Many environmental problems such as air pollution, noise and heat are concentrated in cities due to the high density of human activity. At the same time, particularly vulnerable population groups can be found here. However, the actual exposure is often unknown, as these environmental stressors are very unevenly distributed and change rapidly. In addition, the least data is often available in particularly affected areas, which raises questions of environmental justice. In order to make a differentiated assessment of the situation and enable improvements for those affected, there is often a lack of suitable data in high spatial and temporal resolution.
In this course, we want to deal with various environmental problems and design our own measurement campaigns to assess them and carry them out with suitable measuring devices as well as process, prepare and present the data collected.

In the seminar we will

• deal with urban environmental stressors (heat, noise, air pollution, ...)
• and develop our own relevant questions in this regard
• deal scientifically with the design and construction of measurement networks,
• build or assemble sensor systems ourselves if necessary and plan problem-specific measurement campaigns,
• carry out measurement experiments at different locations,
• evaluate and visualize data, 
• address issues of environmental justice,
• and derive recommendations for measures.

To this end, the following topics will be covered in depth: Urban climate, (regional) climate change, air quality, noise, health effects, measurement methods (meteorology, air quality, noise and other environmental parameters), citizen science, sensor construction, planning of measurement networks/campaigns, project management, data evaluation, environmental justice.

In recent years, projects have been carried out on the following topics, among others: Noise and CO2 in canteens, particulate matter and lichens on the RUB campus, night light, noise emissions from roads and precipitation; cold air flows on railroad lines; thermal comfort; rock gardens

The course lasts two semesters and is divided into four parts: 1. theory, 2. project development, 3. implementation, 4. analysis. In the first semester, students work mainly in groups, in the second semester in small groups of 3-5 people.

„Air Quality in Europe - 2020 Report — European Environment Agency“. Publication. Zugegriffen 13. Januar 2022. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2020-report.

Grimm, Nancy B., Stanley H. Faeth, Nancy E. Golubiewski, Charles L. Redman, Jianguo Wu, Xuemei Bai, und John M. Briggs. „Global change and the ecology of cities“. science 319, Nr. 5864 (2008): 756–60.

Oke, T. R., G. Mills, A. Christen, und J. A. Voogt. Urban Climates. Cambridge University Press, 2017.

Stewart, Iain D., und Gerald Mills. The urban heat Island. Elsevier, 2021.

Szombathely, Malte von, Myriam Albrecht, Dejan Antanaskovic, Jobst Augustin, Matthias Augustin, Benjamin Bechtel, Thomas Bürk, u. a. „A Conceptual Modeling Approach to Health-Related Urban Well-Being“. Urban Science 1, Nr. 2 (12. Mai 2017): 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci1020017.

WHO. Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise: Quantification of Healthy Life Years Lost in Europe. Herausgegeben von Frank Theakston. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, 2011.

• Elaboration of the prerequisites for achieving more participatory justice and willingness to participate in poor arrival neighborhoods on the basis of literature and best practice evaluations as well as on-site analyses in the Ruhr region
• Critical evaluation of different formats, instruments and procedures for an experimental and cooperative design of sustainability transformation at the neighborhood level (real-world laboratory approaches, concepts and projects of tactical urbanism, impulse projects of transformation, transformative and integrative governance)
• Application of the findings as part of a SWOT analysis in micro-neighborhoods in Duisburg-Hochfeld

• Literature analyses on terms, concepts, discourses and their theoretical embedding: Spaces of arrival and superdiversity; equity of opportunity, access and participation in the sustainability transformation of urban spaces; transformative and integrative governance (analysis of actor constellations and the institutional embedding of action); participation in the context of integrated urban development concepts; participation in the context of formative planning; real-world laboratories as experimental formats of transformative "city-making" in the neighbourhood; self-organized interventions "from below" (tactical urbanism); more participatory justice through enabling and empowerment
• How do others do it? Best practice evaluations (literature, on-site analyses)
• SWOT analysis for the cooperative and experimental design of sustainability transformation in micro-neighborhoods in Duisburg-Hochfeld 

In the first part of the study project, the scientific foundation for the SWOT analysis will be developed in the summer semester 2025. This will be done through joint reading work in conjunction with keynote speeches (coursework) and on-site analyses of comparable neighborhoods in the region (e.g. Dortmund's Nordstadt; interviews). The SWOT analysis will have to take into account the perspectives, roles, strategies and resources of key institutional players and their ongoing projects (City of Duisburg/District Office, Urbane Zukunft Ruhr GmbH, IGA 2027/WBD, GEBAG). Knowledge of the positions of the numerous local intermediary and civil society groups is also key. The focus will be on the opportunities, possibilities, wishes and willingness to participate of the people living and working in the micro-neighborhoods - e.g. in the context of experimental formats (Reallabor) and interventions (Tactical Urbanism).

