Urban challenges
Kursen ger en introduktion till städers utmaningar och kopplar dessa till nationella och globala mål. För att kunna planera för hållbara städer behövs kunskap om vilka konkreta möjligheter som finns och detta kommer behandlas under kursen. Kursen är en mötesplats för människor med olika utbildnings- och yrkesbakgrund som med sina olika kompetenser bidrar till förståelsen för staden.
I föreläsningar med forskare och yrkesverksamma inom uthållig stadsutveckling sätts stadens situation och förändringskraft i fokus och studenten ges en inblick i aktuella frågor. Seminarier ger studenten inblickar i samhällets aktuella utmaningar, tränar studenten i presentationsteknik och att kondensera information.
I kursen ingår ett antal mer omfattande projekt med fördjupning i något tema där studenterna ska visa på tillämpningar av förvärvade kunskaper. Projekten redovisas med obligatoriska inlämningar. Seminarier kan antingen vara obligatoriska eller ge delpoäng vid den slutliga examinationen.
Kursen består av: föreläsningar, litteraturstudier, seminarier, obligatoriska studiebesök och individuella uppgifter.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is not yet activated
The course evaluation is open between 2026-01-11 and 2026-02-01
Additional course evaluations for LK0436
Academic year 2024/2025
Urban challenges (LK0436-10201)
2024-09-02 - 2025-01-19
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LK0436 Urban challenges, 15.0 Credits
Stadens utmaningarSubjects
Landscape ArchitectureEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 7.0 | 0001 |
| Theme 1 | 2.5 | 0002 |
| Theme 2 | 2.5 | 0003 |
| Theme 3 | 3.0 | 0004 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
SwedishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 180 credits of which 90 are from a specialisation in one of the following main fields of study:\- architecture
\- built environment
\- buidling science
\- spatial planning
\- business administration
\- geography
\- cultural and human geography
\- landscape architecture
\- landscape science
\- leadership and organisation
\- environmental sciences
\- economics
\- civil engineering
\- urban and regional planning
\- political science
\- technology
A degree project or independent project of a minimum 15 credits in one of the main fields of study listed.
Knowledge of Swedish that meets the general entry requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes at Swedish higher education institutions.
English 6.
Objectives
The course aims to provide students with an increased understanding of urban challenges, and how it is possible to create a sustainable society focusing on collaborations between ecological, economic, social and cultural factors. The course provides a broad introduction to the field of sustainable urban development.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• find, compile and present information about urban challenges and potential, both orally and in writing based on ecological, economic, social and cultural aspects relevant to sustainable urban development
• formulate relevant questions limited to sustainable urban development and subsequently draw conclusions with help from relevant concepts and theories
• understand and explain the complexity of modern sustainability challenges faced by cities
• problematise and analyse the needs and interests of various user groups in urban environments, and place these in relation the physical environment, such as built environments, climate, ecological conditions, geographical placement and demographics
• understand and explain the conditions and relationships that exist in cities, the area that surrounds them and rural areas.
Content
The course provides an introduction to urban challenges and links them to national and global targets. To be able to plan for sustainable urban areas, we need to know which possible solutions are available. These will be addressed during the course. The course brings together people from different educational and professional backgrounds, whose skills and knowledge, when combined, contribute to understanding urban areas.
Lectures with researchers and professionals within sustainable urban development place focus on urban situations and the power of change, giving students an insight into current issues. Seminars provide students with insight into current social challenges, enable them to practise presentation techniques and condensing information.
The course includes a number of more comprehensive projects with specialisation in specific themes, in which students will apply the knowledge they have acquired.
Teaching formats:
Critical thinking, problem solving, written and oral communication, cooperation and independence are all basic skills that are trained during the course, alongside time management and independence.
The project is documented and presented through regular submissions. Seminars may be compulsory or give partial credit towards the final examination.
