Urbanism, Architecture & Society
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The "Urbanism, Architecture and Society" unit's work is grounded in the premise that space is produced by social structures and spatial practices. We focus on the sociological analysis of the material dimensions and production of space, as well as participatory and transdisciplinary architectural projects (with a particular emphasis on building with earth).
We are an interdisciplinary team of architects and social scientists committed to the critical urban theory. We develop innovative approaches and methods to investigate the patterns of everyday life across a wide range of case study regions, through mobility and urban infrastructure, thus contributing to theoretical discourses such as planetary urbanization, conducting transdisciplinary project work with students, or exploring ways to promote the social acceptance of sustainable building materials. Our sociospatial research focuses on Liechtenstein as a part of the cross-border Alpine Rhine Valley region, as well as selected regions of the Global South.
HIGHLIGHTS
LSA LAUNCHES EARTH HUB
2024
ANNA HERINGER IS A PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE AT THE LSA
2024
HONORARY DOCTORATE FOR MARTIN RAUCH
2023
VENIA LEGENDI FOR LINDSAY BLAIR HOWE
2023
A CLIMATE-FRIENDLY VILLAGE FOR LIECHTENSTEIN
Children's University
2023
C. Faisst, P. Gnädinger, D. Haselsberger
ERASMUS+ PROJECT "SEIAA"
Successful project completion
2023
C. Faisst, D. Haselsberger
LSA CLAY EXCURSION
Lehm Ton Erde Baukunst GmbH
2022
L. Howe, M. Mackowitz
UNDERSTANDING BUILDING DENSIFICATION PROCESSES BETTER
Presentation of research results
2023
J. Herburger
LET'S START BUILDING!
National Future Day
2023
C. Faisst, P. Gnädinger, D. Haselsberger
HOW CITIES CAN TRANSFORM DEMOCRACY
Book presentation Philippe Koch
2023
L. Howe
2 BIG SEE AWARDS
Architecture Awards
2020
M. Mackowitz
MAASAI PROJECT
2014 - 2016
C. Faisst
MEDIATING BUILDING CULTURE
Brochure
2018
C. Faisst
Team
Ass.-Prof. Dr.
Lindsay Blair Howe
Head of Unit
Bmstr. Mag. arch Cornelia Faisst
Senior Lecturer
Daniel Haselsberger
MSc Arch
Research Assistant / PhD Candidate
Dr. sc.
Johannes Herburger
Postdoc
Dipl. Ing.
Martin Mackowitz
Senior Lecturer
Teaching
USRG is responsible for several different forms of teaching for students across all levels.
We teach the introductory lecture series in sociology, and offer one related elective course every semester.
We run two studio courses. One engages with urban analysis and architectonic design on multiple scales, often focusing on the integration of the building material earth. The second is connects qualitative methods with a specific urban research project at USRG, with a focus on writing and science communication.
We also run the Pro Bono module, and related to this, an innovative elective "Werkstatt" component to reflect on the transdisciplinary work completed in this module.
Finally, we provide the opportunity to complete written elective theses, or "Vertiefungsarbeiten," on a wide range of topics related to the work at USRG. We also advise students and conduct thesis supervision across all levels (BSc, MSc, PhD).
Please get in touch with Lindsay if you want more details about coursework, and if you’re interested in conducting thesis or postdoc work with us!
PRO BONO
Designing responsibility
C. Faisst, D, Haselsberger
BASIC STUDIO LANDSCAPE
Simply good spaces
SS 24
A. Heringer, M. Mackowitz
BASIC STUDIO LANDSCAPE
Small is beautiful
Creating places in South Africa
WS 23/24
L.Howe, M.Mackowitz
SOCIOLOGY
L. Howe
URBAN THEORY
L. Howe
BASIC STUDIO LANDSCAPE
Shaping the environment
WS 22/23
L. Howe, M. Mackowitz
SUMMER SCHOOL
The diversity of urban sprawl
2022
J. Herburger
ADVANCED STUDIO LANDSCAPE
Building Bangladesh. From farmhouse to refugee island?
SS 21
A. Heringer, L. Howe
Research
The USRG research team at the University of Liechtenstein currently consists of one professor, two senior scientists, and two doctoral students, using shared methods to investigate “ordinary” places as diverse as Rankweil, Austria and Bihar, India. Our primary areas of research include urbanization and urban theory; urban development; qualitative/mixed methods and fieldwork; infrastructure and mobility; densification and gentrification; transdisciplinarity; and engendering change in the building industry through material like rammed earth.
TOWARDS A PERIODIZATION AND URBANISATION IN THE ALPENRHEINTAL
FFF-funded project
2023 - 2024
mobiLIty
Everyday Mobility at Uni Li
FFF-funded project
2021 - 2023
L. Howe, J. Herburger, M. Gau
SEED FUNDING
The Global Peripheries Project (GPP)
FFF-funded project
2022 - 2023
L. Howe
ROOTING ARCHITECTURE
Reviving the use of local and natural building materials in Bihar, India
Dissertation
2021 - 2024
D. Haselsberger
RE-BUILDING THE ALPINE RHINE VALLEY
An Exploratory Case-Study of Sustainability Fixes and Densification Regimes
Dissertation
2019 - 2023
J. Herburger
SOCIETY IN MOTION
Erasmus Project
2016 - 2019
C. Faisst
Transfer
A SCHOOL FOR KENIA
in cooperation with the Fumathoka Foundation
2022
C. Faisst, M. Mackowitz