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Professor Karl Fischer

Professor Karl Fischer

Visiting Professorial Fellow
Arts,Design & Architecture
School of Built Environment

Karl Fischer joined the faculty in March 2013 as acting head of the Masters Course in Urban Development and Design. Since 2014 he has been concentrating on research within the faculty as a visiting professorial fellow.

 

Biography

Prof. Dr. Karl Friedhelm Fischer is a visiting professor in the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales, where he was acting director of the Master of Urban Development and Design Course in 2013.  He studied planning and urban design in Aachen, Berkeley and Canberra and taught urban design, planning and planning history in Aachen, Berkeley, Hamburg and Kassel.

He also has a degree in English/American Literature (Aachen). In recent years, he was a professor for ‘History and Culture of the Metropolis’ at the Harbor City University, Hamburg. Since 1992 and again between 2009 and 2013, he taught urban regeneration and planning history at the School of Architecture, Urban Planning & Landscape Planning at the University of Kassel, Germany. One focus of his research and teaching has been on internationally comparative perspectives in urban development and design (Germany/ Australia/ UK/ USA/ France).

Professional affiliations include membership in Architects’ Chamber, Hamburg, and Deutscher Werkbund. As a consultant, he has been involved with design competitions and consultant reports for planning departments in Berlin, Magdeburg and Luebeck.

He was a review editor for “Planning Perspectives” until 2004, and has been on the Editorial Board of “Progress in Planning” since 2004. He is a member of the AESOP Best Paper Prize Committee and was a German CoRep (Council Representative) of the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) 2008-2013.