The course includes: lectures, specific literatures, seminars, individual assignments and knowledge tests.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Written reports and individual assignments are the primary examination formats. To pass the course, students must participate in the compulsory components.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The course is given at a 50% pace, with lectures and classes taking place in the afternoon. Teaching is based in Alnarp. Lectures may be held in English if necessary.Responsible department
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management
Further information
Litterature list
Litteraturlista Stadens utmaningar HT25
Obligatorisk litteratur till litteraturseminarium
• Berglund-Snodgrass, L., Fred, M., & Mukhtar-Landgren, D. (2023). In-between stability and adaptability: Making sense of innovation platforms. disP - The Planning Review, 59(2), 22–37.https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2023.2257486
• Campbell, S. D., & Zellner, M. (2020). Wicked Problems, Foolish Decisions: Promoting Sustainability Through Urban Governance in a Complex World Law Review 73(6), 1643–1685.
• Den hala tvålen – verktyg och metoder för social hållbarhet i fysisk planering [Elektronisk resurs]. (2021). Regeringskansliet (kapitel 3,4,7 & 8)
• Gora, M., & Bandolin, G. Vad kostar ett träd? Makadam förlag.
• Hertting, N., & Hellquist, A. (2025). ‘Invited participation’, equity and planning: intentions, processes and institutionalization in Sweden and beyond. European Planning Studies, 33(3), 398-420. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2024.2439561
• IPCC (2023). CLIMATE CHANGE 2023 Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers(42 sidor)
• Jansson, M., Vogel, N. Fors, H., & Randrup, T.B. (2019). The Governance of Landscape Management: New Approaches to Urban Space Development. Landscape Research. 44(8): 952-965.Tillgänglig: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01426397.2018.1536199
• Kaijser, A., & Kronsell, A. (2014). Climate change through the lens of intersectionality. Environmental politics, 23(3), 417-433.
• Latham, A. & Layton, J. (2019). Social infrastructure and the public life of cities: Studying urban sociality and public spaces. Geography Compass. 13:e12444. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12444
• Nationell fysisk planering [Elektronisk resurs]. (2023). Regeringskansliet
• Singh, G. G., Cisneros-Montemayor, A. M., Cottrell, R. S., & Eddy, T. D. (2021). Governing the Land-Sea Interface to Achieve Sustainable Coastal Development. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.709947
• Sowińska-Świerkosz, B. & García, J. (2022). What are Nature-based solutions (NBS)? Setting core ideas for concept clarification. Nature-Based Solutions. Volume 2. ISSN 2772-4115. Tillgänglig: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2022.100009
• Wheeler, S. M., & Beatley, T. (Red.). (2014). Sustainable Urban Development Reader. London: Routledge. Kapitel: The Steady-State Economy’ s. 50-60/55-60 (sidorna varierar beroende på vilken upplaga av boken ni har)
Referenslitteratur till litteraturseminarium
• Allmendinger, P. (2017[2017]). Planning theory. (3rd edition.) London: Palgrave/Macmillan Education.
• Ansell, C.; Torfing, J. (2016): Introduction: theories of governance. In: Handbook on theories of governance. Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Eneqvist, E.; Algehed, J.; Jensen, C.; Karvonen, A. (2022): Legitimacy in municipal experimental governance: questioning the public good in urban innovation practices, European Planning Studies, 30 (8), pp. 1596–1614. doi: 10.1080/09654313.2021.2015749
• Germundsson, T., & Wingren, C. (2017). Kampen om kusten - en ekologisk, ekonomisk och politisk utmaning. I E. Jönsson, & E. Andersson (Eds.)Politisk ekologi. Om makt och miljöer. Studentlitteratur AB. Kap 9. 257-289
• Healey, P. (2005): Collaborative planning. Shaping Places in Fragmented Societies. 2nd edition. Red Globe Press.
