Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems from Coursera

Learn about the three phases of the urban value chain: planning, governance and regeneration. With lecturers from all around the world and concrete case studies, this course will give you a comprehensive overview about the “Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems”.

This course has assembled some of the most relevant experiences and knowledge from our Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems (IGLUS) Executive Master’s program, which has been offered by EPFL during the past 5 years. IGLUS consists of 2-week action-learning organized in over 10 major cities around the world, during which participants acquire an in-depth understanding of the challenges cities are facing and the ways they are addressing them. This MOOC will share this knowledge with you, thanks to some of our lecturers from various disciplines and from all around the world.

During this course, you will learn about the three phases of the urban value chain, which are: planning, governance and regeneration. In particular, we will address the unique challenges of the phases and ask questions such as: how to design cities? How to govern them, especially when it comes to their institutional, financial, economic and social dimensions? And how to regenerate urban spaces?

What's inside

Syllabus

Preamble

Designing cities

Welcome to the first week of the MOOC! This week, we will be addressing the first phase of the urban value chain: planning. Why do we talk about urban planning? Cities are human-made environments and are therefore constructed; and construction is planned. We want to understand how urban planning plays a fundamental role to make the city humane, liveable and an accessible social space to its inhabitants. The objective of the week is therefore to understand the complexities involved in the “production of space”.

Governing cities - Part 1

Welcome to the second week of the MOOC! We will address the second phase of the urban value chain! Governance. What is relevant for governance? There are first the institutions and their history, the resources available and those that are to be developed; and more recently we have observed the impact on digitalization on governance. We now want to explore how digitalization can actually improve it. The objective of the second week is to analyse the institutional, organizational and financial issues of metropolitan governance.

Governing cities - Part 2

Welcome to the third week of the MOOC! We are still dealing with governance, but this week, we will be addressing the economic and social perspectives. In every city, there are economic and social inequities. Different groups of population have differentiated access to urban infrastructure and services. The objective of the week is to discuss social justice issues of governing urban infrastructure and explore ways and means to address them.

Regenerating cities

Welcome to the last week of the MOOC! We are now dealing with the third phase of the urban value-chain: regeneration. Why is this phase important? Every city has pockets of underused land or distressed and decaying urban areas. They weaken the city’s image, liveability and productivity. Urban regeneration is a strategy to address inner cities decline and deprivation. On the other hand, local governments may be willing to expand urban areas and create new cities. The objective of the week is to understand urban regeneration strategies and analyse the creation of new cities.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for experienced urban professionals

Instructors are experts in urban governance

Covers institutional, economic, social perspective of urban governance

Provides case studies for in-depth understanding

Taught by professors from multiple disciplines

Requires a strong foundation in urban planning

Reviews summary

Engaging course on urban governance

Learners say this engaging online course on innovative governance of large urban systems provides a concise overview of governance methodologies. It features short videos, case studies, and real-world examples to make governance concepts both interesting and relevant. This course is well received and provides a global perspective on urban governance. Reviewers state that it offers insights that are valuable to those seeking to make a positive impact in their community or on a larger scale.

Flexible learning format allows for self-paced study.

"The online format allows for flexibility in learning, and the course is accessible to a wide range of learners, regardless of their background or experience."

Instructors are passionate and provide valuable feedback.

"The instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter, and they provide valuable insights and feedback throughout the course."

Bridges the gap between theory and practice with real-world examples.

"One of the key strengths of the course is its emphasis on practical solutions and real-world examples, which helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice."

"The course also provides a global perspective on urban governance, highlighting the diverse approaches and experiences from cities around the world."

Engaging format with concise videos, case studies, and interactive exercises.

"The course is well-structured and engaging, with informative lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises that make the content both interesting and relevant."

"This course provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities of governing large urban systems, with a focus on innovative and sustainable solutions."

Some reviewers found the course too basic.

"TOO much basic, there is not depth in the lectures, which is very unfortunate in order to very interesting topics."