Hans, N. et al. (2023): Ankunftsquartiere als Kontext der Integration. In: Jepkens, K. et al. (Hrsg.): Integration im Sozialraum. Wiesbaden, 163-176.

Lydon, M.; Garcia, A. (2015): Tactical Urbanism. Washington, Covelo, London.

Stadt Duisburg, EG DU Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (Hrsg., 2021): Integriertes Stadtentwicklungskonzept Duisburg-Hochfeld 2020. Fortschreibung Februar 2021. Duisburg 

SynVer*Z (2022): Reallabore für urbane Transformation. Berlin.

Self-organized learning, project implementation and presentation of results

In 2000, the EU adopted the Water Framework Directive, which obliges all member states to improve water quality from a holistic perspective. It requires that all water bodies achieve a "good ecological status" within a certain period of time. The so-called "good ecological status of a water body" comprises hydromorphological, biological and chemical aspects. In order to be able to assess the good ecological status, different assessment methods are used in the seminar. In this project seminar the students have the opportunity to get to know different methods of stream assessment, to integrate them into their self-organized project context and to implement their self-developed project in the second part of the project seminar in the summer semester through field and laboratory work. Streams are in a landscape context, so floodplains can also be included in the project in this seminar. Here, there is the possibility to investigate soils or to conduct floodplain mapping and vegetation surveys. Since the EU Water Framework Directive also provides for the involvement of the public, there is also the possibility to include environmental education aspects in the project.

In the winter semester (Part I), the necessary technical basics are developed and presented according to areas of interest. In the further course of the seminar, the project is developed and written in a project outline. In the summer semester (part II) the project is carried out.

Will be announced during the seminar, detailed information in the Moodle course

Learning the (theoretical) principles of good agricultural practice with regard to sustainable land use, especially with regard to soil fertility and the preservation of soil functions. Furthermore, methods of both conventional and organic farming are to be familiarized with and discussed with regard to their potential for sustainable land use and the preservation of food security. Current developments in European agricultural policy will be examined and their consequences for practicing farmers in Germany will be discussed.
In the second part of the study project, soil samples from agricultural land will be analysed in the laboratory using soil chemistry and soil biology methods and the data will be evaluated, visualized and interpreted using statistical methods.  

Organic farming is seen by the EU as part of sustainable agriculture and, above all, as an alternative to conventional farming methods. The growing awareness of consumers in the areas of food safety and environmental protection has contributed to the expansion of organic farming in recent years. Currently, 9.7% of agricultural land in Germany is farmed organically. As part of the German sustainability strategy, 20% of agricultural land in Germany is to be farmed organically by 2030. In contrast to conventional farming, organic farming does not use chemical pesticides, mineral fertilizers or green genetic engineering, which shows an increased awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly, sustainable farming.

In the first part of this study project (WS24/25), theoretical foundations are developed and the basic features of organic and conventional agriculture are examined in more detail. With the help of current topics and specialist literature (mainly in English), relevant areas of organic farming will be compared with conventional agriculture and analyzed together with regard to the potential of environmentally friendly and sustainable farming. In addition, it is planned to visit farms with different management systems on half-day or full-day excursions.
The second part of the study project (summer semester 2025) will focus on empirical (laboratory) work dealing with the effects of organic and conventional farming, particularly with regard to sustainable soil management.

Familiarize yourself with the current topics on national and EU-wide agricultural policy. 

Further interesting and relevant literature will be announced in the Moodle course and in the seminar.

