System-Theoretical Urban Development: The Potsdam Lodestar Approach (2024)

By: Manfred Rolfes and Jan Lorenz Wilhelm

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Synopsis: In their book, the authors introduce the topic of urban development from a systems (theoretical) perspective and provide explanatory approaches, tips and methodological instructions for dealing with urban complexity. Knowing full well that this sometimes amounts to squaring the circle, the authors draw on applied systemic approaches and systematically couple these with epistemological currents that can be assigned to Luhmann's systems theory. The social understanding of this theory of social systems represents a very good starting point for understanding urban development and urban complexity. From this perspective, urban development can be seen as a process in which organisations and individuals with their own expectations and perspectives are involved, in which contradictions and conflicts seem inevitable and the future cannot be clearly predicted. Decisions in cities and municipalities are therefore always associated with risks, irritations and unexpected consequences. With the Potsdam lodestar approach, Rolfes and Wilhelm present a multidimensional approach to managing urban development processes. The approach distinguishes five process dimensions, which are presented chapter by chapter and linked with recommendations. The individual chapters are structured along guiding questions and feature appealing visualizations and numerous bonus materials.