mighty Rocky Mountains to the east and reach the dramatically carved Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which marks a final scenic highlight with its dark, almost vertical walls. From there we head back to Denver, where our excursion ends - hopefully with a head full of impressions and stories.

Important:

It is planned to spend most of the nights (in good weather and temperatures >-5°C) on simple campsites in the national parks, as well as a hike with luggage and overnight stay in the wilderness (optional). Overnight stays in motels are planned in case of bad weather and low temperatures.

The most important prerequisites for successful participation are personal commitment and the willingness to actively help shape the excursion programme (day leader). As we will occasionally be at altitudes of up to 2500 metres above sea level, the excursion is not suitable for people who have proven health problems at these altitudes. Anyone who needs a shower or a launderette every day and has to eat a hot meal every lunchtime should also not choose this excursion!

The excursion is aimed at students of all study programmes, but is predominantly physically and geographically oriented. Participation in the excursion is linked to attendance of a preparatory seminar on regional studies of the USA.

Entry:

To ensure that you can enter the USA without any problems, I will draw up official letters stating that you are travelling to the USA as part of a course at a German university and that you do not intend to work in the USA. This should ensure that you enter the country without any problems.

Equipment:

Hiking boots, warm clothing, tent, a warm sleeping bag with sleeping mat, weatherproof jacket and overtrousers should be available or must be purchased. A rucksack can be borrowed from the institute. In Denver, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and cookers can also be rented from REI (rei.com).

Further information about the excursion programme, costs and personal requirements will be provided at the information event.

Costs:

Depending on the number of participants and the dollar exchange rate, the estimated cost of the excursion is approximately €1260 to €1380, excluding flights and meals. The costs include: Car hire, petrol, accommodation (hotel and campsite), various entrance fees.

Flight bookings are made individually by the participating students.

For further questions please contact: andreas.pflitsch@rub.de

Immediately after the allocation of places, there will be a compulsory preliminary meeting with further information. Please check your emails at the address you provided when you made your choice. The date will be searched for and fixed by Doodle poll.

In October the lecture topics will be assigned, on FR/SA 09/10 January 2026 the preparatory seminar will be held on a weekend at the RUB.

This will be followed by the excursion in March

The follow-up is planned for the summer semester 2026 by arrangement, then the remaining lectures will be held.

Will be announced during the course.

• Content preparation for the major excursion “Strategic water-related urban and spatial planning in Brazil: Nísia Floresta and São Leopoldo”
• Teaching basic knowledge of the country and geography of Brazil
• Teaching the planning culture, financing and promotion of large-scale projects in Brazil
• Embedding the topic of water revitalization and water-sensitive urban development in the spectrum of international water conversion projects
• Conveying impulses from the Emscher conversion for major international water management and urban development projects using practical examples along the Emscher and Lippe rivers
• Insights into the planning processes of water management in cooperation with the cities of the Emscher region
• Discussion of approaches to strategic spatial planning and solutions for regional river governance: Master Plan Emscher Future and Relaunch Master Plan 2025 ff.
• Preparation of case studies: (1) Revitalization of freshwater lagoons in conjunction with ecotourism and environmental education and (2) Integrated flood protection concept with open space development in São Leopoldo
• Definition of task distribution and focus of the excursion
• Optional: Participation of students in research and funding projects (e.g. Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, KfW)

This event serves as preparation for the major excursion to Brazil, which is expected to take place over 7 - 10 days from 16 - 25 March 2026. The excursion and the preparatory module are dedicated to the challenges and potentials of climate-resilient and water-sensitive urban and regional development in Brazil and have two regional focuses: Nísia Floresta and Natal (state of Rio Grande do Norte) and São Leopoldo and Porto Alegre (state of Rio Grande do Sul). Both projects were/are currently funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and coordinated by Dr. Stephan Treuke. The starting point for both projects is the Emscher conversion and its impetus for sustainable and water-sensitive urban and regional development for the Emscher and Lippe region. In particular, aspects of integral and strategic water development are considered in connection with sustainable urban planning and regional river governance. One focus is on the development of so-called “value-added topics” based on sustainable water revitalization, including the development of sustainable tourism structures, the creation of new leisure and recreational areas, and impetus for waterfront city concepts.

Nísia Floresta / Natal: Revitalization of the freshwater lagoon landscape and development of sustainable tourism structures

The city of Nisia Floresta (approx. 30,000 inhabitants) and its extensive surrounding area (308 km2) are located in the urban expansion zone of the metropolitan area of the city of Natal, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. There are already large housing projects on the outskirts of the city, which are increasingly encroaching on the ecologically protected areas and thus also impairing the quality of the waters. This expansion trend can also be observed in many other coastal cities in Brazil.

Objective: Against this background, it is necessary to develop an overall strategic concept that considers the revitalization of water bodies in connection with the development of new economic cycles, in this case sustainable tourism with the strong involvement of the local population and sustainable agriculture (circular economy). The focus is on the three freshwater lagoons Bonfim, Carcará and Arituba, as well as the Rio Pirrichiu. Depending on the degree of wastewater pollution and tourist use, the lagoons are in a different process of eutrophication with simultaneous pollution of their shore areas. The three lagoons and the surrounding ecological reserve have a high potential for careful ecotourism and sustainable land management, which can involve the local population culturally and socio-economically and thus also strengthen the economic development of the location (in particular job creation). At present, the focus of economic activities is on mass tourism along the lagoons, with varying degrees of informality and thus high levels of pollution of the water bodies. There is currently no transfer between water revitalization and environmental education, with the result that pollution of the waters through wastewater discharge and waste disposal, also due to a lack of infrastructure, continues to be common practice.The construction of a permanent structural infrastructure as a starting point for environmental education activities dedicated to the protection of water bodies, the strengthening of biodiversity, reforestation and sustainable land management in the sense of the circular economy strengthens awareness of the sustainable use of natural resources and thus makes a contribution, especially for the younger generation (in cooperation with schools and kindergartens). At the methodological level, suitable participation and dialog formats must be developed for the project, which are aimed at the broad participation of different stakeholders as well as the perception and balancing of different interests. At the same time, the expectations and demands of the various stakeholders in relation to the overall project must be queried in an open participation process and integrated into the further conceptual development.

Program content and activities: Visit and working meetings with Nísia Floresta Municipality (Mayor, Urban Planning and Environment Department, Tourism Department, visit and working meetings with local NGOs, meetings with local population, farmers and restaurant operators of the lagoons), meetings with professors and students of the Federal University of Natal (Departments of Geography and Tourism, Urban Planning).

Project objective: Joint development of an integrated strategy for sustainable water development, focus on freshwater lagoons and river waters, development of an integrated water-related ecotourism and environmental education concept.

São Leopoldo / Porto Alegre: Flood management meets sustainable urban and regional development in São Leopoldo

In both Brazilian and German cities, intense rainfall events cause considerable damage to the structural infrastructure and endanger the lives of residents, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the watercourses (floodplains). São Leopoldo is a city with around 240,000 inhabitants and stretches along the Sinos River. In the past, the city was frequently hit by heavy rainfall events, which led to severe damage to the structural infrastructure, not least due to the intensive settlement along the banks of the Sinos River (mainly in the Campina and Vicentina districts). This prompted the city and regional government of the state of Rio Grande do Sul to implement short-term measures to combat flooding as a result of the flood events in May 2024, with a focus on repairing / upgrading the dykes in strategically important locations.

Objective: As part of the excursion, the local potential of the river revitalization of the Sinos River and its tributaries for flood protection and for the expansion of the city's blue-green infrastructure will be evaluated and linked to an integrated action strategy with impulses for sustainable and climate-resilient urban development. The concept includes both infrastructural flood protection measures and “soft tools” for flood monitoring. The working discussions and meetings address the following needs of the city of São Leopoldo:

- The lack of a comprehensive, integrated action plan for flood events (“flood master plan”), which includes both the infrastructure and the “soft tools” (participation, monitoring, diagnostics and flood action plans, in the sense described above); 
- Lack of experience in dealing with the river revitalization of the Sinos River and its tributaries; this is accompanied in particular by the question of how to deal with the densely populated high-risk areas along the Sinos River by various user groups (especially the Vicentina and Campina districts, which are at high risk of flooding); 
- Lack of climate adaptation concepts for the city, especially in the area of land drainage, heavy rain management and decoupling from the sewer system, in conjunction with adequate drainage systems and pumping capacity; 
- Lack of a strategy for linking (flood) water management issues with the guidelines for sustainable water-related urban development (“blue-green infrastructure”), in this case with a focus on environmental education, leisure and tourism.

Program content and activities: Visit and working meetings with São Leopoldo city administration and upstream and downstream cities (mayor, city planning and environmental office, tourism office, visit and working meetings with local NGOs and schools, meetings with stakeholders: Water management companies, Sinos River water management association, disaster and civil protection authorities, working meetings with representatives of the scientific community (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Unisinos, Getúlio Vargas Foundation), working meetings with funding bodies (KfW) where appropriate.

Project objective: Development of an integrated flood protection and climate adaptation concept for the city of Sao Leopoldo, with impetus for sustainable open space planning. Prospective development of a regional flood protection concept with development of a regional tourism strategy (master plan for the future of Rio dos Sinos).

Costs: for a 10-day trip (8 full days + arrival/departure) approx. 950 EUR for accommodation, transport and meals. Plus the flight, which is estimated at around EUR 800.

Informative meeting: 16.06.2025, 16:00 h

Excursion 7-10 days probably in January/February 2026

1. introduction, objectives and program overview. Presentation of the fields of action Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband  
2. regional transformation approaches in the Ruhr area: basics and premises
3. impulses of the Emscher conversion for sustainable urban and regional development
4. climate adaptation concepts in the Emscher region (flood protection and “sponge city” concept in implementation)
5. excursion Emscherland with subsequent working discussion on site
6. excursion to the Emscher-Auen flood retention basin followed by a working discussion on site
7. regional water-related master plans: Emscher Future Master Plan and Relaunch 2025 ff.
8. regional master plan for the Emscher Region transformation area
9. large-scale water management projects as drivers for the sustainable transformation of cities and regions: Examples from Ukraine (Sambir, Lviv), Poland (Katowice) and Ecuador (Quito)
10. presentation of projects of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Brazil: Nísia Floresta and São Leopoldo
11. planning of the excursion, distribution of tasks, presentations on preparatory topics
12. planning of the excursion, distribution of tasks, presentations on preparatory topics
13. planning of the excursion, distribution of tasks, presentations on preparatory topics
14. organizational matters, preparation and wrap-up
15. organizational matters, preparation and wrap-up

Lectures, the excursion itself and field trips address fundamental geographical contexts and problems and teach them directly on site. The day's guided tours, which are to be worked out and carried out under supervision, offer the opportunity to try out one's own actions in a leadership position and to reflect on them through comprehensive feedback. The competences acquired in this way can be used professionally, e.g. in the field of science, project planning, but also in teaching activities at school.

Further aims of the course are

To sharpen the view and critically scrutinise the environment, to scientifically understand the characteristics, processes and backgrounds of the earth's body, to develop content-related questions - partly in teams - and to prepare them in such a way that they can be summarised in a comprehensible and technically sound manner. The topics dealt with should be presented creatively, predominantly visually and digitally.

Excursion to Alaska - Physical-geographical perspectives on an extreme landscape

The excursion to Alaska is dedicated to physical-geographical topics with a special focus on geology, glaciology, glacial morphology, volcanism, cave research as well as meteorological and climatological phenomena. Aspects of the culture of the indigenous population are also included.

Our research area covers south-central Alaska - between Anchorage, Valdez and Fairbanks. The focus is on the development of the Alaskan landscape as well as glaciological and glacial morphological issues.

The journey begins in Anchorage with an initial excursion to Turnagain Arm, where we observe the effect of the tides on the movement of the ice floes and keep an eye out for beluga whales. From there we continue to Whittier, one of the most unusual places in Alaska - isolated, peculiar, fascinating.

The following day, we head north and cross Denali National Park and the Alaska Range until we finally reach Fairbanks. There are two special options to choose from: either we visit the renowned Museum of the North, which offers an in-depth overview of the nature, history, art and settlement of Alaska - or we visit the permafrost tunnel, which provides rare insights into frozen layers of ground with ice lenses and ice wedges.

A highlight is a visit to the Chena Hot Springs, where it is possible to bathe in the 40 °C outdoor pool in the midst of icy surroundings - an impressive natural experience.

The following day, we make our way back south. We explore the frozen Tanana River, follow a section of the Alaska Pipeline and cross the Alaska Range again. We spend the night in the secluded Meiers Lake Roadhouse - a rustic but authentic place in the middle of the wilderness.

The next day, the route continues through the Copper River Valley. We visit a frozen waterfall and - if visibility is good - enjoy the view of the majestic volcanoes of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. We reach the small harbour town of Valdez in the evening.

The following day, we cross the frozen glacial lake of the Valdez Glacier, interspersed with icebergs. We will explore the glacier intensively as part of an extended snowshoe hike.

The next day, we head north back to the Worthington Glacier, which we climb with crampons or snowshoes, depending on the weather. With a bit of luck, we will discover bizarre glacier caves, which we can also enter from the inside.

Another impressive experience awaits us in the disused car tunnel near Valdez: an ice-covered world of stalactites, stalagmites and ice columns makes the scenery look like a fairytale landscape.

The next day we go on a final snowshoe hike into the Nelchina Valley. The afternoon is at leisure - those who wish can use it for snowmobiling.

The excursion ends with a visit to the imposing Matanuska Glacier, which we will explore together.

The planned programme can of course only be carried out in reasonably good weather, so changes are possible.

Overnight stays will be in simple motels to good middle-class hotels in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez and Nelchina.

Costs:

Depending on the number of participants and the dollar exchange rate, the estimated cost of the excursion is approximately € 1,340 to € 1,560 excluding flights and meals. The price includes: Rental car, petrol, accommodation, equipment (helmet, crampons, snowshoes), various entrance fees.

For further questions please contact: andreas.pflitsch@rub.de

Entry: To ensure that you can enter the USA without any problems, I will prepare official letters stating that you are travelling to the USA as part of a course at a German university and that you do not intend to work in the USA. This should ensure that you enter the country without any problems.

Immediately after the allocation of places, there will be a compulsory preliminary meeting in Zoom. Please check your emails at the address you provided when you made your choice. The date will be searched for and set via Doodle poll.

The lecture topics will then be assigned in October. On FR/SA, 12 + 13 December 2025, the preparatory seminar will take place at RUB, where the first part of the lectures will be held.

This will be followed by the excursion in February.

The follow-up is planned for summer semester 26 by arrangement, where the remaining lectures will be given.

Schmincke, Hans-Ulrich (2013)

Vulkanismus, 4. Auflage

Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt

ISBN: 978-3-534-26245-8

Winkler, Stefan

Gletscher und Ihre Landschaften – Eine illustrierte Einführung,

Primus Verlag, Darmstadt, 2009

Benn, Douglas, I. & Evans, David, J.A.

Glaciers & Glaciation, Hodder Education, 2nd ed., London, 2010

Bennet, Matthew R, & Glasser, Neil F,

Glacial Geology – Ice Sheet and Landforms,

Wiley-Blackwell, 2nd ed., Chichester, 2009

French, Hugh M.,

The Periglacial Environment

Addison Wesley Longman Limited, 2nd ed., Harlow,1996

The three European capitals Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Budapest (Hungary) are located relatively close to each other (in the case of Vienna and Bratislava, they are the closest two European capitals at all) and are connected by the Danube. Moreover, the three cities are characterised by a common historical past based on the Habsburg monarchy.
Nevertheless, the different developments on this side and on the other side of the so-called Iron Curtain after 1945 have led to considerable differentiation features, which - since the opening of the borders to Eastern Europe and currently still continuing - can be seen in different processes of change and adaptation of the respective urban developments.
Using appropriate comparative grids, these different patterns of urban systems are to be observed.
The aim is to observe, work out, discuss and interpret these different patterns of urban systems with regard to urban structures, developments and planning on site.
discussed and interpreted.

