Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges from edX

Learn about today's urban challenges focusing on developing countries, referred to as the Global South. We will debate the benefits associated with three different themes, going beyond traditional urban strategies and policies:1. Spatial justiceHaving fair, inclusive and healthy urban contexts is one of the greatest challenges of cities in emerging economies. 2. Housing Provision and ManagementIncreasing demand in the Global South calls for alternative approaches in housing provision and management.3. Sustainable Urban TransitionsIn order to transition from our current (unsustainable) system towards a fair and sustainable future we need to pay attention to the social, economic, and cultural context.

In the course, we will address questions such as:

Is the 'just city' framework applicable to cities with extreme socio-economic inequality?
Can community-led housing initiatives provide effective solutions for households in need?
How can the transition towards an environmentally sustainable future also be socially just?

In this architecture and urban planning course, academic urban planning expertise from TU Delft is used to formulate possible answers to these questions, and is applied in a range of challenging case studies from Latin America, MENA region, Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, , among others. This course offers you a new perspective to understand and analyse the urban challenges of the Global South.

Through a combination of short theoretical lessons, presentation of case studies, testimonies from practitioners and practical assignments you will also learn how to develop a critical perspective about your own urban environment and how to translate this knowledge into analytical tools and innovative urban solutions.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Alternative theories in spatial justice, housing provision and management, and urban resilience
Application of analytical tools and innovative solutions to contemporary urban challenges

Develop a critical perspective about your own urban environment
New perspectives to understand and analyse the urban challenges of the global south

Alternative theories in spatial justice, housing provision and management, and urban resilience
Application of analytical tools and innovative solutions to contemporary urban challenges
Develop a critical perspective about your own urban environment
New perspectives to understand and analyse the urban challenges of the global south

Syllabus

Hot Topics: in these weeks you will also have access to additional videos that discuss hot topics in both the Global South and the urban development discourse. This will complement the content of the modules. These videos are completely optional and they won’t have quizzes or any required practical assignment.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines urban challenges from perspectives of developing countries

Taught by experts from TU Delft, a recognized institution in urban planning

Develops critical thinking and analytical skills for understanding urban environments

Offers practical tools and case studies for applying knowledge to real-world situations

Covers diverse topics relevant to urban planners, architects, and policymakers

May require prior knowledge of urban planning or related fields

Reviews summary

Rethink city: global south urban challenges

Learners say this course offers a highly relevant and comprehensive overview of urban challenges, with a distinctive and much-needed focus on the Global South. Students particularly praise the illuminating case studies and engaging lectures delivered by knowledgeable and passionate instructors, which effectively bridge theory with real-world application. While the extensive reading materials and overall workload were noted as challenging for some, the course is valued for providing a fresh perspective and enabling learners to develop critical insights and apply frameworks to their local contexts. It's considered an excellent resource for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of spatial justice, housing provision, and sustainable urban transitions.

Offers broad coverage; some desired more practical tools or deeper dives into specific policies.

"The content depth varied a bit between modules, but overall, it provided a good foundation."

"I would have liked more practical tools and less theory in some parts, especially for immediate application in my job."

"Some topics could have been explored in more depth, particularly concerning specific policy interventions."

"It covers a lot of ground, which is both a strength and a weakness. Some areas felt rushed..."

Forum discussions and optional 'Hot Topics' videos enhance the learning experience.

"The discussions in the forum were lively, though not always deeply moderated."

"I learned a lot from the 'Hot Topics' videos, even though they were optional."

"The 'Hot Topics' videos were a nice bonus, though they felt a bit supplementary rather than integral."

"The forum discussions could have been more structured."

Final assignments allow application to personal contexts, with constructive peer feedback.

"The peer review process was surprisingly helpful for refining my final assignment."

"The final assignment allowed me to apply the frameworks to my local context, which was invaluable."

"The peer feedback was constructive, and I learned as much from reviewing others' work as from my own assignments."

Instructors are experts who are engaging and passionate, making complex concepts accessible.

"The instructors were knowledgeable and passionate, and the peer review process was surprisingly helpful..."

"The lecturers were engaging, and I learned a lot from the 'Hot Topics' videos..."

"The instructors were phenomenal, bringing a wealth of experience and making the complex concepts accessible."

"A well-structured course with relevant content. The instructors are clearly experts in their fields."

Modules on Spatial Justice, Housing, and Sustainable Transitions are highly relevant and insightful.

"I found the module on Spatial Justice to be highly relevant to my work in urban policy."

"Truly transformative! This course deepened my understanding of spatial justice and its complexities..."

"I appreciated the emphasis on sustainable transitions and the practical assignments."

"I found the module on Housing Provision and Management particularly enlightening."

Real-world case studies provide concrete examples and deepen understanding.

"The case studies were particularly illuminating, offering concrete examples of the theories discussed."

"The combination of theoretical lessons and real-world case studies made the learning very effective."

"The case studies were very strong."

"The case studies from Latin America and Africa were eye-opening."

Offers a unique and crucial perspective on urban development in emerging economies.

"This course provided an incredibly insightful and comprehensive overview of urban challenges, with a much-needed focus on the Global South."

"The focus on the Global South is what truly sets it apart. It provided me with a fresh perspective on urban development."

"Valuable insights into urban issues. The Global South focus is commendable."

