Cities and Consumption: Urban Sustainability and the Sharing Economy from Coursera

How can we govern consumption and the sharing economy in our cities?

This course explores cities, consumption and the sharing economy in Europe and around the world. We connect together the key themes of the sharing economy, cities, governance, consumption and urban sustainability. We explore how the sharing economy can contribute to increasing social, environmental and economic sustainability. And we argue that it is imperative that the sharing economy is shaped and designed to advance urban sustainability.

This course was launched in May 2020, and it was updated in September 2021 with new podcasts, films and publications. This course is produced by Lund University in cooperation with partners from Sharing Cities Sweden – a national program for the sharing economy in cities with a focus on governance and sustainability. It features researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs from a range organisations.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 – Sharing Cities: Governing and Regulating

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of the sharing economy in cities. The concept of sharing cities is presented and discussed in relation to governance and urban sustainability with examples from Europe and around the world.

Week 2 – Sharing Cities: Leading and Visioning

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of self-governing (or leading by example) by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Stockholm are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 3 – Sharing Cities: Providing and Evaluating

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of providing by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Umeå are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 4 – Sharing Cities: Enabling and Engaging

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of enabling by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Gothenburg are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 5 – Sharing Cities: Collaborating and Innovating

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of collaborating by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Malmö are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines environmental and economic advantages of sharing economy in cities

Explores governance and urban sustainability in the sharing economy

Taught by recognized researchers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs

Focuses on practical experiences and examples from European cities

Provides different municipal perspectives on shaping the sharing economy

Requires learners to have prior understanding of sharing economy

Reviews summary

Sharing economy success stories

Learners say this course on sharing economy is largely positive! Students and learners are highly satisfied with its engaging assignments and concrete examples. It explores sharing initiatives in Europe, helping you understand the governance challenges and opportunities around them. The course's innovative approach and focus on cities has been highly valued in reviews.

Students would like to see more online MS programs from Lund University.

"All of the Lund Univ. MOOCs have been great - I wish they had more online MS programs :)"

The lectures and readings in this course are engaging and informative.

"It was an extremely informative and engaging course."

"Videos and readings are so useful and informative."

"The premise is quite enticing and the long term positive impact palpable."

Valuable knowledge on sharing economies with real-life examples and case studies.

"Live examples of sharing experienced in European cities... have been revealing and serve as example for other similar interested cities."

"informative course with to the point examples and case studies."

"Excellent course with concrete examples and cases !"

Some learners found the cost to be expensive.

"Too expensive for the quantity of information and quantitative skills learned. "

Some students found the language of written content to be complex.

"I enjoyed this course a lot. It is such an interesting topic... The only down-side was that the main lecturer was very hard to understand (I started reading the transcript instead of watching their videos). The language of the written material in general is incredibly convoluted and academic which might stem from having been translated to English."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cities and Consumption: Urban Sustainability and the Sharing Economy with these activities:

Review the concepts of Sharing Economy

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Reviewing the basic principles of sharing economy will lay the foundation for deeper understanding of the course materials.

Browse courses on Sharing Economy

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Review the lecture slides and notes from previous courses or online resources on sharing economy.
Attend a workshop or webinar on sharing economy.

Attend a Sharing Economy conference or workshop

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Attending industry events will provide exposure to experts, innovative ideas, and networking opportunities.

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Identify relevant conferences or workshops on sharing economy.
Register for the event and prepare questions or topics for discussion.
Attend the event and actively participate in sessions and networking.

Explore case studies on Sharing Economy

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Examining real-world examples of sharing economy will provide practical insights and enhance understanding.

Browse courses on Sharing Economy

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Identify reputable sources for case studies on sharing economy, such as industry reports, academic journals, or company websites.
Read and analyze the case studies, focusing on the implementation, challenges, and outcomes of sharing economy initiatives.

Four other activities

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Create a presentation on Sharing Economy trends and forecasts

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Developing a presentation on industry trends will enhance understanding of the evolving landscape of sharing economy.

Browse courses on Sharing Economy

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Research industry reports, articles, and data on the latest trends and forecasts in sharing economy.
Analyze the data and identify key insights and patterns.
Create a visually engaging presentation that summarizes the findings and provides insights into the future of sharing economy.

Analyze governance frameworks for Sharing Economy

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Engaging in practical analysis of governance frameworks will deepen understanding of how sharing economy is regulated and managed.

Browse courses on Governance Frameworks

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Collect different governance frameworks related to sharing economy from government agencies, industry associations, or academic institutions.
Review and compare the frameworks, identifying similarities, differences, and best practices.
Develop a table or infographic summarizing the key findings of the analysis.

Debate the social and environmental impact of Sharing Economy

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Engaging in critical discussions with peers will foster a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact of sharing economy.

Browse courses on Social Impact

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Form a peer group with diverse perspectives on the social and environmental implications of sharing economy.
Prepare arguments and evidence to support different viewpoints.
Participate in a structured debate, presenting arguments and engaging in respectful dialogue.
Summarize the key points and insights gained from the debate.

Develop a Sharing Economy business plan

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Creating a business plan for a sharing economy venture will provide hands-on experience in applying course concepts to real-world scenarios.

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Identify a specific sharing economy business opportunity.
Conduct market research and analysis to determine the target audience, competition, and potential revenue streams.
Develop a business model canvas or lean canvas to outline the key components of the business.
Create financial projections and a marketing plan.
Present the business plan to a group of peers or mentors for feedback and evaluation.

Career center

Learners who complete Cities and Consumption: Urban Sustainability and the Sharing Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan the use of land and the built environment to maximize sustainability and quality of life in cities. They may also work to improve transportation systems, housing, and other city services. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in urban planning and how it can be used to create more sustainable and livable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their social and economic performance. They may work with businesses, governments, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in sustainability and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They may work on projects such as water treatment, air pollution control, and waste management. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing environmental impacts and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop and implement plans to improve transportation systems. They may work on projects such as road design, public transportation, and traffic management. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing transportation emissions and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Energy Manager

Energy Managers develop and implement plans to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. They may work with businesses, governments, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing energy consumption and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Manager

Waste Management Specialist

Waste Management Specialists develop and implement plans to reduce waste generation and improve waste management practices. They may work with businesses, governments, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing waste generation and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Waste Management Specialist

Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Managers develop and implement plans to manage water resources. They may work with businesses, governments, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing water consumption and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Land Use Planner

Land Use Planners develop and implement plans to manage land use. They may work with businesses, governments, or non-profit organizations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in land use planning and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Land Use Planner

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. They may work on projects such as pollution control, climate change, and natural resource management. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in reducing environmental impacts and how it can be used to create more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and natural features. They may work on projects such as land use planning, environmental assessment, and climate change. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in shaping cities and how it can be used to create more sustainable urban environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Sociologist

Sociologists study human society and social interactions. They may work on projects such as urban planning, social policy, and economic development. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in shaping social and economic relationships in cities and how it can be used to create more sustainable and equitable urban environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may work on projects such as economic development, financial planning, and public policy. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in the urban economy and how it can be used to create more sustainable and equitable economic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Political Scientist

Political Scientists study politics and government. They may work on projects such as public policy, electoral campaigns, and international relations. This course can help you understand the role of the sharing economy in urban governance and how it can be used to create more sustainable and democratic cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Historian

Historians study the past and its impact on the present. They may work on projects such as teaching, research, and writing. This course may be useful for Historians who are interested in learning more about the history of the sharing economy and its role in shaping cities.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They may work on projects such as cultural preservation, social development, and environmental conservation. This course may be useful for Anthropologists who are interested in learning more about the social and cultural aspects of the sharing economy and its role in shaping cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist