Reclaiming the Street for Livable Urban Spaces from Coursera

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.

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.

2 — Streets as Transition Experiments

How do experiments play out on the street? You will be pleased to discover that creating change in public space can be a bottom-up process driven by temporary initiatives. We examine how temporary experiments can then be solidified into policies and permanent street changes after a successful experiment concludes. Oakland, USA and Milan, Italy are two places where policy makers have announced ambitious plans to transform their streets after witnessing a high level of political support for their experimental initiatives.

3 — Living World vs. System World

What happens when citizens encounter a bureaucracy? It is no easy feat to instill a system level change in large systems, whether it is government or another large technocratic organization. But even the largest bureaucracies are staffed by individual people, just like you and me. Where front-line individuals of an organization meet their constituents, the results can be particularly interesting. With certain rules and procedures in place, street-level professional have to be creative in how they navigate the conservative system world in order to create change that matters in the dynamic living world. We go to France to understand how activist groups have deployed their tactics to create change in the bureaucracy.

4 — Redefining Traffic in Cities

What is the role of traffic in our cities? While mobility (virtual and physical) is essential to accessing opportunity, is it possible to achieve mobility without traffic? In this block, you will read an academic paper that visits five cities around the world to explore creative solutions to the problem of traffic. In doing so, we find that by moving people more efficiently, we are able to repurpose the reclaimed space for more valuable uses, even in the middle of a highway. As it turns out, changing the way we talk about traffic, especially moving away from utilitarian language, is a powerful way to change perceptions of traffic for yourself and others.

5 — Guerilla Style

What can individuals do to change the system? As it turns out, a connected group individuals united in a common goal is far more effective at creating change than any one person alone. You will read about how activists in London and Amsterdam leverage their internal and external relationships to mediate between themselves and the bureaucracy. We then go to New York for a reminder that traffic is not carved in stone. It is a clear sign of change when streets are eerily empty in a famous city known for its gridlock traffic.

6 — Wrapping up the Course

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Urban spaces for people

Learners say this engaging course is a great resource for urban planners and local advocates. It provides case studies and information needed to reclaim streets and create livable urban spaces. Students appreciate the real-world examples and practical strategies for improving neighborhoods and promoting urban cycling.

Excellent course materials

"Great course material and assignments, definitely worth the time and effort"

"Excellent blend of reading and other material made it enjoyable throughout."

"A very well organized program."

Practical strategies

"What is refreshing about this course is that it challenges students to get outside their comfort zones where they are."

"Being that person who stands apart from normal behaviour and challenges widely held norms helps others think for themselves, and start conversations with their groups."

"This course is a great overview and practical starter for being effective on the street."

Real-world examples

"Very high quality course with strong theoretical foundation and examples from real world. "

"Excellent course really grew my knowledge of the area and learnt lots of new insights and open my perspective to new ways of thinking."

"A great course that I really enjoyed. You will learn about the theory and practice of tactical urbanism, of local initiatives, with examples and analysis that enrich the discussion, as well as strategies to improve our neighborhoods."

Academic approach

"The resources and discussions in this course are centered around promoting urban cycling."

"I found that I was unfamiliar with some of the terms and approaches initially mentioned in this course."

"I think the content is very academic and theoretical, especially the journal articles and webinar recordings."

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

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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.

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Read the course syllabus.
Review the key concepts for the course.

Form a study group with other students in the course

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Studying with other students can help you learn the material and prepare for exams.

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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

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Attending a workshop can help you learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.

Browse courses on Urban Design

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Find a workshop that is relevant to your interests.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Two other activities

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Storyboard an experiment on street changes in your neighborhood

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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

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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

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Creating a portfolio can help you showcase your skills and experience to potential employers or clients.

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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:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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