Master s Program Environmental Planning

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Master’s Program

Environmental Planning

Study Guide

Technische Universität Berlin

School VI – Planning Building Environment

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

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Master’s Program

Environmental Planning (MEP)

Study Guide

Editor: Technische Universität Berlin

School VI – Planning Building Environment

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Straße des 17. Juni 145, D-10623 Berlin

Edition: January 2009 Online Information at: TU Berlin:

http://www.tu-berlin.de

School VI Planning Building Environment http://www.tu-berlin.de/?id=2166/

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: http://www.ilaup.tu-berlin.de

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A - THE

MASTER’S

PROGRAM

OF

ENVIRONMENTAL

P

LANNING

1. Our Mission

The aim of the Master of Environmental Planning program is to capacitate our students for the current and future challenges the rapid development of our environment poses.

Through an interdisciplinary program of teaching and research as well as varied cooperation with public and private actors we impart the means and the knowledge which qualify excellent environmental planners.

The outstanding expertise of our faculty with differing foci on environmental planning - landscape planning, environmental assessment and policy, geoinformation processing, and the economics of environmental protection – allow students and faculty to engage in the intellectual, policy, and practice aspects of environmental planning.

We are able to provide a unique study environment which benefits from the exceptional choice of higher education institutions, the multitude of research and development facilities in the region and the fact that the city of Berlin is the political, cultural, and academic hub of Germany.

2. Profile and Structure

Environmental Planning

In recent times more and more environmental concerns have reached the public attention: from the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, a new competition in land-use demands, and the decrease of biodiversity, to the growth of urban areas which consume open spaces with consequences for humans and nature.

These trends present challenges to our society which appear locally as well as globally, in rural as well as in urban areas and in every country. Environmental Planning provides means and procedures to deal with these pressing challenges. It aims at organizing our needs and demands in the environment in an efficient and environmentally conscious way to ensure sustainable development.

Environmental planning is embedded in a network of international, national and local policies and regulations and operates at the interface of natural and social sciences, ecology, politics and economics. Practitioners in this suspenseful field contribute in various ways to the protection and deliberate use of our environment.

The role of environmental planners has increased with mandates for environmental impact assessment on various levels in which planners have a pivotal role in bridging between specialists and decision makers. Equally environmental planners are called upon to develop environmental plans which are used to inspire more ecologically informed land use plans and help mitigate the unintended effects of developments.

In this way environmental planners work in a variety of professional settings, including private planning firms operating nationally and internationally; ministries and high-level administrations; non-governmental organizations; international development agencies, and academic institutions such as universities, research facilities or scholarly consulting firms. The demand for well-trained practitioners in environmental assessment at both the project and the strategic level and in environmental planning and management continues to grow. There is an estimated range of about 20.000 -40.000 Environmental Impact Assessments carried out per year in the European Union. In order to help meeting this demand the Master

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of Environmental Planning aims at providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become successful professionals in this arena.

The Master’s Program

The Master of Environmental Planning is a two-year program for students with a strong background in Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Spatial Planning, Geography, Geo Sciences, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Politics, Regional Sciences or related disciplines.

The program provides a thorough education in landscape planning and environmental assessment, the economics of environmental protection and conservation, and the application of geoinformation and remote sensing methods.

The basic knowledge in these fields is conveyed in mandatory modules in the first term. It is deepened and expanded in the two study projects which form the core of the program. In each project, students will work in small groups on a research topic involving an innovative planning task in a practically-oriented manner.

This work in the projects trains students in management, communication and analytical skills – expertise which is essential for planners and highly valued by employers.

The large number of choices complementing the mandatory core modules allows for a specialization according to the individual desires. Since the program is closely geared to the master’s programs of Landscape Architecture and Urban Ecosystem Sciences, exchange with these programs is guaranteed.

The program is internationally oriented, which means that the mandatory core classes and some of the choice courses are taught in English. Thus, it will become a vivid platform for meeting and interaction between German and foreign students in the field of environmental planning. The contacts students will be able to establish will endure after graduation, and will prove beneficial in their future careers.

With the Master of Environmental Planning the students are offered a program which is highly innovative and stringent, but at the same time is enjoyable, and leaves much room for personal development opportunities.

2.1 Program Structure

The program has been structured so that the acquisition of theories and techniques of environmental planning is achieved while developing analytic research and team management skills. The program consists of a core element where the content is mandatory and an additional element where choices according to the personal preference can be made. The program concludes with the master’s thesis. With the completion of all requirements the degree Master of Science is awarded.

