Smart and Sustainable Cities: New Ways of Digitalization & Governance from edX

Urban planners, policy makers and managers have an important role in making cities and communities more sustainable and resilient by incentivizing and developing smart solutions. Medellín in Colombia is a good example of how effective governance and cooperation with citizens led to the remake of the city and transformed it to a safer environment with a thriving economy. But how can those initiatives be sustained and governed? How can we deal with the challenges along the way, like effective stakeholders’ engagement, conflicting interests, decision-making under deep uncertainty, interdependent problems, spatial justice, and the transformation towards a digital society? To sum it up: building smart sustainable cities initiatives requires a strong governance capacity and new approaches!

This course will:

provide the principles for incentivising, planning, developing and managing sustainable smart city initiatives
present an overview of the drivers and barriers for SSC development
present sustainability challenges and tools for SSC development
show practical recommendations to strengthen SSC governance capacity
introduce a smart city governance roadmap
explain the conditions for effective stakeholder engagement and ways to organize co-creation pathways
clarify the regulatory and legal framework for SSC including privacy and cybersecurity issues
describe the conditions to implement digital innovation that benefit citizens including data governance
show the importance of close monitoring and assessing SSC projects including data reliability and algorithms
equip you with knowledge and learnings from case studies from various projects that were carried out in Lain America, next to familiarizing you with common challenges that arise in the process. These cases range from urban transportation to participatory budgeting, safety and waste management applications, but always making the connection with the governance and sustainability aspects.

The course will be moderated in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

This MOOC is a spin-off of the EU-funded Cap4City project. This course has been developed, and will be delivered by experts in the field of Smart Sustainable Cities from twelve different universities in Latin America and Europe. You will find more information on the instructors while you navigate the course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Review governance challenges for ssc
Reflect and debate on how to set priorities for smart sustainable city initiatives planning and management
Understand how to engage stakeholders and involve citizens in ssc development and apply co-creation pathways with stakeholders

Observe the conditions and risks related to it and data governance in ssc
Define a draft of a governance and regulatory framework for implementing and monitoring ssc initiatives
Apply a roadmap for governing ssc initiatives in a real case

Review governance challenges for ssc
Reflect and debate on how to set priorities for smart sustainable city initiatives planning and management
Understand how to engage stakeholders and involve citizens in ssc development and apply co-creation pathways with stakeholders
Observe the conditions and risks related to it and data governance in ssc
Define a draft of a governance and regulatory framework for implementing and monitoring ssc initiatives
Apply a roadmap for governing ssc initiatives in a real case

Syllabus

Week 1:

Developing governance capacity and a comprehensive regulatory framework. Roadmap.

Week 2:

Addressing sustainability challenges

Week 3:

Planning Smart Sustainable Cities initiatives

Week 4:

Managing Smart Sustainable Cities initiatives

Week 5:

Effective Stakeholder engagement for co-design and co-creation

Week 6:

Managing digital innovation for SSC and ensuring trustworthy AI.

The course includes a number of assignments related to the roadmap

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches students about urban planning, policy making and management strategies for sustainable and resilient cities

Focuses on teaching practical frameworks and tools for governing smart sustainable city initiatives

Provides case studies from various projects around the world, allowing students to learn from real-world examples

Instructors are experts in the field and have experience in Smart Sustainable Cities

Provides a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching smart sustainable city initiatives by engaging with policy makers, practitioners, and scholars

Helps students understand the challenges and opportunities of governing smart sustainable cities

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 Smart and Sustainable Cities: New Ways of Digitalization & Governance with these activities:

Review Linear Regression

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Build a stronger foundation in Linear Regression to enhance understanding of statistical concepts in this course.

Browse courses on Linear Regression

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Review key concepts of linear regression, such as the linear equation, correlation, and coefficient of determination.
Practice solving linear regression problems using real-world data.

Support a Local Smart City Initiative

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Gain practical experience and contribute to your community by volunteering for a local smart city initiative.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Research and identify local organizations working on smart city projects.
Reach out to these organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer events and actively participate in supporting smart city initiatives.

Explore Geospatial Data Analysis with QGIS

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Enhance your understanding of geospatial data analysis by following tutorials to gain practical experience with QGIS.

