Urban Ecology Design from edX

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:

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

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 Urban Ecology Design with these activities:

Read the seminal paper by Walsh et al. (2015)

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Walsh's contribution helped form the foundation of urban ecology design and will be a cornerstone resource for your completeion of this course.

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Access the article through this link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964129515301318?via%3Dihub
Read the paper in its entirety.
Consider creating a bulleted list of key findings to aid in retention.
Prepare to discuss the paper's relevance in the discussion forum.

Watch the video tutorials

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The video tutorials will provide you with additional insights and explanations of the course material.

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Access the video tutorials through the course platform
Watch the videos at your own pace

Complete the interactive exercises

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The exercises provided in the course will help you practice your skills and improve your understanding of the material.

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Access the interactive exercises through the course platform
Complete the exercises as many times as you need to

Four other activities

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Participate in peer review sessions

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Giving and receiving feedback from your peers will refine your critical thinking and communication skills, and support a deeper understanding of urban ecology design principles.

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Meet with a group of classmates
Review each other's work
Provide feedback on how to improve the work

Create a blog post

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By selecting a specific aspect of urban ecology, you will demonstrate your understanding and solidify the principles of the course

Browse courses on Ecosystem Services

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Choose an aspect of urban ecology that you are particularly interested in
Research the topic thoroughly
Write a blog post that explains the topic in a clear and concise way
Publish your blog post on a platform of your choice
Share your blog post with your classmates and instructor

Work on a group design project

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Working on a group design project will allow you to apply the principles of urban ecology design to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on Urban Design

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Form a group with your classmates
Choose a design problem to work on
Develop a design solution
Present your design solution to the class

Mentor other students

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Mentoring other students will help you deepen your knowledge and understanding of urban ecology design.

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Contact your instructor or classmates to express interest in mentoring other students.
Set up regular meetings with your mentees.
Provide guidance and support to your mentees on the course material.
Answer questions and help your mentees troubleshoot problems.

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Planner

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resource Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer