The Conception of Education in CAD

Abstract

In February 1990 the University of Kaiserslautern founded the new teaching and research department "Computer-Aided Design and Construction in Environmental Planning and Architecture". Unlike other German universities, the speciality of the new teaching department is in the common education of architects and environmental planners (including urban planning), so that a wide range of computer systems is at their disposal: computer-aided architectural design systems just as geographic information systems, picture processing or information systems to support urban planning etc. No other German university disposes of this kind of common education in a single teaching department. The following aspects will be discussed: (-) The general concept of education in three dimensions, viz. a dimension of application concerning architecture and urban planning, a dimension of technical features concerning computer applications and a dimension of critical judgement. (-) Contents of education and teaching concept including examples and students' resonance. (-) Research fields in urban planning and architecture which are necessary for a practical-oriented education concept. (-) Experience with the educational background furnished by the students of architecture and environmental planning and general consequences for the teaching concept.