• 550 € incl. 9 overnight stays with breakfast in shared rooms in Vienna (6 nights) and Budapest (3 nights), entrance fees & programme, travel in Vienna, to/from Budapest and Bratislava and back, information material, excursion printout
• Arrival and departure (to/from Vienna) must be organised by yourself!
• 150 Euro are to be paid in cash when registering in person.
• The remaining amount (400 Euro) is to be transferred to the following account by 01.10.2025 (due to early accommodation and ticket bookings):

Recipient: University of Duisburg-Essen

IBAN: DE40 3605 0105 0000 269 803

BIC: SPESDE3EXXX

Credit institution: Sparkasse Essen

Purpose: 40132000190002 Excursion Danube Capitals March 2025

Please note: After personal registration, a later cancellation of the excursion can only lead to a refund of the deposit or paid participation fee if a replacement person is named. If necessary, travel cancellation insurance must be taken out privately.

Registration

Mandatory personal registration is possible from the confirmation of participation until 15 July 2025 at the latest at the Chair of Economic Geography (SR 008) during office hours (see chair homepage https://www.uni-due.de/wigeo/)

A copy of the student ID and identity card must be submitted.

150 euros must be paid in cash at the time of registration.

Preliminary meeting with compulsory attendance:

Monday 13 October 2025, 10:00-11:00 a.m., SM 102

Personal attendance is compulsory without exception. Presentation topics will be assigned and organisational questions clarified.

Excursion preparation seminar (2-day block seminar):

2-day block seminar in February 2026; dates to be fixed in the above-mentioned preliminary meeting, 10:00 - approx. 16:00, room SM 102; for logical reasons, attendance is compulsory on both days!

Accommodation:

- Vienna: t.b.a. probably a Meininger Hotel/Hostel (6 nights)

- Budapest: t.b.a. probably a hostel near the city centre (3 nights)

Start of excursion:

Meeting point at the accommodation in Vienna on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 13:00 (on time!)

Please arrange your arrival so that you are on time!

Check-in at the accommodation will be organised by the excursion leader.

End of the excursion: Thursday 26 March 2026, approx. 1 pm at Vienna Central Station.

Please note, if you are travelling back by plane or train: there is no departure time/travel time from Vienna before 16:00! If you are not travelling back to Vienna from Budapest on 26 March 2026, please notify Prof. Juchelka by email by 1 December 2025. Unfortunately, a reduction of the participation fee is not possible.

The course pursues subject-related and methodological objectives:
 Acquisition of regional geographic knowledge about basic structures of urban development as well as urban and landscape ecology
 Practising and applying scientific presentation methods (presentations + lectures in the field + written term paper)
 Acquisition of the ability to critically discuss current planning and nature conservation approaches

Overview of Estonia and its geography:
 Historical development of the Baltic States
 eEstonia: Digital transformation since the 1990s
 Urban development in the formative historical epochs of Estonia
 Teliskivi Loomelinnak: Creative neighbourhood as an economic driver in Tallinn?
 Undisturbed raised bogs, their vegetation and ecology
 Utilisation of raised bogs for peat extraction: sense or nonsense?
 Estonian wooded meadows: grassland with record biodiversity
 Renaturation of grassland: juniper heaths and other Estonian specialities
 Urban ecology approaches in Tartu
 Geopolitical significance of Estonia and the Baltic region
 Interethnic relations in Estonia

Preparatory seminar in summer semester 2025 (Thu, 10-12 a.m. in room IA 1/131)

Excursion in the period probably 19-29 September 2025

Literature

will be announced in the seminar

Students are able to grasp, address and communicate fundamental geographical contexts and problems. Characteristic features of the Central Hesse region and the Lahn Valley can be articulated from human and physical-geographical perspectives and categorized on the basis of literature studies and original encounters in the field.

The excursion focuses on the Central Hesse region, but also takes us from the source of the Lahn to where it flows into the Rhine to excursion points in NRW and Rhineland-Palatinate. We will cover sections on foot, possibly on a rental bike and paddling on and along the Lahn. Particular emphasis is placed on the integrative perspective in terms of complex human-environment systems and urban-rural relationships.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Preparatory seminar in summer semester 2025 (Thu, 12-14 a.m. in room IA 1/131)

Excursion in the period probably 24.08.-30.08.2025

Acquisition of knowledge of current urban and regional geographic issues
as well as fundamental structures of urban and landscape development;
Transfer theoretical knowledge to the example of the city of Vienna and its surrounding region.

