Activities

With current socially relevant research topics such as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in cities and through its transdisciplinary research orientation, the Urban Studies working group contributes to the Third Mission of the University of Vienna. Through close cooperation with city administrations, business enterprises and with civil society, an intensive knowledge transfer takes place. Human-environment-technology interactions in cities are addressed and solution and action knowledge for urban sustainability transformations is developed.
Inter- and transdisciplinary research, prioritizes networking and exchange between different actors, branches of science, and civic organizations. By discussing sustainability related topics, in different environments, from teaching to organizing and participating in urban geography events, we strive to construct knowledge bridges that unite a diverse range of actors under common goals.

Outreach

The co-creation of output but also collaboration with other actors is fostered in the working group. We work closely with a wide range of actors from the urban context, such as city administrations, private and non-profit companies, and civil society, and pursue a co-creation approach. This means that we not only research these actors, but actively involve them in the research process. Challenges and problems are identified jointly; approaches to solutions are developed with the help of knowledge from theory and practice. This way, societal challenges can be mastered. Projects Outreach

Co-Creation & Cooperation

Our participation in networks and projects at the University of Vienna as well as in national and international inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives and research projects is an important basis for the joint generation of knowledge.

Projects

Our Urban Studies working group teaches theoretical and methodological knowledge for dealing with urban challenges in different geographical contexts. One focus is on social change processes in the context of human-environment-technology interactions. In particular, integrative process thinking is taught in order to recognize and describe complex interactions and to evaluate them in relation to sustainability criteria (eg. SDGs). A close link between research and teaching takes place here.

Teaching