Offers
The following topics are currently offered as student theses, but possibly also as part of the "free Master's projects". If you are interested, please contact the supervisors.
Thesis topics in connection with the project 'JUSTNature'
The following are potential thesis or study project topics in connection with the action research project JUSTNature, where we are working closely with the City of Munich’s planning department. The exact focus and methods can be adapted to each student’s research interests. The thesis may be written in English, however since this is qualitative, place-specific research in the city of Munich, German language skills are highly desirable in order to conduct interviews or surveys, depending on the exact methods selected.
If you are interested in one of these topics, please contact Eleanor Chapman eleanor.chapman(at)tum.de or Elizaveta Fakirova liza.fakirova(at)tum.de indicating which topics are of interest, and with a writing sample.
1. Care, conflict and justice in urban greening politics
Temporary urban greening experiments: are they capable of delivering genuine social benefits, such as a sense of community, connection with one another and with nature, and even a more democratic and equitable society? Or simply a waste of time and money? For urban greening projects to support a just socio-ecological transformation, planners and practitioners need to recognise their political context, along with corresponding power imbalances and conflicts between needs. In this regard, theories on justice, power and care (for other people and for more-than-human species) offer a framework for empirically analysing a process of planning, designing and caring for two temporary green space interventions in the city of Munich.
Possible methods: Case study analysis, document review, interviews (or survey), field diaries, observation.
2. Civil society engagement in nature-based solutions in Munich: current policies and opportunities for enhanced involvement
Which policies, regulations and guidelines regulate civil society to participate in shaping nature-based solutions at different stages (planning, implementation, and maintenance)? How do these documents enable or constrain involvement in decision-making? And what opportunities are there to increase participation?
Possible methods: desk research, document analysis based on a relevant theoretical framework, interviews or surveys with local stakeholders
3. 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.
4. 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.
More Information
Intern / Thesis Student (m/f/d) - Sustainability (Biodiversity)
Under this pledge, Heraeus Precious Metals is committed to act responsibly toward climate, resources, and people. As part of Heraeus Precious Metals’ biodiversity initiative, the company aims to assess the location-specific biodiversity impact of its operations. We are currently seeking an intern to work on this topic with us and, upon discussion, potentially integrate it into a thesis.
Theses on the topic of „Urban Trees“ (Bachelor-/Master-Thesis)
In cooperation with the Center for Urban Nature and Climate Adaptation (ZSK), we are constantly offering theses (project, Bachelor, Master theses). Further details and topics can be obtained from the following contacts:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Rötzer
Prof. Dr. Stephan Pauleit
Dr. Astrid Reischl
M.Sc. Nayanesh Pattnaik
M.Sc. Eleonora Franceschi
Dr. Mohammad Rahman (in cooperation with the University of Melbourne)