International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” (Bauhaus Univ. Weimar)

International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” (Bauhaus Univ. Weimar)

Einrichtung
Bauhaus University Weimar
Ort
Weimar
Land
Deutschland
Vom - Bis
01.10.2018 -
Bewerbungsschluss
05.01.2018
Von
Institute for European Urban Studies

Cities in Europe are being confronted with new challenges in the face of increasing social inequalities, demographic and lifestyle changes and expectations for ecological development. These processes require new, innovative approaches to urban development which build upon existing urban structures. Housing in urban areas represents a central cross-disciplinary issue, within which societal problems – which have decisive effects on individuals and their quality of life – can be seen more acutely. The topic of urban housing is thus an area of research which comprises both abstract considerations about societal forms of cohabitation, and how politics and urban planning implement these ideas, as well as concrete, spatial-morphological, architectural and economic dimensions of urban planning. Understanding the complexity of this area of research, a comprehensive analysis must go hand in hand with recognizing the need for alternative concepts for housing policy in the fragmented city.

The International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” is therefore focusing research on the transformation of European cities with a focus on (multidimensional) housing policy, in the context of current societal challenges – such as climate change, social fragmentation, spatial disparity, cultural differentiation, immigration and the transformation of the real estate economy – and what these challenges imply for the cities of Europe.

Research Areas

With this call, the International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” is concentrating on research projects which address one of the following research areas specifically, but which can also be linked to at least one of the other research areas.
Housing Policy and Urban Development
At the focus of this research area is social housing provision and how it is developing in the context of a transformation to the welfare state and urban development. Research projects will be considered which look at the functional, institutional and urban-spatial transformation of social housing planning.

Housing Forms and Social Diversity
In this context, research should focus both on particular social groups’ specific needs with respect to housing forms, as well as on inquiries into innovative housing concepts.

Urban Landscape Living
Urban landscapes are explored as complex, socioeconomic and ecological patterns of relations. This research focus aims to find future-oriented and landscape-related housing and forms of living in the context of current urban landscapes, as well as sustainable forms of urban development and city-regional development based in use of open space and landscapes.

Sustainable Economic Housing Development
At the focus of this research area are the economic aspects of the processes and constraints of sustainable housing development. Of particular interest are the evaluation of housing development and operation as well as assessment methods from the real estate economy. Research can also be undertaken into possibilities for socially fair housing development in volatile housing markets and under the conditions of economically restricted processes and behaviour patterns.

Participating Chairs
Prof. Dr. Frank Eckardt (Coordinating Chair), Urban Studies and Social Research
Prof. Dr. Barbara Schönig, Urban Planning
Prof. Dr. Bernd Nentwig, Architectural Management
Prof. Dr. Sigrun Langner, Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning

Admission Requirements
At least a good Master`s degree (M.A.) or equivalent from a recognised university in a subject related to spatial research as well as a very good previous academic performance are required for admission to the doctorate programme. Candidates must be proficient in English, and German is strongly recommended.
Submitting the Application
Applications for admission should be submitted in paper form to this address:
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Professur Sozialwissenschaftliche Stadtforschung
Brigitte Zamzow
Belvederer Allee 4
99425 Weimar

Applications or documents of application submitted by fax or e-mail cannot be accepted.

Scholarship

We would like to point out that the Institute of European Urban Studies does not supply scholarships. Here you can find more information on scholarships.
In the context of the DAAD „Graduate School Scholarship Programme“, two applicants will be nominated for DAAD scholarships for foreign doctorate students. The scholarships will begin in the Winter Semester 2018/19 and fund research for 3-4 years. FAQs scholarship
Application Documents
The following documents are required for application (unstapled and no data media such as CDs or disks, no folders):
1. Application Form: Fill in our online application form first. After submitting it online, print it out and submit a signed copy together with the other application documents in paper form.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of Motivation (one page)
4. Research Proposal (Exposé): A detailed description (ca. 5 pages) of your intended research should outline the topic of your doctoral dissertation and your research methods. It should reflect on the state of the art research in the field you are interested in. Be sure to specifically point out possible field research abroad that will be required for your research. Finally, a bibliography of books and research articles, which are most relevant for your topic, should be attached to the exposé. You can download a form for the research proposal here.
5. Certificates and Transcripts: The application must include an officially authenticated copy of the student's university entrance qualification. Complete and official certificates and transcripts of all previous college or university study must be submitted. Official transcripts should either be submitted as an original document or the submitted copies should be officially certified. All documents must be provided in the original language. Documents in languages other than English or German must be accompanied by officially certified translations into English (or German). Official certifications can be carried out by a notary public, the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country, and the institutions that originally issued the document. The certificates and transcripts should include the grade point average, the grades received in each subject each year, the number of weeks and the number of hours per week that each subject was studied.
6. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from academic mentors of your home university. You can download a form of the letter of recommendation under this link.
7. Language Skills: Applicants who are not native speakers must prove/document their proficiency in the English language. Exceptions are possible in the case of a successful completion of an English-speaking degree programme in the past.
Applicants who are not German native speakers are strongly advised to improve their proficiency in German (TestDAF Stufe 4, "Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung" offered by the Goethe-Institute or comparable certificate) to take full advantage of the programme.
Intensive language workshops and semester courses are offered in Weimar for those applicants whose English or German has not quite reached the required level of proficiency.