The whole program covers 120 credit points (ECTS) which are divided as follows:

Mandatory:

Study Projects 24 ECTS

Core Modules 24 ECTS

Master’s Thesis 30 ECTS

Choice:

Environmental Planning 12 ECTS

Related Fields 18 ECTS

Liberals 12 ECTS

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The graphic below shows the chronological structure of the program and where which modules are scheduled. To be able to complete the program in two years this scheme has to be followed. For students studying part-time the schedule will be different.

Language

The program is designed to be open to national and international students. Therefore at least the core classes are taught in English. Nevertheless a number of choice modules offered are taught in German. Students starting the program do not necessarily have to have far reaching German skills. They should be willing to expand their German skills throughout the program, however. There are classes offered at the Central Institute for Languages at the TU which can count as Choice Modules.

Teaching and Learning Design

The program adopts a combination of different teaching and learning methods. This includes study projects, integrated courses, tutorials, seminars and the thesis.

The study projects (PJ) provide the opportunity for experience oriented work in small groups on a research question respectively a tangible planning task. Over and above students are able to exercise and improve their project management skills and capacity for teamwork which are essential for practitioners in environmental planning and assessment. The majority of modules are offered as integrated courses (IV) which include combined elements of lectures, tutorials, seminars and field trips. The integrated courses combine theoretical information with practically-oriented elements designed to provide the essential knowledge of the respective topic.

2.2 Core Modules

The core modules will provide the basic knowledge and skills in the four main fields of the program. They have to be taken

by every student and are scheduled in the first term. The core modules will create the basis on which the study projects in the second and third term will build upon.

Landscape Planning

Module MA UP P1 (6 credits)

The module provides students with the ability to apply formal and informal instruments of landscape and environmental planning. They are able to assess performance, perspectives and need for improvement of those instruments. Students will also become acquainted with

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the specifics of the German landscape and environmental planning system and will contrast them with those in other states, especially in Europe. Another focus is put on recent developments in politics and their relevance for landscape and environmental planning.

Environmental Assessment

The module covers the instruments Impact Mitigation Regulation, Habitats Directive Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment and the Strategic Environmental Assessment in the German as well as in the European and international context. It will enable students to apply these instruments of environmental assessment in practice and master the specialist requirements on content and process. The module will present recent national and international developments of and requirements for the respective instruments and will provide the opportunity to present and discuss actual research topics and projects.

Economic Analysis of Environmental Policies

The module will provide students with the ability to apply approaches of new institutional economics in environmental policy problems and develop courses of action independently. Students will be enabled to realize the relevance of the institutional framework of landscape planning and environmental policy in contrast to other sectoral policies and in the international context. The existing scientific approaches for the analysis will be discussed regarding their theoretical foundations and their methodological procedures. With the competition students will be capable of identifying research needs and developing initial approaches for their enhancement.

Geoinformation Systems

This module will qualify students for solving complex questions of environmental planning by means of geoinformation systems (GIS) independently. Students will learn to gather primary data supported by mobile GPS devices and to apply GIS as an instrument for landscape assessment, forecasts and visualization. The module will enable to critically appraise the potentials and limitations of GIS procedures and methods and to identify and formulate research topics of future concern using GIS.

Master Colloquium

MA UP P 5 (3 credits)

The master colloquium will prepare for the master’s thesis which will be subject of the following (fourth) term. In the colloquium students will develop their individual topics for the master’s thesis and prepare a preliminary structure of the work. The results will be presented and discussed in the colloquium. In addition students will get to know methods of scientific work and their practical application which will be tried out in short exercises.

2.3 Study Projects

The study projects are part of the core element of the program and are scheduled for the second and third term. They are designed to provide the opportunity of experience oriented work in small groups. Each project group deals with a research question respectively a

planning task related to one or more of the four thematic fields which constitute the program. The topics of the projects offered differ from term to term and the tasks and questions reflect

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the current discussions and innovations in the broad field of environmental planning. Over and above the projects present the chance to exercise and improve one’s project management skills and capacity for teamwork which are essential for practitioners in environmental planning.

Examples of previous study projects in the diploma degree program: • Die "Grüne Gaswirtschaft" macht die Uckermark energieautark:

Landschaftsökologische Implikationen des Großprojektes. (winter term 2008/09 & summer term 2009)

• Zwischenstadt und Siedlungsbrei - Landschaftsentwicklung in suburbanen Regionen. (winter term 2008/09)

• blau versus grün - Gewässerrenaturierung zwischen Wasserwirtschaft und Naturschutz. (summer term 2008)

2.4 Choice Modules

A large portion of the program is designed to be filled with choice modules. Here students can choose from a wide list of courses. The choice element is divided into modules from the field of environmental planning, modules from related disciplines and modules that can be chosen from every discipline at any

university in Berlin. In each of these three groups of modules a certain number of credits have to be achieved. The list below show the range of courses in each group and the number of credits required.

Choice Modules - Environmental Planning

A choice of modules with a total of 12 credits has to be completed.

Landscape Planning and Society

MA UP WP1 (6 credits)

Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment

MA UP WP 2 (6 credits)

International Environmental Policy Analysis

Remote Sensing of Environment

Choice Modules - Related Fields

A choice of modules with a total of 18 credits has to be taken.

Waste and Environment

Waste Problems in Developing Countries

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Environmental Law

Land Policy

Local and Regional Planning

Legal Basis of Urban Planning

Methods of Social Science Research

MA UP WP (6 credits)

Building History and Construction in Landscape Architecture

MA LA 1.2 (5 credits)

Spatial Order

MA LA 1.3 (4 credits)

Contemporary Landscape Architecture 1&2

LA WP 3.1a/3.1b (6 credits)

Soil and Assessment Methods

Ö WP 5 (6 credits)

Water Sciences II

Department of Civil Engineering (6 credits)

Water Resource Management

Department of Civil Engineering (6 credits)

Limnology I

Department of Environmental Technology (6 credits)

Local and Regional Planning

Department of Urban and Regional Planning (16 credits in several courses)

Urban Development and Housing

Planning Theory

Ecological Engineering and Vegetation Technique

LA WP 7 (6 credits)

Landscape and Garden Heritage

LA WP 6 (3 credits)

Infrastructure I

Department of Land and Sea Transport Systems (6 credits)

Road Design out of Urban Areas

Department of Land and Sea Transport Systems (6 credits)

Choice Modules - Liberals

A choice of modules with a total of 12 credits has to be taken. Courses can be chosen from the offer of all universities in Berlin.

Furthermore it is recommended if there are deficiencies in one or more of the core fields of the program to take the respective introductory undergraduate modules as preparatory classes. These modules will count as Choice Modules in the Liberals part.

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The table below shows the recommended modules from the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning program. Please notice that these modules are entirely taught in German.

If there are specific questions or uncertainties if you need one of these introductory classes please feel free to contact the responsible faculty member.

Core Field

(Master) Module (Bachelor) Credits Term

Landscape Planning

BA UP P 1 Einführung in die Landschaftsplanung und Umweltprüfung (Introduction

to Landscape Planning and Environmental Assessment)

2 parts with each 2 credits

part I - winter term part II - summer term Environmental Assessment Geoinformation Systems BA UP P 2 Einführung in die Geoinformationsverarbeitung (Introduction to Geoinformation Processing) 2 courses – part I with 2 credits and part II with 3 credits

part I & II – winter term

Environmental Economics BA UP P 3 Einführung in die Umwelt- und Naturschutzökonomie (Introduction to

Environmental and Nature Protection Economics)

2 parts with each 2 credits

part I - winter term part II - summer term

2.5 Master’s Thesis

In the fourth term of the program each student prepares a thesis on an approved topic which is discussed and chosen during the master’s thesis colloquium in the third term. The master’s thesis is a 27 credits task.

The thesis serves the purpose to demonstrate the

student’s ability to structure an argument surrounding a topic or problem significant to planning practice, planning theory or the profession itself. The goal is to present a scientific analysis from the definition of a problem, via an analysis that ends into academic conclusions. The thesis is an individual study on an issue of the students own choice related to one of the program’s topics. Each student is supervised by a member of the faculty.

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3. People

3.1 Faculty

The Master of Environmental Planning at the Technische Universität Berlin is primarily defined by four Research Groups within the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. These four Research Groups and their faculty are diverse in their interests, backgrounds, and education, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of environmental planning. Their specialties include environmental and land economics, geoinformation and remote sensing, landscape and environmental planning and development as well as environmental assessment and policy.

