The project addresses the rising drop-out rate for the past couple of years among students enrolled in the first year of study at the BEM (By-, Energi- og MiljoplanIægning) bachelor study programme - with emphasis on strengthening AAU Copenhagen connection to Sydhavn district.

Historically, the drop-out rate has fluctuated, however the 2015 rate was 27,5% for the first time exceeding the faculty threshold. The rate for 2016 and 2017 is unknown, but our impression is that it is still relatively high. There is no systematic knowledge about why the students drop-out. One of the reasons mentioned by students is that they find it difficult to define their future role and job functions as planners. 

We believe that these issues might be met by making the first year of study even more problem-based and closer linked to practice. BEM semester evaluations and meetings with students show that they value direct experience with the role of being a planner. Thus, the study could be strengthened by making the 1st semester even more practice oriented, by involving the students in planning initiatives in AAU's local community. We seek embed part of the first study year within action-oriented engagement with the Sydhavn district surrounding the MU Copenhagen campus and hereby connect BEM students to the thriving local activities and real-life problems. This will engage students with local community organizations, interest groups, companies, etc. with an intent to support sustainability-oriented change in Sydhavn and learning processes to bridge the teaching/practice gap. This provides a praxis-oriented eye-opener for students who are 'on the fence' about personal and career opportunities offered by the BEM study programme by leveraging transformative, experiential and service learning PBL elements.

Specifically, this project will adopt the Sydhavn district as the area of intervention for BEM student's so-called P1 projects, which has "Planning and Society" as its theme in accordance with the BEM study regulations. Sydhavn is a dynamic district with wide disparities in socio-economic terms between 'old' and 'new' neighborhoods, with MU often perceived as physical monolith disconnected from the rest of the district. There are plenty of sustainability-related issues regarding the district's development, ranging from e.g. transport to housing to green/recreational areas, commercial activities and social inclusion. This project goes a step beyond the usual by connecting BEM students directly with community stakeholders involved in addressing these issues. By making this extraordinary effort in connecting P1 projects to the local community, we expect to boost student motivation and positive reflection about the planning discipline, ultimately reducing the drop-out rate and challenging the potentials of the PBL model itself.

SydhavnsCompagniet, City of Copenhagen, CPH City and Port Development, FSB, Karensminde and Gron Agenda Sydhavn are examples of community stakeholder we would like to invite to take active part of the BEM P1 period. This could be as P1 collaboration partners or other supporting roles. This project will facilitate the connection between activities, needs and wishes from these stakeholders and BEM students and their interests.

ANSVARLIG

• Helle Nedergaard Nielsen, helle@plan.aau.dk, Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design.

ØVRIGE DELTAGERE

• Soren Qvist Eliasen, se@plan.aau.dk, Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design
• David Christensen, damc@plan.aau.dk, Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design
• Rikke Marie Moalem, rikkekr@plan.aau.dk, Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design