Projekt Framework Plan for the Biosphere Reserve Rhön

The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön administration is currently preparing a new Framework Plan; results of the student project will be used for preparing this plan which includes guidelines for promoting the Rhön as a sustainability model region. Project participants will assign themselves to sub-groups according to their interests in key planning and management issues such as agriculture, forestry, rural development, energy, ecosystem and landscape services, tourism, transport and infrastructure, as well as economy, trade and commerce. Before preparing concepts for future development students will analyse the status quo in the respective areas of concern. BR are intended to further the protection of biodiversity and landscape, to increase regional values added on the base of a sustainable economy, to support research on the interdependency of humans and nature, and to raise awareness of locals and visitors. Nature preservation, sustainable regional development, as well as research and education, are equally important aims. Hence, planning processes and stakeholder engagements are central elements of conceptual urban and regional development. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their analytical and planning as well as their presentation skills. The project is linked to an excursion for students to explore the Rhön region and to be in contact with relevant stakeholders. The excursion will take place from May 17 to May 21 (excursion week). The participation fee will be about 240,- Euros. The final mark will consist of an individual mark (short presentation on April 23, 2015 and active participation during the entire project), and a weighted mark for the group work (intermediate presentations on May 28, 2015 and July 02, 2015, final presentation during the presentation week, project report due on August 14, 2015). The project is suitable for students with previous knowledge in conceptual urban and regional development or landscape planning. If students are interested in elaborating further on a particular topic, it will be possible to develop a seminar or term paper on the base of the project. Project sessions are held on Thursdays at 2:00 pm. The first meeting is scheduled for April, 16, 2015. FB 06 Architektur, Stadtplanung, Landschaftsplanung Uni Kassel SoSe 2015 Architektur Architektur Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bruns Diedrich