Building expertise on developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure from edX

Drawing on the most recent developments in the area of social and environmental science as well as the expertise of practitioners this course will help you to understand what constitutes sustainable and resilient Infrastructure and teaches you how to achieve sustainable and resilient development goals through infrastructure development. In this context you will be introduced to SuRe®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure and you will learn how SuRe® helps to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.

In the current global context of rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change and biodiversity degradation, developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects is one of the most urgent challenges.

Because Infrastructure lasts so long the kind of infrastructure we build today matters well into the future. That means, our infrastructure choices today influence the quality of the life of our children and their children. In the forthcoming 15-20 year we are going to build about 1.5 times the infrastructure that already exists today. We have to make sure that our decisions and investments are made wisely.

This course provides knowledge, builds expertise and provides tools on the planning, financing, procurement and contracting of sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects.You will be introduced to SuRe®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure and you will learn the set of criteria SuRe® applies in order to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient. Drawing on the most recent developments in the area of social and environmental science as well as the expertise of practitioners this course will help you to understand what constitutes sustainable and resilient Infrastructure, motivates you to want more of it and teaches you how to achieve it so that more sustainable and resilient infrastructure will be built in future.

This course comprises of six weeks. In week 1-5, you will watch videos, read articles and review and reflect your learning and thoughts through engaging quizzes and activities. In week 6 you will critically reflect and apply your learning on a specific project in a written essay. You will also help others in providing and receiving meaningful feedback on their project.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the concept of sustainable infrastructure as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
Become aware of its importance and understanding key bottlenecks and obstacles for sustainable infrastructure development which is an important element within the sustainable development goals.
Gain particular insight into both local capacity constraints and structural constraints based on examples/situations in different infrastructure areas both in developing and developed countries.
Learn about sure®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure development and understand its criteria that help to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
Get to know further tools and instruments to assess and evaluate infrastructure projects and learn when and how to apply them.

Better understand the dynamics and interactions between the planning, implementing and financing stakeholders.
Become aware of the importance of the procurement and contracting phase in order to also legally ensure the sustainability of the project.
Be able to apply and practice those tools and their learning on specific and currently running infrastructure projects.
This mooc aims to improve the understanding of sustainable infrastructure, its social, economic and environmental relevance, its complexity, challenges and opportunities. also, we will introduce various tools that help both the constructing, public and financial sector to assess and evaluate infrastructure projects in order to ensure their sustainability. among these tools, we will discuss in more detail sure®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure development.
Learning objectives of this course:

Understand the concept of sustainable infrastructure as a cornerstone for sustainable development.
Become aware of its importance and understanding key bottlenecks and obstacles for sustainable infrastructure development which is an important element within the sustainable development goals.
Gain particular insight into both local capacity constraints and structural constraints based on examples/situations in different infrastructure areas both in developing and developed countries.
Learn about sure®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure development and understand its criteria that help to make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
Get to know further tools and instruments to assess and evaluate infrastructure projects and learn when and how to apply them.
Better understand the dynamics and interactions between the planning, implementing and financing stakeholders.
Become aware of the importance of the procurement and contracting phase in order to also legally ensure the sustainability of the project.
Be able to apply and practice those tools and their learning on specific and currently running infrastructure projects.
This mooc aims to improve the understanding of sustainable infrastructure, its social, economic and environmental relevance, its complexity, challenges and opportunities. also, we will introduce various tools that help both the constructing, public and financial sector to assess and evaluate infrastructure projects in order to ensure their sustainability. among these tools, we will discuss in more detail sure®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure development.
Learning objectives of this course:

Syllabus

Week 0: Welcome & IntroductionCourse OverviewDefinition of and introduction into sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Week 1: Infrastructure and the EnvironmentChallenges on the environmental system and how sustainable and resilient infrastructure can help to relieve them. Introduction into SuRe® Standard.SuRe® Standard and the environment and practical applications.

Week 2: Infrastructure and the SocietyHow sustainable and resilient infrastructure help to promote a better society.SuRe® Standard and the society and practical applications.

Week 3: The Governance of InfrastructureThe Governance of Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Projects.SuRe® and Project Governance and practical applications.

Week 4: Tools for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure – the SuRe® StandardIntroduction and applications of tools that assist the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Week 5: Sustainable Infrastructure ProcurementPrinciples of sustainable infrastructure procurement and their implementation.

Week 6: Synthesis and final course work.Reflection and learning application on a specific project in a written essay.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides knowledge, builds expertise and provides tools on the planning, financing, procurement and contracting of sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects

Develops the understanding of sustainable infrastructure, its social, economic and environmental relevance, its complexity, challenges and opportunities

Taught by Bruno OBERLE, Katharina Rehfeld, Katharina Schneider-Roos, Louis Downing, Peter Boswell, who have expertise in social and environmental science and infrastructure development

Examines the tools and instruments to assess and evaluate infrastructure projects

Introduces SuRe®, an international voluntary standard for infrastructure development, which helps planners assess and evaluate infrastructure projects and ensure their sustainability

Explicitly requires students to have extensive background knowledge first

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 Building expertise on developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure with these activities:

Recall social science concepts

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Recall key social science concepts to strengthen understanding of the course materials

Browse courses on Social Science

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Review notes or textbooks from previous social science courses
Watch videos or documentaries related to social science topics
Participate in discussions or forums on social science issues

Review environmental science concepts

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Review fundamental environmental science concepts to prepare for the course materials

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Identify key concepts in environmental science
Read articles or textbooks to refresh knowledge
Take practice quizzes or exercises

Review infrastructure planning principles

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Refresh your knowledge of infrastructure planning principles to better understand the course materials.

Browse courses on Infrastructure Planning

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Review notes and assignments from previous courses related to infrastructure planning.
Read articles and books on infrastructure planning.
Attend a workshop or seminar on infrastructure planning.

Nine other activities

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Practice concepts in environmental science

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Refreshing your environmental science knowledge may help you connect with the concepts and issues covered throughout the course, making them more approachable, recognizable, and easier to apply in different contexts.

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Review the fundamentals of ecology, pollution, climate change, and natural resources management
Read articles and scientific publications on current environmental issues
Complete online quizzes and practice exam questions on key concepts in environmental science

Compile study materials from previous courses

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Putting together study materials from previous courses may serve as a good refresher for concepts and technical skills related to urban planning and sustainable development.

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Gather notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams from relevant courses
Organize materials by topic and relevance
Review key concepts and technical details as a way to refresh your memory

Learn about the SuRe® Standard

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Deepen your understanding of the SuRe® Standard, its principles, and application.

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Review the official SuRe® Standard documentation
Attend a webinar or online course on SuRe®
Complete exercises or case studies related to SuRe®

Explore online tutorials on SuRe® standard

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Enhance your understanding of the SuRe® standard by exploring online tutorials and resources.

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Search for online tutorials on SuRe® standard.
Select tutorials that cover the aspects of SuRe® you want to learn more about.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and take notes.

Participate in a peer-learning group on sustainable infrastructure

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Engage with peers to discuss and learn about sustainable infrastructure practices, sharing knowledge and experiences.

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Join an online or in-person peer-learning group focused on sustainable infrastructure.
Attend regular meetings and actively participate in discussions.
Share your knowledge and experiences with other group members.

Develop a Sustainable Infrastructure Plan

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Apply your knowledge to a real-world scenario by creating a plan for a sustainable infrastructure project.

Browse courses on Infrastructure Development

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Identify a specific infrastructure project or area of interest
Conduct research and gather data on sustainability aspects
Develop a plan outlining sustainable design, materials, and construction practices

Develop an infrastructure sustainability assessment framework

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Create a framework to assess the sustainability of infrastructure projects, applying the concepts learned in the course.

Browse courses on Infrastructure Sustainability

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Identify the key sustainability indicators for infrastructure projects.
Develop a methodology for collecting and analyzing data on these indicators.
Create a report template for presenting the assessment results.

Apply SuRe® criteria to real-world infrastructure projects

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Reinforce your understanding of SuRe® by applying its criteria to actual infrastructure projects, evaluating their sustainability.

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Identify a real-world infrastructure project to analyze.
Gather data on the project's environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Apply the SuRe® criteria to assess the project's sustainability.
Write a report summarizing your findings.

Develop a proposal for a sustainable infrastructure project

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Apply the knowledge gained in the course to develop a comprehensive proposal for a sustainable infrastructure project.

Browse courses on Sustainable Infrastructure

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Identify a need for a sustainable infrastructure project in your community or region.
Research different sustainable infrastructure technologies and practices.
Develop a project proposal that outlines the project's goals, objectives, and implementation plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Building expertise on developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Civil Engineers to design and build infrastructure that is both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Civil Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the development of cities and towns. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Urban Planners to create plans that promote sustainable development. This course can help Urban Planners to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental issues. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Environmental Engineers to design and build infrastructure that is both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Environmental Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations to improve their environmental performance. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Sustainability Consultants to advise their clients on how to develop and implement sustainable infrastructure projects. This course can help Sustainability Consultants to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the development and implementation of projects. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Project Managers to manage projects that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Project Managers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Policy Analysts to develop policies that promote sustainable development. This course can help Policy Analysts to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with human activities. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Environmental Scientists to understand the environmental impacts of infrastructure projects, and to develop mitigation strategies. This course can help Environmental Scientists to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers design and build the structural elements of buildings and other structures. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Structural Engineers to design and build structures that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Structural Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Energy Engineer

Energy Engineers design and build energy systems, such as power plants and distribution networks. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Energy Engineers to design and build energy systems that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Energy Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Engineer

Water Resources Engineer

Water Resources Engineers design and build water systems, such as dams, reservoirs, and pipelines. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Water Resources Engineers to design and build water systems that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Water Resources Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers design and build transportation systems, such as roads, bridges, and railways. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Transportation Engineers to design and build transportation systems that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Transportation Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks and gardens. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Landscape Architects to design outdoor spaces that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Landscape Architects to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

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Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineers design and build foundations and other structures that are in contact with the ground. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Geotechnical Engineers to design and build structures that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Geotechnical Engineers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geotechnical Engineer

Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the construction of buildings and other infrastructure projects. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Construction Managers to build projects that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Construction Managers to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Architect

Architects design buildings and other structures. An understanding of sustainable infrastructure can help Architects to design buildings that are both environmentally friendly and resilient to the effects of climate change. This course can help Architects to learn about the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure, and how to apply these principles to their own work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect