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George Liu, Marco te Brömmelstroet, and Anna Nikolaeva

In Reclaiming the Street, you will learn about the mechanisms of change and will be challenged to apply this knowledge to start creating vibrant streetscapes in your neighbourhood. This six week course will guide you through seminal academic work on the topics of transition management and street experiments while providing practical insights from practitioners from around the world. A final peer-reviewed project integrates key takeaways from each module of this course to help you write an actionable plan for change.

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In Reclaiming the Street, you will learn about the mechanisms of change and will be challenged to apply this knowledge to start creating vibrant streetscapes in your neighbourhood. This six week course will guide you through seminal academic work on the topics of transition management and street experiments while providing practical insights from practitioners from around the world. A final peer-reviewed project integrates key takeaways from each module of this course to help you write an actionable plan for change.

This online course is supported by the EIT Urban Mobility’s Competence Hub. EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) that has been working since January 2019 to encourage positive changes in the way people move around cities in order to make them more sustainable and liveable places.

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What's inside

Syllabus

1 — Understanding Transitions in Mobility
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen changes to the streetscape happening in cities all around the world. While the fast pace of these changes is promising for building a world less dependent on automobiles, one unanswered question remains: Are these renewed streets here to stay? In this module, we introduce you to the "transitions framework" to understand how change happens in the mobility system at different scales in society, As we progress through this course, your understanding of this framework will help you identify where your efforts can be best applied in creating change.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds on the work of Anna Nikolaeva and Marco te Brömmelstroet, who have written extensively about civic engagement and activism in streets
Taught by George Liu, whose organization Junxiong Hu has developed a detailed community-led approach to transportation change
Course is supported by the EIT Urban Mobility Competence Hub and is based on the Urban Mobility’s research
Examines how to influence change in different social systems
Explores what involvement from citizens can change the system
Teaches the concepts of transitions management

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Reviews summary

Urban mobility transitions and street reclamation

According to students, this course offers a solid theoretical foundation for understanding urban mobility transitions and creating livable urban spaces. Learners highlight its engaging lectures, the transitions framework, and global case studies. The course blends academic theory with real-world examples, focusing on driving change through bottom-up and top-down approaches. The peer-reviewed project is praised for enabling actionable plans. While some earlier reviews cited it as too academic or somewhat dated, recent feedback emphasizes its success in empowering students to make tangible community impact.
Features inspiring real-world cases from around the globe.
"I loved the global case studies; they really showed how these concepts apply worldwide."
"The activist examples from London and Amsterdam were particularly inspiring."
"The way it reframed 'traffic' as a cultural construct was eye-opening."
Equips learners with tools to create tangible urban change.
"The peer-reviewed project was invaluable for creating an actionable plan."
"I felt ready to apply these ideas to my own community after completing it."
"It's not just theory; it gives you a roadmap for creating tangible impact."
"The final project helped synthesize everything and put it into practice."
Provides robust frameworks for understanding urban change.
"The transitions framework was a game-changer for understanding urban change."
"It provides a solid theoretical foundation, particularly the 'Living World vs. System World' module."
"I found this course incredibly relevant. It covers complex ideas like transition management in an accessible way."
"The course's emphasis on bottom-up change and empowering individuals was so refreshing."
Earlier reviews noted dated examples and video quality.
"The course has good intentions, but some of the material felt a bit dated, especially the older case studies."
"The video quality for some lectures was also subpar."
"I was hoping for more contemporary examples of street transformations."
Some learners desired more immediate 'how-to' guidance.
"I wished for more practical tools for immediate implementation, but the strategic thinking was excellent."
"Felt a bit too academic at times. I was hoping for more 'how-to' guidance on guerilla tactics."
"Very abstract and theoretical. I wanted practical steps to reclaim my street, not academic papers."
"Too much reading, not enough action for me."

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 Reclaiming the Street for Livable Urban Spaces with these activities:
Review the course syllabus and key concepts
Before you start the course, take some time to review the syllabus and key concepts. This will help you get a head start on the material.
Show steps
  • Read the course syllabus.
  • Review the key concepts for the course.
Form a study group with other students in the course
Studying with other students can help you learn the material and prepare for exams.
Show steps
  • Find other students in the course who are interested in forming a study group.
  • Set up a regular meeting time and place.
  • Discuss the course material and work on assignments together.
Attend a workshop on urban design or transportation planning
Attending a workshop can help you learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.
Browse courses on Urban Design
Show steps
  • Find a workshop that is relevant to your interests.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Storyboard an experiment on street changes in your neighborhood
One of the key components of this course is understanding transition experiments. By storyboarding an experiment, you can improve your understanding of how experiments play out on the street.
Browse courses on Street Experiments
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or opportunity in your neighborhood that could be addressed by a street change.
  • Design a temporary experiment that could test a potential solution to the problem or opportunity.
  • Develop a plan for how you would evaluate the success of the experiment.
  • Identify potential partners and stakeholders who could help you implement the experiment.
Create a portfolio of your work on street change
Creating a portfolio can help you showcase your skills and experience to potential employers or clients.
Show steps
  • Gather your work on street change.
  • Create a website or online portfolio.
  • Upload your work to your portfolio.