Faculty Members (in alphabetical order)

Prof. Dr. Volkmar Hartje

Professor of Environmental and Land Economics

Prof. Dr. Stefan Heiland

Professor of Landscape Planning and Development

Prof. Dr. Birgit Kleinschmit

Professor of Geoinformation Processing for Landscape and Environmental Planning

Prof. Dr. Johann Köppel

Professor of Environmental Assessment and Policy

The core faculty teaching in the Master of Environmental Planning are part of a team of more than 70 full-time professors and about 200 research associates and lecturers affiliated in the School of Planning-Building-Environment who are committed to teaching, research and practice. A number of these professors and lecturers offer courses as adjunct faculty within the Master of Environmental Planning program where students will benefit from their specialist knowledge and professional experience in the subject areas they teach.

Adjunct Faculty (in alphabetical order)

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Nina Baur, Department of Sociology, Empirical Methods

Prof. Dr. Brigitte Fahrenhorst, Department Landscape Architecture and Environmental

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Prof. Undine Giseke, Department Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning,

Landscape Architecture / Open Space Design

Prof. Dr. M. Kaupenjohann, Department of Ecology, Soil Science Prof. Dr. I. Kowarik, Department of Ecology, Ecosystem / Plant Ecology

Prof. Dr. Norbert Kühn, Department Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning,

Ecological Engineering

Prof. Cordula Loidl-Reisch, Department Landscape Architecture and Environmental

Planning, (Landschafts/Objektbau)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. S. Mitschang, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Local-, Regional-

and Federal State Planning

Prof. Dr. G. Wessolek, Department of Ecology, Site Evaluation / Soil Protection Prof. Dr. Dr. B.-M. Wilke, Department of Ecology, Refuse Burden on the Landscape

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4. Requirements & Application

4.1 Entry Requirements

Degree Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Environmental Planning have to hold an undergraduate degree (Bachelor or Diplom) from a recognized University in one of the following fields:

· Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture (Landschaftsplanung und Landschaftsarchitektur)

· Urban and Regional Planning, Spatial Planning (Stadt- und - Regionalplanung, Raumplanung)

· Geography, Geo Sciences (Geographie, Geowissenschaften)

· Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences (Biologie, Ökologie, Umweltwissenschaften)

· Politics, Regional Sciences (Politik-, Regionalwissenschaften)

· or related disciplines

Language Requirements

English

All applicants have to prove their English skills with results from standardized tests. Exempted from this requirement are only students whose first language is English. Students need to have a minimum score of:

· 64 or more (Internet-based TOEFL-Test) or

· 180 or more (Computer-based TOEFL-Test) or

· 507 or more (Paper-based TOEFL-Test) or

· equivalent IELTS-score of Level 3 German

Students whose first language is not German are required to prove their basic German language competence. Students need to have a minimum score of:

· TestDAF (test of German as a foreign language) provided the marks of the 4 subtests add up to a final mark of 16, whereby at least a mark of 3 must be achieved in each TestDaF level or

· DSH (German language university entrance examination) with a result of DSH-2 or DSH-3 or

· ‘Große’ or ‘Kleine Deutsche Sprachdiplom’ or

· ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung) of the Goethe-Institute or

· German language diploma from the ‘Kultusministerkonferenz’ (DSD) level II or

· Qualification from a German language Gymnasium (language of instruction: German)

or

· Degree in German studies (B.A. / M.A. German Language) or

· Degree in translation or teaching German – main subject: German Application 4.2 Application

Application Process

The enrollment for the Master’s Program of Environmental Planning is only in the winter term (mid October).

The deadline for application is each year on July 15 for the following winter term. For the coming winter term 2009/10 the application deadline is July 15th 2009.

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After the university has received all applications a screening whether the entry requirements are met or not takes place. If everything is OK the letter of acceptance will be send out during the summer.

Application Documents

The following documents have to be included in the application:

· Application form or online application

· Certified copies of degree certificates and official transcripts of the results of all undergraduate courses

· a narrative curriculum vitae

· References of internships and professional experience

· Official score reports for English and German language test, if applicable The application has to be directed to the TU Admissions Office.

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5. Finance

5.1 Costs

Enrollment fees

No tuition fees are charged for the program. However, upon enrollment you have to pay a fee per semester that is composed of the social contribution to the student union (€ 30.68, € 46.02, or € 76.69 depending on how long you have already been a student), a contribution to the student body (currently € 5.81) and the enrollment fee (€ 50). Furthermore, you pay for a public transportation ticket (€ 154 plus a social contribution of € 2.10). This adds up to a minimum of € 242.59 and a maximum of € 288.60.

Housing & Living

Your expenses for housing and living in Berlin will depend on your life style and personal preferences. Berlin allows you to live quite well on a modest budget as affordable housing is widely available. Figure an average of €200 for your housing and € 300 to € 400 for your living expenses.