 
Phone
+61 4 06001191
E-mail
k.fischer@unsw.edu.au
Location
Red Centre West
  • Books | 2008
    Feussner H; Fischer F, 2008, Von der "Heimstätte" zur Wohnstadt - Transformationen eines Unternehmens zwischen "Weimarer Republik" und 21. Jahrhundert. = From Homestead Institution to “Wohn-Stadt Inc.”. Transformations of a Housing and Urban Development Corporation between Weimar Republic and 21st Century, Kassel University Press, Kassel
  • Book Chapters | 2017
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2017, 'Canberra: ‘Normalization’ or ‘the Pride of Time’', in Hamnett C; Freestone R (ed.), Planning Metropolitan Australia, edn. 1, Routledge, London, pp. 170 - 194
    Book Chapters | 2017
    Fischer KF, 2017, 'Der grosse Plan“ zwischen urbanem Gesamtkunstwerk und Stadtlandschaft: Canberra 1910 bis in die Gegenwart', in Bodenschatz H; Kress C (ed.), Kult und Krise des großen Plans im Städtebau, Imhof, Petersberg, pp. 189 - 200
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Fischer KF; Bertram G, 2014, 'Post-Post-War Re-Construction of a Destroyed Heimat: Perspectives on German Discourse and Practice', in Diefendorf JM; Ward J (ed.), Transnationalism and the German City, Palgrave MacMillan, London, pp. 207 - 221, http://us.macmillan.com/transnationalismandthegermancity/JeffryMDiefendorf#toc
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Fischer KF, 2014, 'Berlin's International Building Exhibitions 1957 and 1984/87', in Freestone R; Amati M (ed.), Exhibitions and the Development of Modern Planning Culture, Ashgate, UK, pp. 261 - 276, http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409454595
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Fischer KF; Altrock U, 2013, '"That is the way the cookie crumbles" - New Paradigm Changes in Times of Globalization and Deregulation', in Schubert D (ed.), Contemporary Perspectives on Jane Jacobs, Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Fischer KF; Lueken-Isberner F, 2013, 'Gauhauptstadt und großer Plan – Neugestaltung und Neuordnung 1936 bis 1946 The Provincial Capital and The Big Plan - “Redesign” and “Restructuring” 1936-1946', in Flemming J; Krause-Vilmar D (ed.), Kassel in der Moderne, Schüren Verlag, Marburg, pp. 469 - 496
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2013, 'Canberra: an Exemplar of International Orientations in City and Regional Planning', in Colman J; Gossop C (ed.), Frontiers of Planning: Visionary futures for human settlements, edn. 1st, ISOCARP, Brisbane, pp. 80 - 95, http://www.isocarp.org/index.php?id=145#c4016
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Fischer KF, 2013, 'Foreword: Windows Upon Urban Design in Berlin', in Bodenschatz H (ed.), Berlin Urban Design, edn. 2, Dom Pub, Berlin, pp. 6 - 11, http://www.dom-publishers.com/products/en/History-and-Theory/Berlin-Urban-Design.html
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Fischer KF; Altrock U; Bertram G; Fischer F, 2012, 'Städtische Governance in historischer Perspektive, = Urban Governance in Historical Perspective', in Altrock U; Bertram G (ed.), Wer entwickelt die Stadt?, transcript Verlag, pp. 7 - 26
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Fischer KF, 2012, 'Paradigmenwechsel zwischen Moderne, Nachmoderne und galoppierender Globalisierung. = Paradigm Changes in Times of Modernism, Postmodernism and Rapid Globalization.', in Hrsg ASADHS; Altrock U; Schmidt G; Schubert D; Kunze R (ed.), Schwerpunkt "40 Jahre Städtebauförderung - 50 Jahre Nachmoderne", Univerlag TU Berlin, pp. 207 - 230
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Fischer KF, 2012, 'Umbau in modernen und nachmodernen Zeiten. = Transformations in Modern and Postmodern Times.', in Eichenlaub AG; Pristl T (ed.), Umbau mit Bestand, edn. Schriften des Fachbereichs Architektur Stadtplanung Landscha, Reimer, Berlin, pp. 207 - 230
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Fischer KF, 2012, 'Zur Governance der Gartenstadt. Magdeburg zwischen „Rotenburg“ und „Protzenheim“, = On the Governance of the Garden City. Magdeburg between “Red Rotenburg” and “Boastville”', in Altrock U; Bertram G (ed.), Wer entwickelt die Stadt?, transcript Verlag, pp. 167 - 178
    Book Chapters | 2011
    Fischer KF, 2011, 'Die Neustrukturierung der stadtregionalen Politik und das Forschungsfeld „Von der Stadt der Moderne zur nachmodernen Stadtregion?“: = The Restructuring of urban regional politics and the research field „From the City of Modernity to the Postmodern City Region?”', in Altrock U; Aring J; Hahne U; Reuther I (ed.), Gewinnen - verlieren - transformieren (= Winning – Losing – Transforming: The European Urban Regions in Motion), Reimer, Berlin, pp. 25 - 46
    Book Chapters | 2010
    Fischer KF, 2010, 'Coventry - Anmerkungen zu aktuellen Entwicklungen der Innenstadt. = Coventry – Comments on Current Developments of the Inner City', in Lübke I (ed.), Kooperative Stadtentwicklung durch kooperative Planung, edn. "Schriften des Fachbereichs Architektur Stadtplanung Landsch, Reimer, Berlin, pp. 145 - 149
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Fischer KF, 2009, 'Gartenstadt (= Garden City)', in Lasch V; Kassel S (ed.), Kassel Lexikon, Euregioverlag, Germany
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Fischer KF, 2009, 'How German is it? An Essay in Epistemological Eclecticism', in Knieling J; Othengrafen F (ed.), Planning Cultures in Europe, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., Farnham, Surrey, pp. 65 - 94
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Fischer KF, 2009, 'Wiederaufbau (= Reconstruction)', in Lasch V; Stadt Kassel (ed.), Kassel Lexikon, Regioverlag, Kassel
    Book Chapters | 2008
    Fischer KF, 2008, 'Die Unterneustadt in Kassel', in Kirschbaum M (ed.), Architektur generalistisch. Für A. Eichenlaub., Kassel University Press, Kassel, pp. 159 - 160
  • Edited Books | 2018
    Fischer KF; Altrock U, (ed.), 2018, Windows Upon Planning History, First Edition, Routledge, London
  • Journal articles | 2020
    Fischer KF, 2020, 'Big Plans for Kassel. 1919 to 1949. Projects for Urban Development and Town Planning', PLANNING PERSPECTIVES, 35, pp. 920 - 921, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2020.1798120
