CHRISTOPH MAURICE BOSCHER in Istanbul (September 2024)
Home university, department:
University of applied sciences Weihenstephan Triesdorf, Germany
Faculty of Landscape Architecture
Course of studies:
Landscape Architecture
SURE event attended:
SURE Summer School ‘URBAN + COAST’, in Istanbul, Türkiye
Date of SURE event attended:
2-8 September 2024
Contribution to SURE event (format/topic):
Presentation about the learnings from the summer school, answering guiding questions about typical and specific problems of urban ecology and climate change issues. Also personal feelings and critics on the week.
Please share in few sentences your most exciting learnings during the SURE event:
I have written these words to answer the guiding questions that resulted from the summer school that I attended. They also show my personal feelings and experiences from this week and the programme that we were going through. To ensure the comprehensibility of my answers, it is advisable to present them chronologically and separately from each other.
- In your opinion, what are the most important social challenges for sustainable urban development?
The pursuit of sustainable urban development is confronted with a multitude of social challenges, originating from a dearth of educational opportunities, an absence of citizen involvement, and the absence of robust political agendas. One significant challenge is the unequal distribution of resources.
Furthermore, limited civic engagement represents a significant challenge. In the absence of active citizen involvement in the planning and decision-making processes, urban projects may fail to align with the needs of the community, thereby undermining their effectiveness. Similarly, the absence of robust political agendas can result in inadequate or inadequately enforced policies, which in turn impede sustainability efforts.
A lack of awareness and education regarding sustainable practices may prevent residents from adopting eco-friendly behaviours. In the absence of education, there is also resistance to change, as communities may not understand or support proposed sustainability measures. The lack of citizen participation gives rise to fragmented community efforts, which in turn result in ineffective solutions. Furthermore, weak political commitment frequently overlooks social equity, failing to address the needs of vulnerable populations. In order to overcome these challenges, it is essential to improve education, enhance civic engagement and strengthen political will if sustainable and inclusive urban development is to be achieved.
- What are the best practical solutions to meet these challenges?
In order to address the social challenges inherent to sustainable urban development, it is imperative that practical solutions are implemented that prioritise education, participation and global networking. Firstly, it is imperative that educational programmes and awareness-raising initiatives are enhanced. It is recommended that comprehensive sustainability programmes are implemented in schools, community centres and online platforms with the objective of informing residents about eco-friendly practices and their roles in sustainability. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns and workshops can facilitate the narrowing of knowledge gaps.
Moreover, it is vital to encourage active participation from citizens in the decision-making process. It is recommended that engagement is encouraged through the implementation of inclusive planning processes, public forums, and participatory budgeting, with the objective of ensuring that the needs of the community are reflected in the development projects that are undertaken. The establishment of community advisory boards and local sustainability advocates can facilitate greater involvement and ownership.
The utilisation of global networking can facilitate the acquisition of valuable insights. It would be beneficial to establish connections with international organisations, cities and experts in order to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and the learning of successful strategies that have been employed in other contexts. Participating in global forums can facilitate the introduction of innovative solutions and best practices that can be adapted locally. Furthermore, the establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships between governments, businesses, non-profit organisations and academic institutions can collectively address urban challenges. These partnerships can facilitate the pooling of resources and expertise to drive sustainable development. The provision of localised training and capacity-building for local leaders can also enhance their ability to effectively address sustainability issues. The integration of these approaches can contribute to the creation of more equitable and effective urban development.
- What scientific methods and concepts do you find useful for promoting sustainable cities? What new things have you learnt in this regard?
The promotion of sustainable cities is contingent upon the utilisation of a number of pivotal scientific methodologies and conceptual frameworks, most notably those pertaining to Nature-Based Solutions (NbS). Nature-based solutions (NbS) utilise natural processes to address urban challenges and enhance resilience. The concept of the “sponge city,” which exemplifies the nature-based solution (NbS) approach, integrates green infrastructure with the objective of effectively managing stormwater. The utilisation of permeable surfaces, green roofs and urban wetlands enables sponge cities to absorb and retain rainwater, thereby preventing flooding and improving water quality through natural filtration.
Techniques for the management of rainwater, such as the use of rain barrels and cisterns, facilitate the capture and reuse of this resource, thereby reducing the reliance on conventional water supplies and mitigating the impact of runoff. Such NbS approaches facilitate the sustainable management of stormwater and provide alternative sources of water.
Urban rewilding, which is another NbS, involves the reintroduction of natural elements into urban environments. This may include the creation of green spaces, the restoration of native plant species, and the support of wildlife habitats. Such initiatives enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and provide recreational areas, thereby enhancing the quality of life for residents.
The incorporation of green infrastructure, including urban parks and green walls, also serves to support NbS by improving air quality, reducing the formation of heat islands, and enhancing biodiversity. The implementation of energy-efficient building design and the utilisation of smart city technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, serves to enhance the optimisation of resource management and the reduction of a city’s carbon footprint. Recent developments have highlighted the importance of integrating NbS in order to create resilient and sustainable urban environments.
- What did you particularly like about the Summer School? What content/formats did you miss?
One of the most valuable aspects of the Summer School was the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of individuals from across the globe, each of whom possessed a unique perspective and a wealth of experience. The diverse cohort of participants contributed a plethora of perspectives and ideas, thereby enriching the experience and fostering valuable connections. Engaging with individuals from a variety of backgrounds enabled me to gain novel insights into global issues.
Furthermore, the Summer School offered a novel perspective on pressing issues, notably climate change and urban ecology. Gaining insights into these issues through the lens of different countries and continents facilitated a more nuanced understanding of the complex challenges faced in various regions. It was enlightening to observe the manner in which disparate locations address analogous issues and the innovative solutions they implement.
Moreover, the programme provided an exhaustive overview of the multifaceted impact of climate change and urban ecology at the global scale. This broader perspective revealed both the commonalities and the distinctive challenges faced by different regions, thereby enhancing my appreciation for the multifaceted nature of these issues. In conclusion, the experience was of considerable benefit, facilitating both personal and professional growth.
A modification of the teaching methodology, whereby a greater emphasis was placed on excursions in addition to the existing frontal teaching, would have significantly enhanced the learning experience. The incorporation of additional field trips or practical excursions alongside the theoretical content would have facilitated a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world practice. Such a combination of teaching formats would have facilitated a more comprehensive understanding of the concepts, enabling students to see them in action and apply them to actual scenarios.
It may also have been beneficial to teach the lessons in locations that align with their thematic content. For instance, a presentation on foraging could have been made more engaging by incorporating a guided stroll through a forested area, where students could identify and collect edible plants. Similarly, a coastal excursion near parks could have enhanced the learning experience in Mrs. Kanats’ presentation.
- What are your 3 take-home learnings from the Summer School 1) personally, 2) for your further studies and career, and 3) potential joint projects with the Summer School participants?
The following two sections are to be considered together. The objective of this module is to facilitate personal and professional growth. During the Summer School, I gained an appreciation for the value of adopting a multiplicity of perspectives on problems, particularly when confronted with a lack of progress. The engagement with diverse viewpoints frequently resulted in the generation of novel solutions that had not been previously considered. This capacity to address challenges from a multiplicity of perspectives will prove to be of immense value in both my academic pursuits and future career. Furthermore, I developed a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between controlled and wild green spaces in landscape architecture. An understanding of the integration of structured designs with natural, untamed elements will facilitate the creation of dynamic and sustainable landscapes in the future.
Potential joint projects with fellow participants of the Summer School: The opportunity to work alongside fellow participants in the Summer School also served to illustrate the potential for future joint projects. The potential of interdisciplinary approaches, whether combining landscape design with environmental sciences, architecture, or even sociology, to yield innovative outcomes was also considered. Such collaborative endeavours have the potential to yield innovative projects that integrate controlled and wild green spaces in urban and rural settings, thereby promoting both ecological sustainability and aesthetic diversity.
I’m so happy to say that the summer school was absolutely amazing! I learned so much, both personally and professionally. And I’m so grateful for the chance to meet so many incredible people in the beautiful city of Istanbul.
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