AIT Virtual Learning Environment

The objective of this course is to provide an overall introduction to the essential methodologies, approaches and tools for socio-spatial analysis research. Students will learn some of the key theoretical and conceptual perspectives behind the many different ways of conducting research. Later in the in-class tutorial and practice session, students will learn to how to gather and work with urban socio-spatial databases to study issues related to urban planning, environmental and resource management, using computerized data management system such as geographic information system (GIS).

The major objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the field of urban planning and its application in designing and managing urban built-environment. The course will cover theories and practices of the modern city planning and then examines several planning subtopics – such as land use, community design and development, and the idea of urban sustainability – in light of some basic dimensions of urban analysis such as historical, economic, political, social, cultural, and spatial issues.

The thesis seminar prepares UEM second-year students for developing their own master thesis. The students will receive counseling in how to formulate a comprehensive research proposal and conduct the individual research project for their master thesis. Part of the course will be based on work in groups, where the students will present and comment each other’s proposals and reports, revise these with regards to the feedback from fellow students and teacher, before it is submitted for final approval. Course goals and learning objectives are; 1) completing the research; 2) completing a thesis; and 3) being successful in degree.