„Special issues of landscape development: planning ethics“ is a brand new seminar engaging students in identifying and critically evaluating issues related to justice and ethics in connection with spatial planning. Ethical aspects and questions of justice are rarely addressed explicitly in planning, and the values and norms underlying planning decisions usually remain hidden. Yet spatial planning in particular always raises moral questions. What goals and ideals should guide us in landscape development? What (moral) responsibility do we bear as professional planners? What issues of social justice are involved? And what about other living beings? 

In this course, we will discuss norms, values and morals using selected spatial planning case studies. The aim is to analyse the current situation, identify the moral issue underlying the conflict, and analyse, evaluate and weigh up the existing arguments. Students will communicate their acquired knowledge by producing a podcast episode. 

Kick-Off: Tuesday 14.04.2026 at 13.00. Find out more here.

The seminar “Communication and participation in planning” combines hands-on training in communication and moderation techniques with theoretical background to equip students with skills to actively engage participants, as well as to reflect critically on the value and the risks of participatory planning and design processes. Engaging others is fundamental to the success of planning and design. Yet things can and often do go wrong in communication and participation. What determines whether and how our plans are understood and implemented? What skills do planners need to convey their ideas and concepts exactly as intended? How do we prevent our plans from polarizing groups and being instrumentalised by political actors? And if that happens anyway, how do we deal with it? 

In this seminar, we will actively explore and seek answers to the core issues of human communication. Through input from the lecturers, reflection exercises and experiencing firsthand various communication strategies and facilitation techniques, students will develop knowledge and competence in successful communication and participation. The final exam takes the form of a co-produced role play. 

Kick-Off: Tuesday 21.04.2026 at 13.30. Find out more here.