Module

Voraussetzungen

Inhalte

Introduction: This course offers the opportunity to learn about understanding complexity, using the simulation game “ecopolicy®” based on real life data and interconnections of a country or a city. The approach is means not only to simulate changes in individual factors and give insights into the overall dynamics of such an area, but allows the evaluation of ecologically relevant measures and changes in densely populated areas and provides practicable decision making aids. The experiences made in the course will be applicable to future own complex planning and management tasks. The aim is to offer an instrument which will in principle apply for all spheres of the human ecological system. The biocybernetic approach has been developed by Prof. Frederic Vester (Founder of the Study Group for Biology and Environment in Munich from 1970-2003) on the basis of biological principles and has been applied to quite many different problems of our interconnected world. Exercise (obligatory): Based on a first block of information students will start collecting relevant environmental information from their home town’s urban system as a basis to establish an own aggregated model of their region or city. After the 2nd block they will apply this information to derive relations which feed their own systems simulation. The outcomes will be presented and discussed in the last block.

Lernziele

After a general introduction, students will be made familiar with the interconnected loops of urban development in economic and social terms and their respective environmental reactions. They will learn to understand what makes systems stable (“bio-cybernetic rules”). Simple simulation models will help to understand reduction of complexity. Students will be supported to apply system-oriented tools and principles to their own municipal or governmental background. Using practical tools like a “paper computer” and an interactive simulation game allows them to recognize the interactions of concrete problems and their dynamics in order to develop new solutions.

Prüfungsleistung

• Written examination, 80 min. (60 %) • Exercises results (40 %)

Bemerkungen

Complementary module ERM Master summer semester 2016 The course is limited to 40 students per semester! Personal registration is necessary. Additional information is given in the first lecture.