• Elaboration of the prerequisites for achieving more participatory justice and willingness to participate in poor arrival neighborhoods on the basis of literature and best practice evaluations as well as on-site analyses in the Ruhr region
• Critical evaluation of different formats, instruments and procedures for an experimental and cooperative design of sustainability transformation at the neighborhood level (real-world laboratory approaches, concepts and projects of tactical urbanism, impulse projects of transformation, transformative and integrative governance)
• Application of the findings as part of a SWOT analysis in micro-neighborhoods in Duisburg-Hochfeld

• Literature analyses on terms, concepts, discourses and their theoretical embedding: Spaces of arrival and superdiversity; equity of opportunity, access and participation in the sustainability transformation of urban spaces; transformative and integrative governance (analysis of actor constellations and the institutional embedding of action); participation in the context of integrated urban development concepts; participation in the context of formative planning; real-world laboratories as experimental formats of transformative "city-making" in the neighbourhood; self-organized interventions "from below" (tactical urbanism); more participatory justice through enabling and empowerment
• How do others do it? Best practice evaluations (literature, on-site analyses)
• SWOT analysis for the cooperative and experimental design of sustainability transformation in micro-neighborhoods in Duisburg-Hochfeld 

In the first part of the study project, the scientific foundation for the SWOT analysis will be developed in the summer semester 2025. This will be done through joint reading work in conjunction with keynote speeches (coursework) and on-site analyses of comparable neighborhoods in the region (e.g. Dortmund's Nordstadt; interviews). The SWOT analysis will have to take into account the perspectives, roles, strategies and resources of key institutional players and their ongoing projects (City of Duisburg/District Office, Urbane Zukunft Ruhr GmbH, IGA 2027/WBD, GEBAG). Knowledge of the positions of the numerous local intermediary and civil society groups is also key. The focus will be on the opportunities, possibilities, wishes and willingness to participate of the people living and working in the micro-neighborhoods - e.g. in the context of experimental formats (Reallabor) and interventions (Tactical Urbanism).

Hans, N. et al. (2023): Ankunftsquartiere als Kontext der Integration. In: Jepkens, K. et al. (Hrsg.): Integration im Sozialraum. Wiesbaden, 163-176.

Lydon, M.; Garcia, A. (2015): Tactical Urbanism. Washington, Covelo, London.

Stadt Duisburg, EG DU Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (Hrsg., 2021): Integriertes Stadtentwicklungskonzept Duisburg-Hochfeld 2020. Fortschreibung Februar 2021. Duisburg 

SynVer*Z (2022): Reallabore für urbane Transformation. Berlin.

Many environmental problems such as air pollution, noise and heat are concentrated in cities due to the high density of human activity. At the same time, particularly vulnerable population groups can be found here. However, the actual exposure is often unknown, as these environmental stressors are very unevenly distributed and change rapidly. In addition, the least data is often available in particularly affected areas, which raises questions of environmental justice. In order to make a differentiated assessment of the situation and enable improvements for those affected, there is often a lack of suitable data in high spatial and temporal resolution.
In this course, we want to deal with various environmental problems and design our own measurement campaigns to assess them and carry them out with suitable measuring devices as well as process, prepare and present the data collected.

In the seminar we will

• deal with urban environmental stressors (heat, noise, air pollution, ...)
• and develop our own relevant questions in this regard
• deal scientifically with the design and construction of measurement networks,
• build or assemble sensor systems ourselves if necessary and plan problem-specific measurement campaigns,
• carry out measurement experiments at different locations,
• evaluate and visualize data, 
• address issues of environmental justice,
• and derive recommendations for measures.

To this end, the following topics will be covered in depth: Urban climate, (regional) climate change, air quality, noise, health effects, measurement methods (meteorology, air quality, noise and other environmental parameters), citizen science, sensor construction, planning of measurement networks/campaigns, project management, data evaluation, environmental justice.

In recent years, projects have been carried out on the following topics, among others: Noise and CO2 in canteens, particulate matter and lichens on the RUB campus, night light, noise emissions from roads and precipitation; cold air flows on railroad lines; thermal comfort; rock gardens

The course lasts two semesters and is divided into four parts: 1. theory, 2. project development, 3. implementation, 4. analysis. In the first semester, students work mainly in groups, in the second semester in small groups of 3-5 people.

