The course is designed as a project centred on contemporary planning issues in a specific urban area within the greater Stockholm region – it can be development or transformation of an area, public spaces, intermediate zones, sprawl, transportation or green areas. In the project, proposals for action both in terms of the physical environment and the planning process will be developed. The different project groups may choose to make detailed local proposals in the study area or more regional strategies. The project work is conducted in small groups, however, with individual assignments including an oral exam where the project is presented and defended.
The students are expected to apply and develop theories and methods brought up in previous courses – forecasting, theories on power and democracy, tools for sustainable planning etc. The focus of the course will be on making synthesis and methods for practical urban planning projects. Furthermore, the groups are to analyse how their project proposals relate to different social groups, key stakeholders, environmental impact and politics.
The project is conducted by the students fairly independently where lectures and seminars will serve as inspiration and guidance. There will be organised study visits, however, the students are largely responsible for conducting in-depth fieldwork, interviews, literature studies and investigations themselves. However, there will be recurrent supervision meetings as well as discussion with invited guest critics.