The basic structures and processes of urban, regional and landscape development will be shown based on the situation in the city of Vienna and its surroundings. The urban structure (e.g. the historic old town and modern city) as well as the inner functional and socio-spatial organization of the city will be dealt with. Issues of urban renewal, social housing, new urbanity and immigration will also be addressed. Furthermore, the development of Vienna's environs towards new post-suburban structures is discussed. Finally, the natural embedding of the city of Vienna in its surroundings (Danube floodplains; Vienna Woods) will be explored.

Input, presentations, discussion, excursion (31.08.-07.09.2025)

Will be announced during the seminar sessions.

Students will be able to describe, explain and evaluate selected problems of the Southeast Asian region from human and physical-geographical perspectives on the basis of literature studies and original encounters in the field.

The Southeast Asia region comprises eleven countries located to the east of India and south of China and, with the exception of East Timor, are organized in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With an area of 4.49 million km2 and 687 million inhabitants (2023), the region is larger than the European Union, but shows great disparities in socio-economic development, from the rich city state of Singapore to the poorest countries of Cambodia, Myanmar and East Timor. Despite the rise of China and India, Southeast Asia remains one of the most dynamic regions of the world economy and offers attractive locations for foreign direct investment by multinational companies. The seminar examines selected aspects of Southeast Asia, ranging from physical geography (climate, vegetation, soils) to urban development and planning, population geography and economic geography. The latter is the thematic focus of the seminar and excursion.

Southeast Asia

• Geomorphology and climate
• Soils and vegetation
• Catch-up industrialization - catch-up processes and disparities in a new world economic region
• Supranational cooperation: ASEAN's potentials and obstacles to integration
• Subnational integration through growth triangles: The example of Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore with special consideration of Batam
• Transpiration or inspiration? An international comparison of Southeast Asia's technological performance
• Southeast Asia in the competition for foreign direct investment
• Environmental problems, conflicts and policy
• Sustainability transition, climate balance and climate policy

Singapore

• Men in White: Politics and society in Singapore
• Economic development and structural change in Singapore from 1819 to the present day - is the city-state suitable as a development model?
• Global City Singapore? Global city functions and position in the international hierarchy
• Singapore's industrialization strategy using the example of the chemical and electronics industries
• Singapore's economy of the 21st century: How does the developing state promote biotechnology and the creative industries?

Malaysia

• Society and politics in Malaysia
• Spatial disparities in the economic and technological development of peninsular Malaysia
• Through the Multimedia Super Corridor to Vision 2020? Malaysia's economic and technology policy
• The return of resources? Importance, potentials and problems of the resource-based economy in Malaysia

Comparative perspective Singapore-Malaysia

• Economic importance, problems and potentials of tourism in Singapore and Malaysia
• Urban development and urban planning: Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in comparison
• Cost of progress? Environmental problems and environmental policy in Singapore and Malaysia
• Migration in Southeast Asia: Foreign workers in Singapore and Malaysia

Literature

Croissant, A., 2022: Die politischen Systeme Südostasiens: Eine Einführung. (2. Aufl.). (=Springer Texts in Political Science and International Relations). Wiesbaden: Springer VS. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-658-38708-2.pdf [16.11.2024].

Girndt, T.; Kraas, F.; Müller, S.; Pries, M., 2020: Diercke Spezial Südostasien: Aktuelle Ausgabe für die Sekundarstufe II. Braunschweig: Westermann.

Gupta, A., 2005: The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia. (=The Oxford Regional Environments Series, 4). Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.

Ing, L.Y.; Kimura, F. (Hrsg.), 2017: Production Networks in Southeast Asia. (=Routledge-ERIA Studies in Development Economics, 9). London, New York: Routledge.

Kiese, M., 2017: Singapur – Vom Umschlaghafen zur Wissensgesellschaft? In: Geographische Rundschau, 69(1), S. 47-53.

Rush, J.R., 2018: Southeast Asia: A Very Short Introduction. (=Very Short Introductions). New York: Oxford Univ. Press.

Vorlaufer, K., 2018: Südostasien. (3. Aufl.). (=WBG-Länderkunden). Darmstadt: Wiss. Buchges.