Browse courses on Geospatial Data Analysis

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Complete a tutorial on importing and visualizing geospatial data in QGIS.
Follow a tutorial on performing spatial analysis tasks, such as buffer analysis or network analysis.
Explore additional tutorials to expand your knowledge of QGIS and geospatial data analysis.

Five other activities

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Contribute to an Open-Source Smart City Platform

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Enhance your technical skills and contribute to the smart city community by participating in an open-source platform.

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Identify an open-source smart city platform that aligns with your interests.
Review the platform's documentation and codebase to understand its functionality.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature development, or documentation improvements.
Submit your contributions to the platform's repository.

Host a Discussion on Smart City Governance

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and deepen your understanding of smart city governance.

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Prepare talking points and discussion questions related to smart city governance.
Facilitate a peer discussion, encouraging active participation and diverse viewpoints.
Summarize the key insights and takeaways from the discussion.

Develop a Smart City Implementation Plan

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Solidify your understanding of smart city implementation by creating a comprehensive plan that outlines the steps and considerations for a successful project.

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Identify the specific goals and objectives of the smart city initiative.
Develop a timeline and budget for the implementation.
Outline the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and partners.
Identify potential challenges and risks, along with mitigation strategies.

Participate in a Smart City Hackathon

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Immerse yourself in a collaborative environment and push your problem-solving skills by participating in a smart city hackathon.

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Form a team or join an existing team for the hackathon.
Brainstorm and develop a smart city solution within the hackathon timeframe.
Present your solution to a panel of judges.

Develop a Smart City Proposal

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Apply your knowledge of smart city initiatives by creating a solution-oriented proposal that addresses real-world challenges.

Browse courses on Smart Cities

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Identify a specific challenge or opportunity related to smart cities.
Research and gather data on the challenge or opportunity.
Develop a comprehensive proposal outlining your solution, including its implementation plan and potential impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Smart and Sustainable Cities: New Ways of Digitalization & Governance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Smart City Manager

Smart City Managers oversee the development and implementation of smart city initiatives. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders, including city officials, businesses, and community groups, to develop and implement plans for using technology to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life in urban areas. This course may be useful for Smart City Managers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of smart city initiatives and discusses how to develop and implement effective smart city strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Smart City Manager

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to develop and implement solutions to business problems. This may involve collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify patterns and trends, and developing models to predict future outcomes. This course may be useful for Data Scientists as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and implement software applications. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify software requirements, design software architectures, and implement and test software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computing technologies. This may involve developing new algorithms, designing new computer architectures, and developing new software applications. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and implement mechanical systems. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify system requirements, develop system architectures, and implement and test systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies for government and non-profit organizations. This may involve researching issues, identifying policy options, and evaluating the potential impacts of different policy decisions. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, develop, and implement civil engineering systems. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify system requirements, develop system architectures, and implement and test systems. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects to achieve specific goals. This may involve developing project plans, budgets, and timelines, and managing project teams. This course may be useful for Project Managers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and implement electrical systems. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify system requirements, develop system architectures, and implement and test systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design, develop, and implement industrial engineering systems. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify system requirements, develop system architectures, and implement and test systems. This course may be useful for Industrial Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design and develop complex systems. This may involve working with a variety of stakeholders to identify system requirements, develop system architectures, and implement and test systems. This course may be useful for Systems Engineers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers plan and implement information technology systems for organizations. This may involve developing IT strategies, managing IT budgets, and overseeing IT staff. This course may be useful for Information Technology Managers as it provides an overview of the challenges and benefits of using data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban planning and management.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop and implement plans for the development and use of land in urban areas. This may involve working with local governments, businesses, and community groups to create plans that promote economic development, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for residents. This course may be useful for Urban Planners as it provides the principles for incentivising, planning, developing and managing sustainable smart city initiatives.

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Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts perform research and consulting work to help organizations develop and implement strategies for sustainability. This may involve assessing an organization's environmental and social performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing plans to reduce negative impacts. This course may be useful for Sustainability Analysts as it provides an overview of the drivers and barriers for SSC development and presents sustainability challenges and tools for SSC development.

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Environmental Manager

Environmental Managers develop and implement environmental management plans for organizations. This may involve assessing an organization's environmental performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing plans to reduce negative impacts. This course may be useful for Environmental Managers as it provides an overview of the drivers and barriers for SSC development and presents sustainability challenges and tools for SSC development.

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