Potential Thesis Topics in Connection with the Project 'JUSTNature'

27.09.2024, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

The following are potential thesis or study project topics in connection with the action research project JUSTNature. The exact focus and methods can be adapted to each student’s research interests. If you are interested in one of these topics, please contact Eleanor Chapman eleanor.chapman@tum.de or Elizaveta Fakirova liza.fakirova@tum.de.

1. Evolution of urban green infrastructure governance (UGI) in Munich
How has the governance of UGI in Munich evolved over the past decades? Strengths and weaknesses. How might more effective strategies be developed in the future?
Possible methods: Case study analysis, document review, GIS mapping and analysis of existing greening projects, survey.

2. Participatory urban greening beyond the usual suspects: arts and culture as tools to foster diverse engagement
What tools and methodologies from the art and cultural industries are currently used to engage different vulnerable actor groups in the planning, design, implementation and stewardship of urban green space? How could Munich's participation arrangements be reformed for better engagement?
Possible methods: Case study analysis, document review, interviews (or survey), analysis of successful case studies.

3. From schoolyard to nature-based community hub: overcoming barriers to opening up schoolyards What are the obstacles to opening up schoolyards to the public in Munich? How could these be overcome?
Possible methods: Comparative analysis of selected schoolyards that have been opened to the public temporarily, interviews (or survey).

4. Defining and applying criteria for environmentally and socially just schoolyard greening in Munich
How can the nature-based redesign of existing schoolyards in Munich be prioritised, based on principles of environmental justice? What criteria should be taken into account? Based on the case study of a temporary greening project at one school, to what extent are these criteria successfully implemented?
Possible methods: Spatial study of schoolyards citywide OR a detailed case study of one greening intervention, document review, interviews (or survey), participant observation.

5. Greening experiments as catalysts for urban transformation
How can temporary greening interventions be transformed into permanent solutions which benefit different user groups and urban nature? Based on a greening experiment in Munich, what barriers and enablers can be observed? How can reflexive monitoring and evaluation support transformation?
Possible methods: Case study analysis, document review, interviews (or survey), field log, observation.

6. Care, conflict and justice in urban greening politics
To what extent do urban greening experiments foster social cohesion and human-nature-connectedness? How can a greening experiment foster collective concerns for longer-term urban sustainability?
Possible methods: Case study analysis, document review, interviews (or survey), field log, observation.

Kontakt: Eleanor Chapman eleanor.chapman@tum.de or Elizaveta Fakirova liza.fakirova@tum.de

Mehr Information

https://justnatureproject.eu/