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

BOM210 Course PM 2026.pdf

 

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/64617658039 

You need to be logged in to access the lectures in Zoom. To log in, use the link to the Zoom above. When you reach the log in page, select SSO to log in with your Chalmers ID (cid). We recommend that you check in advance that this works.

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). A third meeting will be held after the course is completed. You can contact the course representatives if you have any feedback. In addition, the final output of the project is a group report.

The names of course representatives will be provided as soon as available.

 

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 is provided here, including lectures, assignment and project submission deadlines, project supervision, and presentation. The schedule also includes time booked for self study and working on the project assignments.

BOM210 Course schedule 2026.pdf

 

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. Additional lectures focus on acoustics and language.

Part 2 - project. The project is a case study done in groups of ca. 6 students. The project, which is based on an existing area in Gothenburg, will provide an opportunity to apply basic skills needed for the development and operation of urban infrastructure and systems. in general, the course also provides an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with planning and systems in Gothenburg.

 

Changes made since the last occasion (2025)

The project has been modified to include 2 parts. In the first part, students work individually on a specific topic. In the second part, students with different topics are placed in groups to discuss the relevance of the topics for a specific detailed development plan. The project will therefore also include an individual grade. In addition, the project deliverable is a report instead of a poster.

 

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

The aim of the course translates into the following learning outcomes, which provide further details of the objectives of the course. Students having passed the course are expected to be able to:

• 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 gender equality, equal treatment and diversity (JLM), economy, environment and work environment 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.

Sustainable development is a central aspect of city planning and a motivation for change; it is therefore also an important part of the course.

 

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen:

https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/find-course-and-programme-syllabi/course-syllabus/BOM210/?acYear=2025/2026

 

Examination form

To pass the course students are required to attend the lectures, pass the exam (dugga), submit an individual project report, 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 13/02. 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 presentation and the final report. Individual reports which are included in the group report will be graded individually. The final presentation in on 13/03.