The class "Exploding Cities: Housing in Rapidly Urbanizing Countries" introduces students to a wide variety of problems that arise with strong urban population growth and possible government responses, with a particular focus on low-income housing settlements and the adequate supply of infrastructure and services there.

The class exposes students to the wide field of public policy making and shelter strategies in developing countries’ cities, with an emphasis on the ways in which city administrators and urban planners can still the most basic needs of an exponentially growing population.

The class is structured into four thematic blocks:
(i) roots of the housing problem;
(ii) preventing the surge of new slums;
(iii) financial and legal implications;
(iv) dealing with existing slums; and is concluded by an additional closing session.

Students will learn valuable tools for describing, analyzing, and presenting policy and planning issues. They will also learn the pros and cons of different responses and how to develop adequate ones.
Furthermore, the course teaches how to write office memorandums that are an essential means of communication in development and public works projects.

Teaching methods include lecture, class discussion, case studies, use of video and other modern media, student presentations, individual and group work, as well as role-plays.

The advanced MSc. course in Urban Planning has begun in 2007. All information about the career can be retrieved from the web page 'www.urban-studies.de'

Individual one-week thematic modules may be attended by a limited number of undergraduate students if space is available. For details see the PAR notive board. Time input for each course is one week full time plus weekend (50 Hrs), for wchich 2 ECTS are being awarded.

The same modules may also bee booked and acknowleged for the continious education credits requested by the German chamber of architects (further information through the secretariat, Tel. 06151 163637.