AG2185 Higher Seminar in Public Places and Urban Spaces Studies 3.0 credits

The course consists of seminars that deal with different topics within the main theme of the course. The emphasis in the course is on engagement of praticipants, high level of understanding of the allocated compulsory readings, the guest speakers talks, the short exam and the general discussions associated with each respective theme. Additionaly high performance and academic quality is expected in the final essay submissions, presentation, poster or video recordning from each of the participants.

The objective of this course is to provide an advanced colloquium dicussion forum that will reconnect to the major issues in the program with a unique focus on the continuously changing nature of cities and metropolitan regions. Through a number of selected theme seminars the course integrates key issues in urbanism through a fresh theoretical and discourse approach emphasizing the importance of urban space to social life and real estate to the economy and urban development to politics of space and democracy. The students will be expected to present advanced short essays, discuss, debate and argue for their unique viewpoints. Presentations of different themes will be done by KTH faculty and International guests, coupled together with class discussions, will contextualize urbanism today and its range of opportunities and potentials. This higher seminar requires active engagement in discussions and well written essay assignment. The course offers a summary and closing of advanced studies in urbanism.

After completing the course requirements, students should be able:

• To tackle and comprehend the rapid forces of urban change that affect the public realm and the inerrelation of different elements of urbanism: real estate, politics, economy, culture and heritage.
• To demonstrate a deeper understanding of the complex and interrelated issues in urbanism, especially the internal and external factors that compose, shape and transform public spaces.
• To critically analyze the selected theoretical readings and also to theorize spatial practices that emerge from one’s own critical reflection on the subject.
• To develop a critical perspective and standpoint that comes from a deeper understanding of theory, practice, and speculation in this field.

Three years of studies in city urban planning, architecture, town planning, urban design or landscape architecture. This course is not open to international exchange students.

Democracy and Public Space: The Physical Sites of Democratic Performance, John R. Parkinson 2012, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Common Ground: Readings and Reflections on Public Space (The Metropolis and Modern Life) Anthony M. Orum and Zachary P. Neal  2009, London: Routledge.
Public Space: The Management Dimension. Matthew Carmona, Claudio de Magalhães and Leo Hammond (Editors) 2008, London: Routledge
Transcultural Cities: Border-Crossing and Placemaking, 2013 Jeffrey Hou London: Routledge
Reconnecting the City: The Historic Urban Landscape Approach and the Future, 2014 Francesco Bandarin and Ron van Oers, New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Urban Design in the Real Estate Development Process 2011 Steve Tiesdell and David Adams, New York: Wiley-Blackwell.
Space, Place, Life: Learning from Place  Brian Evans (Editor), Frank McDonald 2001 London: Routledge.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• INL2 - Individual Submission (paper, plansch or video), 1.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TEN1 - Written Examination, 2.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Tigran Haas

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.