    Journal articles | 2020
    Gallent N; Morphet J; Chiu R; Filion P; Fischer KF; Gurran N; Li P; Schwartz A; Stead D, 2020, 'International Experience of Public Infrastructure Delivery in Support of Housing Growth', Cities, 107, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.10292
    Journal articles | 2020
    Gallent N; Morphet J; Chiu RLH; Filion P; Fischer KF; Gurran N; Li P; Schwartz A; Stead D, 2020, 'International experience of public infrastructure delivery in support of housing growth', Cities, 107, pp. 102920 - 102920, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.102920
    Journal articles | 2019
    Fischer KF, 2019, 'Town and crown: an illustrated history of Canada's capital', PLANNING PERSPECTIVES, 34, pp. 365 - 366, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2019.1572916
    Journal articles | 2018
    Fischer KF, 2018, 'Robert Schmidt 1869-1934-City Master Builder in Essen and State Planner in the Ruhr area', PLANNING PERSPECTIVES, 33, pp. 494 - 496, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2018.1492130
    Journal articles | 2014
    Altrock U; Fischer KF, 2014, ''Windows Upon Planning History' conference at the University of Kassel, Germany, 7-9 February 2013', Planning Perspectives, 29, pp. 393 - 397, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2014.898591
    Journal articles | 2013
    Fischer K, 2013, 'Canberra's centenary', Town Planning Review, 84, pp. v - xiv, http://dx.doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2013.10
    Journal articles | 2012
    Fischer KF; Fischer KF, 2012, 'Mapping Modernism and Postmodernism', Arclos, pp. 78 - 83
    Journal articles | 2011
    Fischer KF, 2011, 'Berlin Urban Design – a Brief History. In: Planning Perspectives', Planning Perspectives: an international journal of history, planning and the environment, Vol. 26, pp. 123 - 128
    Journal articles | 1989
    Fischer KF, 1989, 'Canberra: myths and models', Town Planning Review, 60, pp. 155 - 194, http://dx.doi.org/10.3828/tpr.60.2.a8r120h668341g30
  • Conference Presentations | 2019
    Fischer K; Weirick J, 2019, 'Tram City, Motopia and Light Rail Commercialism in Canberra', presented at Conference of the Association of European Schools of Planning, Venice, 09 July 2019 - 13 July 2019
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Altrock U; Fischer KF, 2018, 'Windows upon the perspectives of planning history', in Fischer KF; Altrock U (ed.), WINDOWS UPON PLANNING HISTORY, ROUTLEDGE, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, pp. 265 - 268, presented at Conference on Windows Upon Planning History, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, 07 February 2013 - 09 February 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315547077-21
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Fischer K; Weirick J, 2018, 'Canberra – Controversies and Counter Discourses', presented at 14th International Conference on Urban History, 2018, Urban Renewal and Resilience. Cities in Comparative Perspective, 28 August 2018 - 01 September 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Fischer K, 2018, 'Kassel und Coventry als Modellstädte des modernen Neuaus - Pfad-Abhängigkeiten und (Auf)Brüche - Path Dependencies', presented at Wie entwicklungsfaehig ist die wiederaufgebaute Stadt?, Kassel, 22 October 2018 - 23 October 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Fischer K, 2018, 'Windows Upon World Administrative Cities. Directions for Research and Action.', presented at First World Administrative Cities Conference, Ankara, 04 September 2018 - 06 September 2018
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Fischer KF; Altrock U, 2018, 'Windows upon planning history – general introduction', in Fischer KF; Altrock U (ed.), WINDOWS UPON PLANNING HISTORY, ROUTLEDGE, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, pp. 3 - 12, presented at Conference on Windows Upon Planning History, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, 07 February 2013 - 09 February 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315547077-1
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Fischer KF; Larkham P, 2018, 'Coventry: A model of modernist reconstruction', in Fischer KF; Altrock U (ed.), WINDOWS UPON PLANNING HISTORY, ROUTLEDGE, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, pp. 83 - 103, presented at Conference on Windows Upon Planning History, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, 07 February 2013 - 09 February 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315547077-9
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Fischer KF, 2018, 'Examining long-range trajectories in planning history – windows of research in Germany', in Fischer KF; Altrock U (ed.), WINDOWS UPON PLANNING HISTORY, ROUTLEDGE, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, pp. 64 - 75, presented at Conference on Windows Upon Planning History, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, 07 February 2013 - 09 February 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315547077-7
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Fischer KF, 2018, 'Kassel – Ruptures and recoveries', in Fischer KF; Altrock U (ed.), WINDOWS UPON PLANNING HISTORY, ROUTLEDGE, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, pp. 104 - 133, presented at Conference on Windows Upon Planning History, GERMANY, Univ Kassel, Kassel, 07 February 2013 - 09 February 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315547077-10
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Fischer KF, 2018, 'Windows Upon Planning History - Canberra', in Yokohama 2018. The 18th Conference of the International Planning History Society. Looking at the World History of Planning. Abstracts and Full Papers, International Planning History Society and Tokyo University, Yokohama, Japan, pp. 1304 - 1313, presented at Conference of the International Planning History Society, Yokohama, Japan, 15 July 2018 - 19 July 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Fischer KF, 2018, 'Windows Upon Planning History - Canberra', presented at Conference of the International Planning History Society, Yokohama, Japan, 15 July 2018 - 19 July 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Fischer KF, 2017, 'Canberra Capital City Case Study.', presented at World Administrative City Forum, Sejong City, South Korea, 29 June 2017 - 02 July 2017
