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”.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Innovative urban governance: global perspectives

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive overview of urban governance through the urban value chain (planning, governance, regeneration). Many found the content highly relevant and appreciated the global perspective brought by expert lecturers from the EPFL executive program. While praised for its solid theoretical framework and insightful case studies, some students noted it was theory-heavy and wished for more practical application or actionable advice. It provides a strong foundation for understanding complex urban challenges, though those seeking advanced, hands-on skills might find it somewhat superficial in depth.

Content is relevant but some lecture styles felt less engaging.

"Good course with valuable content... Some lectures felt a bit dry, and I wished for more interactive elements."

"The content is dense, requiring dedication, but it's worth it for the breadth of knowledge."

"Some of the lecture delivery styles varied, with a few being less engaging than others."

Clarifies concepts using concrete, real-world urban examples.

"The case studies were particularly insightful and made the theoretical concepts tangible."

"The focus on concrete case studies is excellent, providing real-world context."

"I appreciated seeing how the concepts applied in various global urban settings."

Diverse, knowledgeable instructors offer global insights.

"The lecturers were truly experts in their fields, bringing a global perspective with practical case studies."

"The diverse group of lecturers was a major strength, each bringing unique insights."

"I valued the insights from EPFL's executive program, evident throughout the course."

Provides a broad and deep understanding of urban systems.

"This course provided an incredibly comprehensive overview of urban governance."

"The breadth of topics covered was impressive, touching on planning, governance, and regeneration thoroughly."

"It helped me gain a solid theoretical framework for the entire urban value chain."

Broad coverage, but lacks depth for experienced practitioners.

"I found this course somewhat superficial. It touches on many topics but doesn't go deep enough into any of them."

"As someone with prior experience, I was hoping for more advanced material rather than just a primer."

"It might be better for absolute beginners, but not for experienced practitioners seeking deep dives."

Strong theoretical base, but less emphasis on practical tools.

"While the theoretical foundations are strong, I found myself longing for more actionable advice or practical tools."

"It's very theory-heavy. For someone seeking hands-on application, this isn't the best fit."

"I felt it was more like an academic overview rather than a guide for immediate application."

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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Assess City Infrastructure

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

Browse courses on Urban 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