On Monday afternoon, students had the opportunity to explore Bad Harzburg in small groups. The self-guided tour was facilitated by the Actionbound app, which provided historical background information and focused on urban planning, transportation, and “liveable” towns and communities. As a small town, Bad Harzburg presents a different perspective on urban planning compared to larger cities. Students were able to explore how the town has been designed to meet the needs of its residents while also catering to tourists. They also experienced a unique mode of transportation, a cable car, to go up a mountain (Burgberg) where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. The cable car has been in operation since 1929 and has transported over 27 million passengers to the summit of the mountain, which stands at 483 meters above sea level. It can carry up to 18 guests per gondola and takes only three minutes to reach the summit. It is almost unique in its design as there are only two other cable cars world wide which are similar (one of them located in Barcelona).

Bad Harzburg is a city located in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the northern slope of the Harz mountains and is near the National Park. The city is known for its winter sports and is a spa town. In spring, summer, and autumn, tourist enjoy the many hiking paths in the area. It has a rich history, with a castle built by Emperor Henry IV in 1066 on the Burgberg. The ruins of the castle remain, and there are also remnants of an altar dedicated to the pagan god Krodo. 

Some other popular tourist attractions which students passed by are:

• Baumwipfelpfad: A nature and wildlife area that offers a unique experience of walking on a treetop path. It was built with the help of European funding.
  The path is approximately 1,000 meters long and 26 meters high at the entrance crown. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Harz National Park and the surrounding area while walking on the path. The path also provides information about the environment, geology, and history of the area. The project received funding from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen its competitiveness in the tourism industry.
• Jungbrunnen: A fountain with naughty little statues that is a fun attraction for all ages. It is a fountain located in the city centre and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It was designed by the artist Jochen Müller from Quedlinburg. The fountain features a variety of different figures, including a naked king, an old man with a cane, a young mermaid looking at herself in a mirror, and a small devil. The figures are arranged in a humorous way and are meant to represent the different stages of life. "Jungbrunnen" is a German noun that means “Fountain of Youth”. It refers to a source whose water promises healing and rejuvenation to those who drink it or bathe in it. Because of this, there is a direct connection to the ...
• Wandelhalle: A is a historic building that was built in 1898 and is known for its impressive dome. The building has a rich history and was originally constructed as part of the city’s bathhouse and “Wandelbahn”. This is a term used to describe a covered walkway or promenade, often found in spa towns and resorts. In Bad Harzburg, the Wandelbahn was part of the city’s bathhouse. It was a popular destination for visitors to the city and was used as a place to stroll and take in the fresh air. Today, the Wandelbahn is no longer in use, but the Wandelhalle, which was also part of the city’s bathhouse, remains a popular tourist attraction. The Wandelhalle is a popular tourist attraction and is known for its Trinkbrunnen, where visitors can sample the Harzburger Quellen (water sources), including the Krodo-Brunnen and the Barbarossa-Brunnen. These are said to be good for the intestines (stomach, digestive system) and have a (more or less) salty taste. Historically, one reason for the economic success of Bad Harzburg is the discovery of the healing water sources.

The learning outcomes of this activity were significant. Students gained an understanding of the elements of urban planning, transportation, and environmental aspects. They were able to see how these elements are an ongoing process, even in smaller communities. This knowledge will be useful for them on Friday when they will “distil” a presentation on various topics related to the theme of mobility and urban monsters.