"Good for those who have not knowledge of urban planning"

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 Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems with these activities:

Connect with Urban Planning Professionals

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Gain insights from experienced professionals by seeking out mentors in urban planning.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Identify individuals in your network or community who work in urban planning.
Reach out and request a meeting to discuss their work and experiences.
Follow up regularly and ask specific questions to gain guidance and advice.

City Planning Resource Database

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Enhance your understanding of city planning by curating a database of relevant resources.

Browse courses on City Planning

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Identify key topics and subtopics related to city planning.
Conduct online research to find articles, reports, books, and websites.
Organize the resources into a structured database or spreadsheet.
Annotate each resource with a brief summary or notes.

Urban Governance Forum

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Engage with professionals and experts in urban governance by attending an industry forum.

Browse courses on Urban Governance

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Research upcoming urban governance forums in your area.
Register for the forum and make travel arrangements if necessary.
Attend the forum and actively participate in discussions and networking.
Follow up with contacts made at the forum and explore potential collaborations.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Assess City Infrastructure

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Reinforce your understanding of urban infrastructure by performing an assessment of your local city's infrastructure.

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Identify essential infrastructure components (e.g., roads, bridges, water systems).
Research best practices and standards for each component.
Conduct a site inspection to observe the condition of the infrastructure.
Analyze data and identify areas for improvement.
Develop recommendations for upgrades or maintenance.

Urban Planning Case Studies

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Sharpen your analytical skills by solving urban planning case studies.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Access case studies from reputable sources or online repositories.
Read and analyze the case studies, identifying key issues and challenges.
Develop and evaluate potential solutions, considering various perspectives.
Present your findings and recommendations, justifying your rationale.

Participate in a Neighborhood Revitalization Project

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Contribute to urban regeneration by volunteering in a neighborhood revitalization project.

Browse courses on Urban Regeneration

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Identify local organizations involved in neighborhood revitalization.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Commit to a specific project and attend regular volunteer sessions.
Engage with community members and participate in various activities.

Contribute to Urban Planning Tools

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Enhance your understanding of urban planning by contributing to open-source tools and projects.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Identify open-source projects related to urban planning or data analysis.
Join the project community and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements.
Submit pull requests with your contributions and actively engage with the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

As an Urban Planner, you will work on how best to construct cities with consideration to the environment, economy, and residents. This course covers the full lifecycle of a city, from its inception to its ongoing operation. With its focus on helping shape a city's future, this course is an excellent introduction to a profession that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in urban communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Architect

As an Architect, you will be involved in the design of cities. This course will provide a solid foundation in the planning and governance of large urban systems that will help you to succeed in the role. You will learn about the various factors that need to be considered when designing a city, such as the needs of the population, the environment, and the economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Civil Engineer

As a Civil Engineer, you may be part of the team that designs and builds the physical infrastructure of a city, such as roads, bridges, and water systems. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Urban Designer

As an Urban Designer, you will work on the design of cities, with a focus on the aesthetics and functionality of the built environment. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Real Estate Developer

As a Real Estate Developer, you will be involved in the development of land and buildings in urban areas. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer

City Manager

As a City Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of a city. This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the planning, governance, and regeneration of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Manager

Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives in urban areas. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Transportation Planner

As a Transportation Planner, you will be responsible for planning and designing transportation systems in urban areas. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Environmental Planner

As an Environmental Planner, you will be responsible for planning and implementing environmental protection measures in urban areas. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Economic Development Specialist

As an Economic Development Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and implementing economic development strategies in urban areas. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economic Development Specialist

Public Policy Analyst

As a Public Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating public policies in urban areas. This course will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems, which will be essential for your success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Urban Sociologist

As an Urban Sociologist, you will study the social and economic dynamics of urban areas. This course may be useful for you as it will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Sociologist

Journalist

As a Journalist, you may cover urban affairs and development. This course may be useful for you as it will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems.

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Nonprofit Manager

As a Nonprofit Manager, you may lead an organization that works on urban issues. This course may be useful for you as it will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Teacher

As a Teacher, you may teach social studies or geography and cover urban planning and development. This course may be useful for you as it will provide you with a solid understanding of the planning and governance of large urban systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher