@techreport{OPUS4-7290, type = {Working Paper}, title = {My Wilderness II: selected essays in creative writing}, editor = {Rodr{\´i}guez Mansilla, Francesc Gabriel and Schwarz, Astrid}, issn = {2747-8262}, doi = {10.26127/BTUOpen-7290}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-72908}, year = {2026}, abstract = {The course "How to talk about "nature"?" is offered every winter semester to an average of 125 students at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg. As part of the course, students have the opportunity to critically question and rethink the concept of "nature" and some of its derivative notions, such as "nature as wilderness." After examining how this notion has led to an artificial separation between humanity and a supposedly "human-free nature," students recognize the limitations of this duality. Through an in-depth exploration of the historical and cultural roots of this notion of "nature as wilderness", students are then invited to share their experiences of "wilderness" that challenge this duality. Here we have compiled a selection of their responses from the winter semesters 20/21 and 21/22.}, subject = {Creative writing; Naturecultures; Environmental history; Anthropogenic influence; Environmental ethics; Kreatives Schreiben; Naturkulturen; Umwelt Geschichte; Anthropogener Einfluss; Umweltethik; Kreatives Schreiben; Umwelt; Geschichte; Anthropogener Einfluss; Umweltethik}, language = {en} } @techreport{OPUS4-7289, type = {Working Paper}, title = {Bazar Abbas : a recovery lab for Port Said ; built heritage, collective memory, and urban rehabilitation}, editor = {Zarrin Ghalam, Sepideh}, isbn = {2941-7406}, doi = {10.26127/BTUOpen-7289}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-72895}, year = {2026}, abstract = {This publication documents the processes and findings of the 'Bazar Abbas: Recovery Lab of Port Said', a pilot initiative addressing the deterioration of Port Said's historic urban landscape. By presenting these results, the publication aims to raise awareness of the city's urban heritage and stimulate a broader discussion on sustainable recovery strategies. Founded as a cosmopolitan hub after the construction of the Suez Canal, Port Said's dual urban structure represents a distinctive architectural and urban heritage. Founded as a cosmopolitan hub after the construction of the Suez Canal, Port Said's dual urban structure represents a distinctive, yet vulnerable, architectural and urban heritage. The city's urban fabric was profoundly shaped by successive wars and forced displacement following the post-colonial transition. Despite the profound impact of these events, however, Port Said has lacked a comprehensive recovery framework to address the resulting damage. Instead, the historic core has faced institutional neglect, with its heritage caught between shifting priorities and chronic underfunding. Today, the city is grappling with historical trauma and physical decay, as well as a development strategy that disconnects heritage from contemporary growth. In response, the Recovery Lab acts as a platform for exploration, bridging the gap between academic research and professional practice. Using the Bazar Abbas building as a living laboratory, the project has evolved from theoretical study to the implementation of site-specific pilot interventions. The Lab has tested a multidisciplinary toolbox ranging from 3D laser scanning to participatory engagement to demonstrate how tangible recovery can be achieved despite limited resources and archival gaps. Ultimately, this volume argues that cities with complex, layered histories require an incremental, tactical approach to rehabilitation. This methodology directly addresses intertwined challenges, including restricted funding, fragmented decision-making, and administrative hurdles. By treating heritage as a vital social asset and adopting a learning-by-doing approach, the Lab overcomes institutional paralysis to deliver results. This framework offers a resilient regeneration alternative that is grounded in the practical realities of Port Said and the collective agency of its residents.}, subject = {Port Said; Bazar Abbas; Stadterneuerung; Gemeinschaftsorientierte Sanierung; Urban recovery; Urban narratives; Community-centred rehabilitation; Port Said; Stadtsanierung; Stadtkern; St{\"a}dtebau; Geschichte; Urbane Narrative}, language = {en} } @techreport{OPUS4-5436, type = {Working Paper}, title = {My Wilderness : selected essays in creative writing}, editor = {Schwarz, Astrid}, issn = {2747-8262}, doi = {10.26127/BTUOpen-5436}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-54369}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The essays in this volume were created in the courses "Philosophy of Technology and Nature" over two semesters from 2018 to 2020. Students in these courses were enrolled in different study programs and they came from countries all over the world. In lectures and seminars we discussed the different imaginaries of technology and nature, the history of this relation, and the various conceptualizations particularly those of the Western world. The idea of "Nature as Wilderness" did, and still does so, take an important place in this cultural setting. We discussed a chapter from the seminal book of William Cronnon, The Trouble with Wilderness (1996), before entering in our writing experiment. Students were asked to write an essay of three pages maximum about the topic "My Wilderness", based on the methodology of creative writing that was presented and discussed at length. Students had one week to produce their piece and in the following session we had a kind of play reading that is students presented the texts of their mates. After this event, the texts were carefully revised and images added.}, subject = {Wilderness; Environmental anthropology; Creative writing; Environmental philosophy; Environmental history; Wildnis; Umweltphilosophie; Umweltgeschichte; Umweltanthropologie; Kreatives Schreiben; Kreatives Schreiben; Umwelt; Geschichte; Anthropogener Einfluss; Umweltethik}, language = {en} }