"It provided me with a fresh perspective on urban development challenges that traditional courses often miss."

The course involves a significant amount of reading and can feel like a heavy workload.

"The reading materials were extensive, sometimes a bit overwhelming, but very informative."

"I struggled with the workload, especially juggling the extensive readings with the assignments."

"The pace was good for me, but I can see how some might find the amount of reading challenging."

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 Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges with these activities:

Review urban planning concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of urban planning concepts to strengthen your foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Review urban planning principles and theories.
Read articles and watch videos on current trends in urban planning.
Participate in online forums or discussions on urban planning topics.

Review 'The Just City' by Susan Fainstein

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Gain insights into spatial justice theories and practices by reviewing 'The Just City'.

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Read the book.
Summarize the main arguments and theories presented in the book.
Critique the book's arguments and provide your own perspectives.

Participate in online discussion forums

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Engage with other students in discussions on course topics and share your perspectives.

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Join online discussion forums.
Read and respond to other students' posts.
Ask questions and share your own insights.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Develop a case study analysis

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Apply your understanding of urban planning principles by conducting a case study analysis of an urban challenge in your own context.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Identify an urban challenge in your own context.
Gather data and information about the challenge.
Analyze the challenge using urban planning theories and concepts.
Develop recommendations for addressing the challenge.

Practice analyzing case studies

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Sharpen your analytical skills by practicing analyzing case studies of urban challenges.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Read and analyze case studies.
Identify key issues and challenges.
Develop recommendations for addressing the challenges.

Design a social media campaign

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Create a social media campaign to raise awareness and engage the public in a specific urban planning issue.

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

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Identify a target audience.
Develop a campaign message and strategy.
Create social media content.
Monitor and evaluate the campaign's performance.

Create a course portfolio

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Organize and review course materials to enhance your understanding and retention.

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Gather notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Review and summarize the materials.
Create a digital or physical portfolio.

Career center

Learners who complete Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

As an Urban Planner, you will work to improve the built environment. You may also work towards enhancing accessibility and sustainability within your community, and you will be tasked with designing land use and zoning regulations. [Course Name] provides excellent insight into real-world issues in spatial justice, housing, and sustainable urban development efforts around the globe. This course would be especially helpful for those who want to work in developing nations, such as India or Nigeria.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Transportation Planner

As a Transportation Planner, you will plan and design safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems for people of all abilities and backgrounds. You will work to reduce traffic congestion, improve public transit, and promote walking and biking. [Course Name] helps build a foundation in sustainable urban development, such as the promotion of walking and biking for more sustainable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Environmental Planner

As an Environmental Planner, you will protect and improve the natural environment and promote sustainable development. You will work to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and mitigate the effects of climate change. [Course Name] explores environmental sustainability in depth, and you will learn about the social, economic, and cultural contexts of sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Housing Developer

As a Housing Developer, you will oversee the planning, construction, and management of affordable housing projects. You will work to create safe, healthy, and sustainable communities for people of all income levels. [Course Name] gives you experience in housing provision and management, which is essential for Housing Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Housing Developer

Real Estate Developer

As a Real Estate Developer, you will acquire, develop, and manage real estate projects. You may work on constructing residential, commercial, or industrial properties. [Course Name] will teach you about spatial justice, sustainability, and urban development, which are all important topics in real estate development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer

Urban Designer

As an Urban Designer, you will design and plan the physical environment of cities and towns. You will work to create beautiful, functional, and sustainable spaces for people to live, work, and play. [Course Name] educates you on important topics such as spatial justice and sustainable urban design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Landscape Architect

As a Landscape Architect, you will design and plan outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds. You will work to create beautiful, functional, and sustainable spaces for people to enjoy. The course on sustainable urban transitions will particularly help you to design sustainable and resilient landscapes in the face of global environmental change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Architect

As an Architect, you will design and construct buildings and other structures. You will work to create safe, functional, and sustainable spaces for people to live, work, and play. [Course Name] helps build a foundation in sustainable development and urban challenges that is important for Architects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Civil Engineer

As a Civil Engineer, you will design and construct infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and water treatment plants. You will work to create safe, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure for communities. [Course Name] will help you to understand the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing cities in the Global South, which will be valuable in your work as a Civil Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Construction Manager

As a Construction Manager, you will oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. You will work to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will introduce you to the challenges faced by construction in the Global South, particularly regarding housing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Sustainability Consultant

As a Sustainability Consultant, you will help organizations to reduce their environmental impact and improve their social and economic performance. You will work on projects related to climate change, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will give you a basic understanding of sustainability in urban environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will lead and coordinate projects of all sizes and complexities. You will work to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will teach you about the challenges of working in developing countries, particularly regarding housing and community development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you will research and analyze public policies. You will work to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of different policies and make recommendations for improvements. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will teach you about the challenges of urban policymaking in the Global South, especially regarding spatial justice and sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you will collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. You will work on projects related to marketing, finance, and operations. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will teach you about the challenges of data collection and analysis in developing countries, especially regarding housing and urban planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Journalist

As a Journalist, you will report on current events and issues. You will work to inform the public and hold those in power accountable. [Course Name] may be useful to you as it will teach you about the challenges of reporting on urban issues in the Global South, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist