Die Kunst des Problemlösens: Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Trainings im Lösen komplexer Planungsprobleme

Abstract Spatial planners (regional planners, urban planners, architects, etc.) are often confronted with complex, interdisciplinary problems characterized by contradictory interests that call for a highly sophisticated plan of action. With this in mind, the University of Stuttgart has developed a new curriculum to provide planners with a systematic, theoretically grounded, and transdisciplinary education in solving complex problems. The curriculum is built on an explicitly articulated educational concept, thereby distinguishing it from the widespread approach of learning by doing. Given that such a curriculum requires an adequate planning model, it draws on a systemic planning theory of the “Third Generation”, which goes beyond older approaches like “technical rationality” (of the “First Generation”) and “communicative rationality” (of the “Second Generation”). Moreover, subjected to systematic experimental evaluation, the curriculum was shown to result in significantly improved solutions and planning pr...