In a format that mirrored the initial visit to Canada, this second workshop received visitors from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and served as the bookend to a cross-cultural exchange between German and Canadian partners.
While the Canadian guests designed their own two-week excursion to learn about urban climate resilience in the Rhein-Ruhr region, TU Dortmund students along with Nadine Maegdefrau from IRPUD and myself coordinated a concluding event to learn from local and regional experts about the relevance of resilience. A social barbecue concluded the event and also celebrated Canada Day which with a guest lecture from another Canuck – Dr. Bryon Miller from the University of Calgary. The Canadian finally was hosted in cooperation with Dr. Samuel Moessner (University of Münster), Dr. Ludger Basten (TU Dortmund) and sponsored by the Association for Canadian Studies in German-speaking Countries (GKS).
With continued collaboration with our colleague Dr. Meg Holden from Simon Fraser University (SFU), the event introduced over 40 participants to the conceptual development and practical challenges associated with Urban Resilience. TU Dortmund students also further integrated pod-wise elearning and experiential learning initiated in January 2017. The event was open to faculty staff and students outside of the student project, and included guest speakers from the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and the Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development (ILS). Also included were professionals from the municipalities of Dortmund, Essen, and Dinslaken, along with the Regional Association Ruhr (RVR), and the Emschergenossenschaft (EGLV).
The workshop included local excursions, conceptual and creative writing exercises that facilitated interactive discussions about perceptions and interpretations of transformation associated with resilience in the German context. Expert panel discussions were followed by presentations from researchers and students about current status of resilience initiatives and also comparative commentary from Canadian eyes.
contact: Robin Chang
