Urban Transformation and Public Safety

Code:

TUSP1

Acronym:

TUSP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Sociology and other studies

Instance: 2024/2025 - SP (of 30-09-2024 to 04-10-2024)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Urban Transformation and Public Safety

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
TUSP_BIP	63	Study Plan	1	-	3	26	81

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The general objectives of the training are:

Comprehensive Understanding:
To develop a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships between urban transformation and public safety, considering social, economic, environmental and cultural factors.

Critical analysis (case studies):
Enable students to carry out critical analyses of urban dynamics and security challenges, promoting a reflective and analytical approach.
    
Interdisciplinary Knowledge:
Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge from areas such as geography, urbanism, sociology, criminology, design and other relevant disciplines for a comprehensive approach.

Sustainable Development:
Promoting the understanding and application of sustainable urban development principles, aimed at creating safer, more inclusive and resilient urban environments.
    
Innovation and Practical Solutions:
Stimulating innovation in the approach to urban and security issues, providing students with practical tools and strategies for problem-solving.

Ethics and Social Responsibility:
Integrating ethical considerations and promoting social responsibility into practices related to urban transformation and public safety.

Community Interaction:
Encourage community interaction by enabling students to actively engage with local communities, understanding their needs and collaborating in the implementation of solutions.

Adapting to Urban Change:
Preparing students to face and adapt to changes in urban dynamics, considering contemporary and future challenges.
   
Practical Application of Knowledge:
Encouraging the practical application of acquired knowledge in real-world situations, enabling students to contribute effectively to improving urban conditions and public safety.

Learning outcomes and competences

-Students develop international skills by working together in international teams both online and offline.
-Students increase their awareness of the impact of urban planning on social phenomena such as safety, liveability, and economic development.
-Students learn how various spatial and crime prevention methods can be applied into urban transformation for dealing with contemporary urban challenges and how to develop and test feasible solutions.

Working method

B-learning

Program

1: Introduction to BIP and Inter-disciplinary research on urban safety (online component)
Overview of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) and its role in practical learning.
Overview of Porto as a case-study
Challenges for inter-disciplinary research:
-Challenges for urban design for generating safe neighborhoods
-Challenges for CPTED
-Challenges for environmental criminology

2. Presentation of the case study
Crime prevention in Portugal as a plural discipline
Urban planning, development and transformation in Porto
Historical outlook of the case-study area

3. Network Analyses Tools
Overview different analyses tools
2-steps analyses and street profiles (street elements)
Building density analysis (Spacematrix)
Degree of land use mixture (MXI)
Image of the city analysis (Lynch-method)

4. Micro-scale Tools
The topological relationship between private and public space
The relationship between entrances, windows, streets, and criminal opportunity

5. How can urban planning and design prevent crime and fear of crime?
Environmental Criminology principles and practice
Analyzing insecurity and the built environment
Socio-Spatial and Visual Analysis of urban spaces
Understanding Visual Triggers

6.Social and working outcomes (transversal)
Development of interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills
Development of capacity to integrate international and multicultural environments
Critical analysis of lessons learned, focusing on personal development as future global professionals.

Mandatory literature

Lynch, K.; The image of the city., MIT press, 1964
Saraiva, M. (editor); Urban Crime Prevention: Multi-disciplinary Approaches. The Urban Book Series. Springer. XIV, 352, 2022 (pp. ISBN 978-3-031-15107-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15108-8. 1st ed. October 2022. URL: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-15108-8)
Van Nes, A., & Yamu, C. ; Introduction to space syntax in urban studies, Springer Nature, 2021 (250 pp. eBook ISBN 978-3-030-59140-3. Published: 31 July 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59140-3)
Wortley, R., & Townsley, M. ; Environmental criminology and crime analysis., New York: Routledge, 2016

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching methodologies aim to introduce the syllabus in a dynamic and interesting way, focused on conceptual rigor and on demonstrative and active methods. This is obtained through the stimulation of the participation and involvement of students in the resolution of the proposed problems, with opening and closing online sessions, and a week of intensive training that alternates lectures / tutorial guidance in the classroom with a component of group work, including field work. Therefore, the components can be described as
Lectures:
Theoretical presentations on the principles associated to the BIP and the use of analysis tools.
Practical Work:
Application of the methodologies taught to a local case study
Practical exercises to promote teamwork.
Discussion Sessions:
Interactive dialogues on the importance of analysis in urban and public safety projects.
Critical analysis of relevant case studies.
Team-building activities:
Participation in on-site activities for practical experiences and interpersonal collaboration.
Individual Guidance:
Individual sessions to clarify doubts and provide guidance on practical projects.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Trabalho de campo	30,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	55,00
Frequência das aulas	26,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

75% attendance (with valid justification for the missed classes)

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous Assessment:
Evaluation of performance, individual and collective, of the student throughout the course, based on the performance in the proposed activities and in the capacity to integrate multidisciplinary working groups
Practical Project:
Evaluation of the practical project conducted during the Intensive On-Site Project Week.
Analysis of the effective application of analysis tools and interdisciplinary approach.
Report and Presentation:
Assessment of the final report and its presentation, including clarity in communicating results.

Final Grade:
40% Pratical Work + 30% Field Work + 30% Final Presentation