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Fischer KF, 2017, 'Capital Cities - Canberra Case Study', presented at World Administrative City Forum, Sejong City, South Korea, 30 June 2017 - 01 July 2017
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Fischer KF, 2017, 'Open cities? Learning from Australia and Germany', presented at European Green Australia Summit, Berlin, 10 August 2017 - 10 August 2017
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2016, 'Canberra’s planning culture in the 21st century', in Hein C (ed.), Proceedings of the 17th International Planning History Society Conference, Delft,, TU Delft, Delft, pp. 131 - 142, presented at International Planning History Society Conference, Delft, 17 July 2016 - 21 July 2016
    Conference Presentations | 2016
    Fischer KF, 2016, 'City Visions. The Berlin Exhibition transformed at UNSW. Opening Adress', presented at Living in the City. Problems and Challenges, Gdynia, Poland, 23 June 2016 - 23 June 2016
    Reports | 2016
    Weirick J; Hawken SG; Lawton J; Fischer K, 2016, City Visions II: method and design, UNSW Built Environment, UNSW, MUDD Folio
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2015, 'Complexity, Planning and Fuzzy Responsibilities in Canberra since Self-government.', in Complexity, Planning and Fuzzy Responsibilities in Canberra since Self-government., AESOP AESOP Conference, Definite Space-Fuzzy Responsibilities, Prague, Czech Republic, presented at AESOP AESOP Conference, Definite Space-Fuzzy Responsibilities, Prague, Czech Republic, 13 August 2015 - 16 August 2015
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2014, 'Sustainability as a key theme in the planning history of Canberra', in Silver C (ed.), Proceedings of the 16 th International Planning History Society, University of Florida, St. Augustine in Florida, pp. 344 - 376, presented at Conference of the International Planning History Society, St. Augustine in Florida, 20 July 2014 - 15 July 2014, http://iphs2014.dcp.ufl.edu/documents/Final/IPHS%202014-%20Full%20Papers-Volume%201-Final.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2014, 'Sustainability vs Resilience in the Planning History of Canberra', in Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Urban Sustainability and Resilience, London, UK, 3 – 5 November 2014, 2nd International Conference on Urban Sustainability and Resilience, London, UK, presented at 2nd International Conference on Urban Sustainability and Resilience, London, UK, 03 November 2014 - 05 November 2014
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2013, 'Canberra 2013 – Planning and Urban Development Challenges at the Centenary of the National Capital', in Ruming K; Randolph B; Gurran N (eds.), State of Australian Cities Conference 2013: Refereed Proceedings, SOAC Research Network, Sydney, presented at State of Australian Cities Conference 2013, Sydney, 26 November 2013 - 29 November 2013, http://www.soacconference.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fischer-Economy.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2013, 'Canberra 2013 – Planning and the Centennial', in Canberra 2013 – Planning and the Centennial, Planning for Resilient Cities & Regions, Joint AESOP/ACSP Congress, Dublin 2013, Dublin, presented at Planning for Resilient Cities & Regions, Joint AESOP/ACSP Congress, Dublin 2013, Dublin, 15 July 2013 - 19 July 2013
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Fischer KF; Weirick J, 2013, 'The Gift of the Griffins to the Continuing City', in The Gift of the Griffins to the Continuing City, A Cultivated City: The Griffins in Canberra, National Library of Australia Symposium, Canberra, presented at A Cultivated City: The Griffins in Canberra, National Library of Australia Symposium, Canberra, 02 May 2013 - 02 May 2013
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Fischer KF, 2013, 'Canberra - An International Perspective', in Canberra - An International Perspective, PLANNING INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA 2013 NATIONAL CONGRESS, presented at PLANNING INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA 2013 NATIONAL CONGRESS, 24 March 2013 - 27 March 2013
    Conference Papers | 2013
    Fischer KF, 2013, 'Keynote Lecture: Celebrating Canberra', in Keynote Lecture: Celebrating Canberra, PLANNING INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA 2013 NATIONAL CONGRESS, Canberra, presented at PLANNING INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA 2013 NATIONAL CONGRESS, Canberra, 24 March 2013 - 27 March 2013
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Fischer KF; Fischer KF, 2011, 'Canberra - 100 Years of Planning History - Paper and Outline for Round Table Talk', in Canberra - 100 Years of Planning History - Paper and Outline for Round Table Talk, World Planning Schools Conference, Perth, presented at World Planning Schools Conference, Perth, 04 July 2011 - 08 July 2011

Karl Fischer's research interests lie in internationally comparative perspectives in urban development & design, planning history and urban regeneration (Germany/ Australia/ UK/ USA/ France). In Australia, he is probably best known for his book “Canberra – Myths and Models”. Together with his UNSW colleague Prof. James Weirick, he is currently working on a follow-up publication of the book which includes the period between the 1980s and today to be entitled “Creating Canberra”. The second major current theme of research and publication has been addressed by his farewell conference at the University of Kassel, at which 26 planning historians from the UK, the US, Italy, France, Poland and Germany as well as 3 faculty members from UNSW discussed fundamental questions of planning history under the heading of "Windows Upon Planning History".