C3: Living & Working
Questions regarding the structure of cities are interesting and topical from many perspectives. A political vision (see teaching unit A1) does not in itself constitute a concept for urban development; it merely specifies which and how many residents are to be attracted, and by what means.
Phenomena such as gentrification (Unit B1) and debates on coexistence in urban spaces (Units C1, C2) should be examined with different focal points from economic and social perspectives. In this unit, the perspectives mentioned are supplemented by an urban geographical one.
The title ‘Living & Working’ is intended to highlight two key elements of urban concepts, though leisure and mobility, for example, also play a role. The question at stake is whether the concept of the ‘functional city’ – which divides cities into sectors based on specific uses – appears attractive for the future, or whether we should instead respond to calls for a mixed-use city.
The aim of this unit is for pupils to identify key arguments from both a social and an economic perspective and to weigh these up against one another.
