We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
edX logo

Urban Ecology Design

Nico Tillie and Rosa de Wolf

As our urban habitats become increasingly complex, the need to address the challenges of accommodating a growing human population becomes ever more pressing. These challenges, intricately intertwined with the built environment and its wider surroundings, encompass the perils of heat stress, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, flood risks, and the urgent need to adapt to a changing climate.

Read more

As our urban habitats become increasingly complex, the need to address the challenges of accommodating a growing human population becomes ever more pressing. These challenges, intricately intertwined with the built environment and its wider surroundings, encompass the perils of heat stress, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, flood risks, and the urgent need to adapt to a changing climate.

Designed for a wide range of professionals – architects, landscape architects, urbanists, civil engineers, water managers, decision-makers, budget holders, policymakers and any green stakeholders – this course offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding and develop your skills so as to incorporate biodiversity and urban ecology into your designs, policies and practices.

You will delve into the art and science of nature-based urban design, exploring innovative concepts such as (tree) wadis that not only enhance water infiltration and biodiversity but also improve the overall quality of urban spaces.

This course focuses on how to plan spaces for biodiversity. It will show how to bring benefits through ecosystem services as well as examining the spatial layouts and distribution of ecotypes required throughout the built environment, or its agricultural or natural surroundings. The water system, habitat and species level will be the main approach.

Our ApproachOur approach to Urban Ecology Design goes beyond conventional practices, aiming to increase ecological functioning within cities. The core philosophy is to strike a harmonious balance between human culture and the natural environment, considering both the potential and limitations of natural systems, and the intricate relationships between different living organisms, including humans, and their surroundings.

If you are involved or interested in sustainable urban development, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to contribute to the creation of healthier, more resilient urban habitats for all species.

Join us in reshaping the future of urban and peri-urban environments through sustainable and nature-based design principles.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define different perspectives on urban ecology and identify your own.
  • Evaluate a local urban ecosystem and plan for synergetic effects between ecology, climate adaptation, and other benefits.
  • Identify the differences in ecological values within cities.
  • Design for improvement of the ecological value of an urban area, on several scales.
  • Formulate a well-founded opinion about urban analysis, visions and designs.
  • After taking this course, you will be able to:

Syllabus

Module 1: The Urban EcosystemIn this module, the Urban Ecology Design approach will be introduced, and you’ll gain knowledge on the Urban Ecosystem. You’ll learn to analyze the Urban Ecosystem by studying the one you live in. What challenges does your living environment, region, or country face?
Module 2: The Urban HabitatIn this module, you’ll gain knowledge on urban habitats via lectures on urban ecology and biodiversity in general, their benefits to the environment and how to design improvements to them. You’ll zoom in from the Urban Ecosystem you studied in module 1 onto a local urban habitat and look at how you could improve it.
Module 3: Urban Ecology DesignIn this module, multiple design examples show how you could establish synergetic effects by taking Urban Ecology as the starting point in your (re-) design for an urban location that you encounter regularly. You’ll take the urban analysis and vision making from the previous modules as the basis for a design to improve the urban habitat, for us humans as well as non-humans.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores urban ecology and design, which is highly relevant in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning
Teaches nature-based urban design principles, which are increasingly important for sustainable development
Develops skills in designing for biodiversity and urban ecology, which are core skills for urban planners and designers
Taught by Nico Tillie and Rosa de Wolf, who are recognized for their work in urban ecology and design
Part of a larger program on sustainable urban development, which provides a comprehensive foundation for students
Requires students to have a basic understanding of ecology and urban planning, which may be a barrier for some learners

Save this course

Save Urban Ecology Design to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Urban Ecology Design. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Urban Ecology Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Landscape Architect
This course on Urban Ecology Design will teach the principles of increasing ecological functioning within cities. You will learn how to plan spaces for biodiversity and bring benefits through ecosystem services. This knowledge will help you to design landscapes that are both sustainable and beautiful.
Environmental Planner
As an Environmental Planner, you will be responsible for developing and implementing plans to protect the environment. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to make informed decisions about land use, transportation, and other environmental issues.
Water Resources Engineer
Water Resources Engineers design and manage water systems. They work to ensure that there is a safe and reliable supply of water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design water systems that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to protect water resources and ensure that there is a safe and reliable supply of water for future generations.
Urban Designer
Urban Designers plan and design cities and towns. They work to create sustainable and livable communities. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are both sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to create beautiful and functional cities that meet the needs of their residents.
City Planner
A City Planner is responsible for planning and managing the growth and development of cities and towns. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to make informed decisions about land use, transportation, and other environmental issues.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design infrastructure projects that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to create infrastructure that meets the needs of the community and minimizes environmental impact.
Natural Resource Manager
Natural Resource Managers manage natural resources, such as forests, water, and minerals. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to protect natural resources and ensure that they are available for future generations.
Architect
Architects design and build buildings. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design buildings that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to create beautiful and functional buildings that meet the needs of their occupants and minimize environmental impact.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations to become more sustainable. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to develop and implement sustainability strategies that reduce environmental impact and create a more sustainable future.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and work to protect it. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to understand the complex interactions between human activities and the environment, and to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Geographer
Geographers study the Earth's surface and its people. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to understand the relationship between humans and their environment, and to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Forester
Foresters manage forests. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to manage forests sustainably and to ensure that they provide benefits to both humans and wildlife.
Ecologist
Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to understand the complex web of life and to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Biologist
Biologists study living organisms. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to understand the diversity of life and to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and build systems to protect the environment. This course will teach you the principles of urban ecology and how to design cities that are sustainable and resilient. This knowledge will help you to develop and implement solutions to environmental problems.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Urban Ecology Design.
A foundational text in landscape architecture that takes an ecological approach to design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ecology and management of urban ecosystems, covering topics such as urban land use planning, urban air and water quality, and the conservation of urban biodiversity.
Offers insights into nature integration in urban planning from its leading proponent.
Provides a comprehensive overview of nature-based solutions for urban challenges, such as climate change adaptation, flood risk management, and air pollution reduction.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of urban biodiversity design, including case studies from around the world.
Classic text on ecological design, providing a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of sustainable design.
Comprehensive overview of landscape ecology, providing a foundation for understanding the ecological processes that shape landscapes and the implications for land-use planning.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Urban Ecology Design.
Urban Rewilding: Restore Your Local Ecosystem
Most relevant
Sustainable Urban Water Systems
Most relevant
Water Works: Activating Heritage for Sustainable...
Most relevant
Sustainability Science – A Key Concept for Future Design
Most relevant
Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Working with nature to adapt...
Most relevant
Engineering: Building with Nature
Most relevant
Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health
Climate Action in Biodiverse Landscapes
Global Environmental Management
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser