Course syllabus
BOM210 BOM210 Urban space and functions lp3 VT25 (6 hp)
The course is offered by the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Course-PM
Information concerning the course can be found in the course PM.
Contact details
The main teachers responsible for the course are:
- Sebastien Rauch, Full Professor - Examiner and main responsible teacher.
sebastien.rauch@chalmers.se
- Leonardo Rosado, Associate Professor - Co-responsible teacher.
rosado@chalmers.se
The course also involves lecturers and project supervisors. Contact details will be provided when relevant.
Zoom link
The lectures will be streamed in Zoom using the following link.
https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/62220404212 Password: BOM210
Please note that the lectures will not be recorded and it will not be possible for those attending online to ask questions during the lectures.
Course evaluation and representatives
BOM210 follows course evaluation process at Chalmers. This includes a final course evaluation for all students, as well as meeting with course representatives. The first two meetings are planned during the course (weeks 2 and 5), as well as a third meeting after the course is completed. You can contact the course representatives below if you have any feedback.
TISAM Gustav Afzelius
TAFFS Hezhé Amin
TAFFS Lucas Berggren
TKSAM Maja Ludvigsson
TKSAM Albin Söderholm
TISAM Elias Van De Moosdijk Mulatu
Course purpose
BOM210 is an introduction to the subject area Urban Planning and Infrastructure (samhällsplanering och infrastruktur). It aims therefore at providing the knowledge base in this area focusing especially on the built environment and technical systems in urban areas. It aims to give a professional-oriented insight on how socio-technical systems work and can be planned through a case study.
Schedule
The schedule, including lectures, assignment and project submission deadlines, project supervision, and presentation are provided here: Course schedule 2025.
The schedule includes study time (for you to work on your assignment or study/read the course material) and unsupervised project work (for you to work on the project and prepare the group assignments).
The schedule is also available in TimeEdit
Course literature
The course uses material available online, including municipal documents (e.g. comprehensive plan, detailed development plans, municipal strategies). All material will be provided.
Course design
The course is based on a problem-based learning progression that aims at providing a broader understanding of urban planning and systems. The course is designed as a case study with supporting lectures and is composed of 2 parts.
Part 1 - lectures. The lectures aim to provide basic knowledge relevant to urban planning and infrastructures in urban areas. The lectures are given in 2 sets, i.e. course week 1 focuses on urban planning and course week 2 focuses on infrastructures and urban systems.
Part 2 - group project. The group project is a case study done in groups of ca. 6 students. The case study, which is performed in groups and based on an existing area in the Gothenburg region, will provide an opportunity to apply basic skills needed for the development and operation of urban infrastructure and systems. The course also provides an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with planning and systems in Gothenburg.
Changes made since the last occasion
The course remains mainly similar to the last course occasion. Only minor changes were made, including the availability of the lectures online and a larger report in the group project.
Learning objectives and syllabus
Learning objectives:
- Describe the objects, systems and actors relevant to urban planning, including the roles of engineers and the forms of collaboration.
- Describe the planning, construction and operation of urban developments and technical systems, and their relation to the engineering process.
- Describe the most important rules, norms, laws and policies applicable in urban planning, infrastructure development and environment.
- Describe the different types of urban typologies, and explain how urban sprawl and densification affect infrastructure planning.
- Describe the most important urban infrastructures (energy, transportation, water and wastewater, waste management and the urban environment) and their role and consequences in society.
- Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of urban development and infrastructure from a sustainability perspective, where social and equality aspects, economic aspects and environmental and work environment aspects are differentiated and integrated.
- Plan for temporal and spatial changes in socio-technical systems, and explain the significance of this for the sustainability of the built environment.
- Describe in general terms the city's water and wastewater systems and explain how to plan sustainable water supply and sewerage in the built environment.
- Describe in general terms how to plan mobility and transport in the city, and explain how different choices of transport infrastructure affects mobility and access to services.
- Evaluate in a simplified manner how traffic noise and ground vibrations from transportation affect human health and wellbeing and their implications for urban planning.
- Describe in general terms the city's waste systems and explain how to design sustainable waste management in the built environment.
- Motivate the importance of reducing CO2 emissions and suggest climate adaptation measures for the built environment.
- Consider general ethical issues in urban planning and construction, e.g. cost vs. sustainable technologies.
- Read and use technical texts and scholarly articles in a conscious, critical and effective manner.
- Sift through, collate and summarize the information gathered, and explain and describe the subject content.
- Know the basic communication factors and adapt these to oral and written communication situations.
- Introduce and clearly explain a subject in way which is adapted to the communication situation.
- Describe factors for teamwork in a diverse group and evaluate one's own effort with focus on equality, inclusion and diversity.
Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen:
Examination form
To pass the course students are required to attend the lectures, pass the exam (dugga) and actively participate in the group work (including attending supervised group meetings and the final presentation).
The exam consists of questions designed to examine the general knowledge and specific knowledge of various urban functions and infrastructures described in the lectures, as well as examine the ability to synthesize and reflect on this knowledge. The exam includes specific questions (multiple choice and open) and an essay question in which students are asked to write a short text. The exam will take place on 17/02. Further details will be provided during the course.
The group work aims to synthesize and reflect on the knowledge given in the course. The group work, as well as the information and communication part, are examined in the final poster presentation and the final report.
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|