Emerging from debates on post-colonial and non-Western urban/ regional studies, comparative approaches for planning research have (re)gained in prominence and application. According to Jennifer Robinson, the ‘tactic’ of comparative urbanism aims for a ‘more global urban studies’ by ‘building theory from many different starting points’ beyond the traditional epicenters of urban theory production. Beyond the urban alone, also regional/ territorial studies and planning have experienced a (re-) emergence of comparative approaches. Independent form scales and geographies, comparative research on/for planning is not simply a call for more research elsewhere, but comparisons have the potential to distinctly challenge and thus advance theory and practice through differences, through the margins, through plurality. A plurality of theories, practices, backgrounds, and perspectives is already found in the diversity of SPRING students, who will collaboratively explore, present and discuss contemporary comparative approaches, tactics, and methods in urban/ regional studies and planning over the period of this preparatory exercise course. Pre-existing experiences that students bring from their cities, regions, undergraduate studies, and jobs will feed into the course, which will be paired with a mix of literature readings, explorative walks, group presentations, and guest lectures. Ultimately, students ideate and draft potential research/ projects ideas for comparative investigations into specific topics and/ or geographies, in line with the annual theme of the related M-Project in the following semester.
- Lehrende:r: Moritz Kasper