Health Insurance

If you are not insured through a private health insurance in your home country and if you are not an EU citizen or you do not come from a country that has signed a social security agreement with Germany, you need to figure approximately € 60 per month for basic student health coverage.

Summary

Type Average per semester

Matriculation fees € 240

Housing and Living € 3000

Health insurance € 360

Total € 3600

5.2 Financial Aid

Jobs

The contributing Research Groups offer research and teaching assistantships to gifted students. Interested students have to file their application to the Professors who decides upon acceptance. Working hours range between 40h/month (more common) and 80h/month, paid € 10.98 per hour.

Job openings are generally posted online, on the bulletin boards, and are distributed via email newsletter.

Scholarships

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarshipsand helpful information on studying in Germany: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/index.en.html

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Friedrich Ebert Foundation: http://www.fes.de/

Friedrich Naumann Foundation: http://www.fnst-freiheit.org/webcom/show_article.php/_c-705/i.html

Konrad Adenauer Foundation: http://www.kas.de/wf/en/

Hanns Seidel Foundation: http://www.hss.de/homepage-e.shtml

German National Academic Foundation: http://www.studienstiftung.de/start.html?&L=1

Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD): http://www.kaad.de/english/inhalt_e.htm

Church Development Service (EED): http://www.eed.de/en/

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6. Service & Facilities

The Technical University Berlin provides a range of excellent facilities and student support services. The following list is a brief compilation.

Library

The TU Berlin University Library gives access to more than 2.2 million printed books and digital items pertaining to all subjects taught at the University. The new central library opened in 2005 in the VOLKSWAGEN-Haus and the five department libraries provide excellent study and research environments.

http://www.ub.tu-berlin.de/index.php?id=555

IT Services

For the special software and hardware needs of the students in the Master of Environmental Planning Program the computer pool of the Department provides PC workstations, with scanners, printers and plotters. The computers are equipped with MS Office and the prevalent CAD, GIS, graphic and statistic programs.

http://www.cip29.tu-berlin.de/

The tubIT provides IT-services supporting teaching and research. http://www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/menue/it-service-center/

Languages

The ZEMS (Zentraleinrichtung Moderne Sprachen) offers a wide range of language classes of different levels for all students. The offer comprises English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and German for non-native speakers. For students in a planning related field special courses are taught which provide specialized vocabulary and information on the field.

http://www.zems.tu-berlin.de/allgemeines/home/

Student Life

Accommodation

The Studentenwerk Berlin provides more than 40 student residences with over 10,500 accommodations which are located in different parts of the city. In addition Berlin has a sizable stock of affordable private accommodation for rent.

http://www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/index.html Sports

The TU Berlin provides with the ZEH (Zentraleinrichtung Hochschulsport) a vibrant campus sports program and a variety of health and fitness classes.

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7. Contact

Technische Universität Berlin Sekr. EB 5

Straße des 17. Juni 145 D-10623 Berlin

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8. FAQs

Do you organize an open house where I have the opportunity to meet faculty and students and learn about the program before applying?

On the last Friday of each lecture period we organize an open house where students from all study projects present their results (Bachelor and Master). Furthermore a colloquium with guest speakers followed by a discussion takes place in the afternoon. The day concludes with a student organized party. These events take place at the end of the winter and of the summer lecture period and are a good opportunity to meet students and faculty, to see the building and the rooms and to learn about the Master’s program. The exact dates of the open house will be posted on the website in advance.

Can I apply for the program if I have not yet finished my Bachelor degree but will have graduated at the time of the start of the Master’s program?

You can apply before you have finished your Bachelor degree if you have completed 150 of the 180 credit points the Bachelor program comprises at the time you apply.

Is it possible to study part-time in the Master of Environmental Planning program?

It is possible to study part-time in the Master of Environmental Planning program. The schedule of course has to be adjusted depending on the number of modules that will be taken each term.

When will I find out if I am accepted into the Master of Environmental Planning program?

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Master s Program Environmental Planning

Master’s Program

Environmental Planning

Study Guide

Technische Universität Berlin

School VI – Planning Building Environment

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

Master’s Program

Environmental Planning (MEP)

Study Guide

Table of contents

A - THE

MASTER’S

PROGRAM

OF

ENVIRONMENTAL

P

LANNING

1. Our Mission

2. Profile and Structure

3. People

4. Requirements & Application

5. Finance

6. Service & Facilities

7. Contact

8. FAQs

B - A

PPENDIX