The Complex City

2025/2026

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Students completing the module acquire the following: 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • Knowledge and understanding of direct and indirect consequences of urban development
  • Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of planning for sustainable urban development
  • Knowledge of one or more fields within urban theory which is based on international academic research
  • Knowledge of theories of science and research methods relevant for conducting research within the field of urban planning
  • Knowledge of the fundamental principles of Problem Based Learning (PBL) as implemented in the Aalborg PBL model at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design

Skills

  • Can identify a relevant research problem within the field of urban planning
  • Can design a research project and use relevant research methods in order to analyse the chosen problem
  • Can justify and substantiate the relevance of the chosen research problem based on urban planning theories on an international academic level 
  • Can analyse and evaluate urban policies and plans in relation to their immediate as well as long-term contribution to sustainable urban development 
  • Can propose an alternative urban policy and evaluate the potential consequences of this policy 
  • Can in relation to urban development impart research-based knowledge and discuss professional and scientific problems with both colleagues and non-specialists
  • Can structure project management activities based on a well-formulated problem formulation

Competences

  • Can independently and critically manage work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solutions
  • Can independently start and carry out subject specific and interdisciplinary cooperation and take a professional responsibility 
  • Can independently take the responsibility for own professional development and specialisation
  • Can reflect on, plan and manage a study project in a PBL learning environment

Type of instruction

Problem-based project work in groups

Exam

Exams

Name of examThe Complex City
Type of exam
Oral exam based on a project
ECTS15
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleDen komplekse by
Module codePGLUPMK17101
Module typeProject
Duration1 semester
SemesterAutumn
ECTS15
Language of instructionEnglish
Empty-place SchemeYes
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Education ownerMaster of Science (MSc) in Engineering (Urban, Energy and Environmental Planning)
Study BoardStudy Board of Planning and Surveying
DepartmentDepartment of Sustainability and Planning
FacultyThe Technical Faculty of IT and Design