Blockseminar Urban perspectives in the context of demographic change

The seminar discusses the goals and strategic approaches of urban policy measures implemented to meet the specific challenges arising for cities in the context of demographic change. Using the Ruhr as an example representing an advanced stage in regional demographic ageing, the seminar will examine the policy implications of demographic change at the regional, city and neighbourhood level. Seminar work will comprise a critical review of the literature, data analysis and discussion of the strategic planning concepts pursued by selected cities in the Ruhr. The main part of the course will comprise a two-day block seminar, during which current topics and methodical approaches in urban and population geography and in urban policy will be in the focus. Policy-related research questions will be examined in the form of case studies, which will be prepared by participants and discussed during the two-day seminar. The policy relevance of research in urban and population geography will be demonstrated and reviewed further during a one-day excursion. During the course, students will - aquire enhanced knowledge about the practical relevance of research in urban and population geography, - become acquainted with empirical methods (data acquisition and analysis of aggregate and micro-data), - prepare a text and presentation in individual or group work (ca. 5 pages text and Powerpoint presentation), - present a topic during the seminar (20 minutes), - and defend their reasoning during a discussion. Profilschwerpunkt Urbane Systeme Universität Duisburg-Essen WiSe 2015/16 Neumann Uwe