Rumslig omvandling och planering för hållbar utveckling

The course is given as a stand-alone course. The course is a continuing level skills course in human geography with a focus on community planning. The course is part of the recommended course of study but is not compulsory for the degree in human geography

Students should have successfully completed at least 60 credits in first cycle courses in Human Geography, Geography or equivalent.

The course aims for the student to develop knowledge and abilities to analyze urban transformation, sustainability and spatial planning in different geographical contexts. The course includes field studies and an excursion. The course begins with an exploration of planning in practice based on a number of theoretical themes where environmental and social transformation leaves an imprint on society's physical design. The course ties together theoretical and conceptual perspectives from previous courses in human geography and applies these in different spatial contexts with sustainable planning and development in focus

After completing the course, the student must be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Explain basic concepts and theories that deal with spatial economic, social and residential transformation.
• Explain basic physical structures and elements that contribute to making societies sustainable.
• Explain, compare and show differences and similarities between different locations' planning challenges regarding sustainable development.

Skills and ability

• Demonstrate basic skill in preparing and carrying out a fieldwork

Evaluation ability and approach 

• Be able to value the planning authorities' areas of responsibility at different geographical levels based on their influence and ability to enforce sustainable planning solutions from a social and environmental perspective.
• Critically review and evaluate information from various actors within spatial planning.

The teaching in the course is based on lectures, tutorials, workshops and field work. The students work in large parts of the course in groups.

If a student who has twice received a failing grade for the same examination component wishes to change examiner ahead of the next examination session, such a request should be made to the department in writing and should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years after the course has ceased/been changed. The same applies to internships and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

On the course, one of the grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Adequate (E) and Fail (F) are given.

The course consists of exam elements that are graded and the course grade is based on a weighting of the results from all stages where the written exam has a preponderance. In order to pass the course, it is required that all stages have been completed

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The excursion and the field study involve costs for travel and accommodation which are paid by the student. The student can choose not to go on an excursion, in which case this activity is replaced by literature studies. The course may not be included in the degree together with the course KGG220, KGG172, KGG951 or KGG173.