• Lepczyk, C. A., Aronson, M. F. J., Evans, K. L., Goddard, M. A., Lerman, S. B., & Macivor, S. (2017) Biodiversity in the City: Fundamental Questions for Understanding the Ecology of Urban Green Spaces for Biodiversity Conservation. BioScience 67(9), 799-807. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix079
• Listerborn, C. (2020) Bostadsotrygghet – det villkorade boendet. I Rönnblom, M., Linander, I. & Sandberg, L. (Red.), (O)tryggt?: texter om makt, plats och motstånd.(s.1-19) [Stockholm]: Premiss.
• Mallory, C. (2013). Environmental Justice, Feminism and PowerI R. Rozzi, S.T.A. Pickett, C. Palmer, J. J. Armesto, & J.B. Callicott (Red.), Linking Ecology and Ethics for a changing World: Values, Philosophy and Action. 251-259. Dordrecht: Springer Science. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-94-007-7470-4
• Nachemson-Ekwall, S. (2020). Sociala obligationer: verktyg för en inkluderande omställning. Stockholm: Global utmaning.
• Nyström, J. & Tonell, L. (2012). Planeringens grunder. Lund: Studentlitteratur
• Randrup, T.B., Svännel, J., Sunding, A., Jansson, M. & Sang, Å.O. (2021). Urban open space management in the Nordic countries. Identification of current challenges based on managers´perceptions. Cities. Tillgänglig: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275121001232
• Soja, E. W. (2010). Seeking spatial justice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Kap 3: Building a spatial theory of justice
• Valentine G. (2008). Living with differences: reflections on geographies of encounter. Progress in Human Geography 32(3): 323-337
• Wheeler, S. M., & Beatley, T. (Red.). (2014). Sustainable Urban Development Reader. London: Routledge. Kapitel "Climate change planning" s. 91-106 sidorna varierar efter vilken upplaga men det är både Stabilization wedges..." och "Towards low carbon urbanism"
• Yngve, L. (2022). Individual Actors Coping with Institutional Complexity Within a State-civil Society Partnership: The Role of Sensemaking. Public Organiz Rev 22, s.1237–1255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-021-00580-y
Litteratur till arbetsblock: Stad, omland & landsbygd
• Carson, D. A., Carson, D. B., & Argent, N. (2022). Cities, hinterlands and disconnected urban-rural development: Perspectives from sparsely populated areas. Journal of Rural Studies, 93, 104–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.05.012
• Copus, A., Kahila, P., & Fritsch, M. (2022). City region thinking, a zombie idea in regional and rural development? Scotland and Finland compared. Journal of Rural Studies, 89, 348–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.11.019
• European Environment Agency. (2016). Urban sprawl in Europe: Joint EEA-FOEN report. [EEA report 11/2016 ]. Kap 1: The increasing concern about urban sprawl in Europe, s. 16-36. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/urban-sprawl-in-europe
• Hagbert, P., Finnveden, G., Fuehrer, P., Svenfelt, Å., Alfredsson, E., Aretun, Å., Bradley, K., Callmer, Å., Fauré, E., Gunnarsson-Östling, U., Hedberg, M., Hornborg, A., Isaksson, K., Malmaeus, M., Malmqvist, T., Nyblom, Å., Skånberg, K. & Öhlund, E. (2018). Framtider bortom BNP-tillväxt [Elektronisk resurs] slutrapport från forskningsprogrammet "Bortom BNP-tillväxt: scenarier för hållbart samhällsbyggande". Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Johansson, S. (Regissör). (2021)Guld och gröna skogar? [Film]. SLU Future Forests
• Larsson, A. (2016: 3). Förtätning av stadskärnor – problem eller möjlighet?Byggnadskultur 3.16. • Relationer mellan stad och land i det regionala stadslandskapet. [Elektronisk resurs]. (2018). Chalmers tekniska högskola AB.
• Lexén, T. (2021). Planning at the edge: aspects on inter-municipal and border related spatial planning in a new Swedish geography. Lic.-avh. Alnarp : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2021. Alnarp.
• Åkerman, A. (2020). En annan landsbygd: Om gestaltad livsmiljö på landsbygden . Rian Designmuseum ( sidorna 8-17, 18-31, 112-121 och 145-150)