A Master’s Thesis Journey from Bochum to Oulu with UNIC - Exploring Green Infrastructure

Alina, how did you come to write your thesis through UNIC?

I first got involved with UNIC in 2022 when I saw the call for applications for the Generations’ Lab Summer School in Oulu. I applied, was accepted, and spent an intensive and enriching time there in June 2022. The city and its atmosphere left a lasting impression on me. Then, at the beginning of 2024, I returned to Oulu for a semester abroad. During that stay, I decided to write my master’s thesis comparing Oulu and Bochum. What really appealed to me was the idea of using the UNIC network to examine two very different cities that nevertheless face many of the same challenges. Through UNIC I received valuable support in identifying experts in Oulu.

How did you come up with the topic?

My topic arose from various experiences during my master's degree. I attended several seminars in the field of health geography and was fascinated by the interface between urban development and health issues. The summer school in Oulu was especially influential, as it was the first time I worked in an interdisciplinary setting. Collaborating with students from various academic backgrounds gave me new perspectives on urban geography issues. These experiences ultimately inspired the topic of my master's thesis: “Comparative Governance of Green Infrastructure and its Impact on Health-Promoting Urban Development in Germany and Finland.”

What motivates you to explore this topic? Do you have a personal connection to it?

My motivation for working on this topic is not only to analyze the results of urban projects, but also to understand the processes behind them: How do people from different disciplines collaborate? What planning principles guide these projects? How are the processes structured and organized? I find it especially interesting to compare governance structures in two different contexts and explore how they might inspire health-promoting urban development. I see green infrastructure as a powerful bridge between different disciplines, such as urban planning, environmental and health promotion, in order to improve urban quality of life.

Alina’s work contributes to the UNIC initiative “Engaging Students into Research", which aims to create opportunities for students to experience research in the UNIC context.  

The original interview was conducted by Katharina Gregor, RUB, and translated and adapted by Nina Harbecke, RUB.

Original article: Mit UNIC für die Masterarbeit nach Finnland | Newsportal - Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Photo: private, Grunwald.