„Air Quality in Europe - 2020 Report — European Environment Agency“. Publication. Zugegriffen 13. Januar 2022. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2020-report.

Grimm, Nancy B., Stanley H. Faeth, Nancy E. Golubiewski, Charles L. Redman, Jianguo Wu, Xuemei Bai, und John M. Briggs. „Global change and the ecology of cities“. science 319, Nr. 5864 (2008): 756–60.

Oke, T. R., G. Mills, A. Christen, und J. A. Voogt. Urban Climates. Cambridge University Press, 2017.

Stewart, Iain D., und Gerald Mills. The urban heat Island. Elsevier, 2021.

Szombathely, Malte von, Myriam Albrecht, Dejan Antanaskovic, Jobst Augustin, Matthias Augustin, Benjamin Bechtel, Thomas Bürk, u. a. „A Conceptual Modeling Approach to Health-Related Urban Well-Being“. Urban Science 1, Nr. 2 (12. Mai 2017): 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci1020017.

WHO. Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise: Quantification of Healthy Life Years Lost in Europe. Herausgegeben von Frank Theakston. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, 2011.

• geosciences
• new technologies
• serious games with climate change

Participation in 3 summer schools in
- Norway (13 - 19 May 2024)
- Malta (20 - 26 October 2024)
- Bochum (probably 24 - 28 March 2025)
and accompanying virtual lessons

Will be announced during the seminar.

Learning the (theoretical) principles of good agricultural practice with regard to sustainable land use, especially with regard to soil fertility and the preservation of soil functions. Furthermore, methods of both conventional and organic farming are to be familiarized with and discussed with regard to their potential for sustainable land use and the preservation of food security. Current developments in European agricultural policy will be examined and their consequences for practicing farmers in Germany will be discussed.
In the second part of the study project, soil samples from agricultural land will be analysed in the laboratory using soil chemistry and soil biology methods and the data will be evaluated, visualized and interpreted using statistical methods.  

Organic farming is seen by the EU as part of sustainable agriculture and, above all, as an alternative to conventional farming methods. The growing awareness of consumers in the areas of food safety and environmental protection has contributed to the expansion of organic farming in recent years. Currently, 9.7% of agricultural land in Germany is farmed organically. As part of the German sustainability strategy, 20% of agricultural land in Germany is to be farmed organically by 2030. In contrast to conventional farming, organic farming does not use chemical pesticides, mineral fertilizers or green genetic engineering, which shows an increased awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly, sustainable farming.

In the first part of this study project (WS24/25), theoretical foundations are developed and the basic features of organic and conventional agriculture are examined in more detail. With the help of current topics and specialist literature (mainly in English), relevant areas of organic farming will be compared with conventional agriculture and analyzed together with regard to the potential of environmentally friendly and sustainable farming. In addition, it is planned to visit farms with different management systems on half-day or full-day excursions.
The second part of the study project (summer semester 2025) will focus on empirical (laboratory) work dealing with the effects of organic and conventional farming, particularly with regard to sustainable soil management.

Familiarize yourself with the current topics on national and EU-wide agricultural policy. 

Further interesting and relevant literature will be announced in the Moodle course and in the seminar.

Self-organized learning, development of a project in subgroups, preparation of a project outline

In 2000, the EU adopted the Water Framework Directive, which obliges all member states to improve water quality from a holistic perspective. It requires that all water bodies achieve a "good ecological status" within a certain period of time. The so-called "good ecological status of a water body" comprises hydromorphological, biological and chemical aspects. In order to be able to assess the good ecological status, different assessment methods are used in the seminar. In this project seminar the students have the opportunity to get to know different methods of stream assessment, to integrate them into their self-organized project context and to implement their self-developed project in the second part of the project seminar in the summer semester through field and laboratory work. Streams are in a landscape context, so floodplains can also be included in the project in this seminar. Here, there is the possibility to investigate soils or to conduct floodplain mapping and vegetation surveys. Since the EU Water Framework Directive also provides for the involvement of the public, there is also the possibility to include environmental education aspects in the project.

In the winter semester (Part I), the necessary technical basics are developed and presented according to areas of interest. In the further course of the seminar, the project is developed and written in a project outline. In the summer semester (part II) the project is carried out.

Will be announced during the seminar.