Career center

Learners who complete Reclaiming the Street for Livable Urban Spaces will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Urban Planner
Urban Planners are responsible for planning and implementing strategies to improve the built environment. This course can help Urban Planners understand how to create more livable and sustainable urban spaces. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Urban Planners develop and implement plans that make cities more walkable, bikeable, and accessible for all.
Transportation Engineer
Transportation Engineers design, plan, and operate transportation systems. This course can help Transportation Engineers understand how to create more sustainable and efficient transportation systems. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Transportation Engineers design and implement transportation systems that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and construct infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course can help Civil Engineers understand how to create more sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Civil Engineers design and construct infrastructure projects that are more resistant to climate change and natural disasters.
Architect
Architects design and construct buildings. This course can help Architects understand how to create more sustainable and livable buildings. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Architects design and construct buildings that are more energy-efficient and accessible for all.
Landscape Architect
Landscape Architects design and construct outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and plazas. This course can help Landscape Architects understand how to create more sustainable and livable outdoor spaces. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Landscape Architects design and construct outdoor spaces that are more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Public Health Planner
Public Health Planners develop and implement plans to improve public health. This course can help Public Health Planners understand how to create more healthy and equitable communities. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Public Health Planners develop and implement plans that make communities more walkable, bikeable, and accessible for all.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and develop solutions to environmental problems. This course can help Environmental Scientists understand how to create more sustainable and resilient communities. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Environmental Scientists develop and implement solutions to environmental problems that improve the quality of life for all.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability performance. This course can help Sustainability Consultants understand how to create more sustainable and livable communities. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Sustainability Consultants develop and implement sustainability strategies that make communities more sustainable and resilient.
Urban Designer
Urban Designers plan and design urban areas. This course can help Urban Designers understand how to create more sustainable and livable urban areas. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Urban Designers design and plan urban areas that are more accessible, walkable, and bikeable for all.
Traffic Engineer
Traffic Engineers design and implement solutions to traffic problems. This course can help Traffic Engineers understand how to create more sustainable and efficient transportation systems. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Traffic Engineers design and implement solutions to traffic problems that improve the quality of life for all.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. This course can help Policy Analysts understand how to create more effective and equitable public policies. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies that make communities more sustainable and livable.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and implement projects. This course can help Project Managers understand how to create more successful and sustainable projects. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Project Managers plan and implement projects that make communities more sustainable and livable.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. This course can help Nonprofit Managers understand how to create more effective and sustainable nonprofit organizations. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Nonprofit Managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations that make communities more sustainable and livable.
Community Organizer
Community Organizers mobilize communities to create change. This course can help Community Organizers understand how to create more effective and sustainable community change. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Community Organizers mobilize communities to create change that makes communities more sustainable and livable.
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneurs develop and implement innovative solutions to social problems. This course can help Social Entrepreneurs understand how to create more effective and sustainable social enterprises. The course provides insights into the mechanisms of change and how to start creating vibrant streetscapes. This knowledge can help Social Entrepreneurs develop and implement innovative solutions to social problems that make communities more sustainable and livable.

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Reclaiming the Street for Livable Urban Spaces.
Is an insightful and highly influential piece of urban planning literature that critiques conventional approaches to city planning. It discusses concepts such as neighborhood diversity, mixed-use development, and the importance of public space and has become essential reading for anyone interested in urbanism.
This is an excellent book for understanding successful urban design in different cities as case studies. It provides plenty of examples to illustrate the importance of people-centered design and is written in a journalistic style.
Is an excellent reference for street design principles and best practices. It provides practical guidance on creating safer, more livable, and sustainable streets.
Provides an in-depth look at sustainable urban design strategies and case studies of successful projects. It good addition to the course for understanding environmental aspects of urban planning.
Provides a good overview of urban ecology and its applications in urban planning. It explores the relationship between natural and human systems in urban environments.
Practical guide to tactical urbanism, a low-cost, short-term approach to creating change in the public realm. It provides step-by-step instructions for implementing tactical urbanism projects, as well as case studies of successful projects from around the world.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban development, examining the role of transportation, energy, water, and waste management in creating more sustainable cities.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of urban studies, examining the history, theory, and methods of urban research. It provides a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in understanding the complex dynamics of urban life.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the planning, design, and management of urban mobility systems, examining the role of transportation, land use, and infrastructure in shaping the movement of people and goods in cities.

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