Street Experiments for Sustainable and Resilient cities from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Streets as Placemaking and Movement (Raising Awareness)

This week, we will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst to open people's thinking about using streets for more social purposes and answer the question, "can functions of mobility and public space co-exist and simultaneously increase the liveability of cities?" We will visit a brief history of the evolution of streets, both in concept and using historical examples, and see how ideology influences people's willingness to reshape the street for different functions. Surprisingly, even automakers see the limitations of cars and are taking steps to hedge against different mobility futures by investing in street experiments and shared mobility.

Getting to Know Street Experiments

This week, we go around the world to see practical examples of street experiments in action. In doing so, we see how experiments can be categorized into 4 different typologies in ascending functional complexity: simple street re-markings, alternative uses of parking spaces, reconversion of sections of streets, and the opening of entire streets to uses other than motorized traffic. We then pose the question, "How can tactical urbanism help create healthier streets?" leading us to find that bottom-up initiatives can be powerful instigators of change.

Implementing Street Experiments

This week explores how street experiments are implemented, from start to finish, and we will learn about the challenges along the way. We find that street experiments are often the starting point for the transition of public space, and these experiments give people the chance to experience, to really feel the changes immersively, rather than just seeing plans on a board. We learn how to approach strategic problems by using tactical urbanism techniques, and how colorful and eyecatching spaces can do its own marketing. Finally, we make the connection between culture and street design, framing experiments in the context of "mobility culture" and asking us how real world laboratories can explore existing culture and explore new cultures.

Evaluating Street Experiments

This week, we ask "are we really challenging mobility systems with these relatively small scale experiments?" Despite all the colorful experimentation taking place around the world, not all experiments lead to permanent changes. We will explore how experiments can serve as short term actions through which alternative structure, cultures and practices are explored. We then look at the five characteristics of the city street experiments: Are they... radical, change-driven, feasible, strategic, and communicative? They are an initial step in the assessment framework since street experiments are so complex. Finally, we are challenged to involve citizens in the experimentation process, and you will learn that buy-in of the community is essential to the long-term success of making experiments permanent.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course explores the role of streets as public spaces, offering practical examples and a toolbox for implementation and evaluation

Taught by recognized instructors Benjamin Büttner and Ana Rivas, who have expertise in urban design and street experiments

Develops skills and knowledge in rethinking street design and space distribution, making it relevant to professionals in urban planning and transportation

Examines the potential of street experiments to enhance the livability of cities, making it highly relevant to those interested in urban sustainability and community development

Provides a multi-modal learning experience with videos, readings, discussions, and hands-on materials

Advises students to take other courses first as prerequisites, which may be a caveat 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 Street Experiments for Sustainable and Resilient cities with these activities:

Revise road design fundamentals

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Review basic principles of road design to ensure a strong foundation for understanding concepts in the course.

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Review textbooks and class notes from previous courses on road design.
Solve practice problems related to road geometry, capacity analysis, and intersection design.

Read 'Street Fight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution'

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Gain insights from a practical guide that showcases successful street transformation projects and provides strategies for creating more livable and sustainable streets.

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and examples.
Identify parallels between the book's content and the topics covered in the course.

Explore case studies of successful street experiments

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Analyze real-world examples of effective street experiments to gain practical insights and identify best practices.

Browse courses on Street Experiments

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Visit websites and online platforms showcasing street experiment case studies.
Review articles and reports documenting the implementation and outcomes of these experiments.
Identify common elements and strategies that contributed to their success.

Five other activities

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Engage in peer discussions on street experiments

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Share ideas, experiences, and challenges related to street experiments with fellow students to gain diverse perspectives and foster collaboration.

Browse courses on Street Experiments

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Form or join a study group or online forum focused on street experiments.
Initiate and participate in discussions on topics such as experiment design, implementation, and evaluation.
Provide constructive feedback and learn from the insights of others.

Explore online resources on street accessibility

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Enhance understanding of accessibility considerations in street design to ensure inclusive and equitable public spaces.

Browse courses on Universal Design

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Visit websites and platforms dedicated to street accessibility best practices.
Review guidelines and case studies on accessible street design elements, such as curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and tactile paving.
Identify design principles that promote universal access and inclusivity.

Attend a workshop on street traffic analysis

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Gain hands-on experience in conducting traffic analysis and understanding its role in street experiment design.

Browse courses on Traffic Analysis

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Research and identify relevant workshops or conferences on street traffic analysis.
Register and attend the workshop, actively participating in discussions and exercises.
Network with professionals in the field and learn about latest trends and best practices in traffic analysis.

Design a street experiment proposal

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Develop a comprehensive proposal outlining a hypothetical street experiment, including its goals, methodology, and evaluation plan.

Browse courses on Traffic Management

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Identify a specific street or intersection for the experiment.
Define the desired outcomes and objectives of the experiment.
Develop a detailed plan for implementing the experiment, including traffic diversion, signage, and safety measures.
Outline a strategy for evaluating the experiment's effectiveness, using both quantitative and qualitative data.

Contribute to open-source projects related to street mobility

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Gain practical experience in applying concepts learned in the course by contributing to real-world projects that advance street mobility.

Browse courses on Open-Source Software

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Identify open-source projects related to street mobility, such as traffic simulation software or data analysis tools.
Review the project's documentation and contribute code, documentation, or bug fixes.
Collaborate with other contributors and learn from their expertise.

Career center

Learners who complete Street Experiments for Sustainable and Resilient cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Planner

Environmental Planners develop and implement plans that protect the environment. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that reduce pollution, conserve resources, and promote sustainability. This course would be helpful for Environmental Planners because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Resilience Manager

Resilience Managers develop and implement resilience plans for organizations. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that help organizations prepare for and recover from disasters. This course would be helpful for Resilience Managers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resilience Manager

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability plans for organizations. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that reduce environmental impact and promote social equity. This course would be helpful for Sustainability Managers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners plan and develop transportation systems, such as roads, highways, and public transportation. They work with local governments, businesses, and community groups to create plans that meet the needs of the community. This course would be helpful for Transportation Planners because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make transportation systems more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Economic Development Director

Economic Development Directors lead economic development initiatives for organizations. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that promote economic growth. This course would be helpful for Economic Development Directors because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economic Development Director

Community Development Director

Community Development Directors lead community development initiatives for organizations. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that improve the quality of life for residents. This course would be helpful for Community Development Directors because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Director

Social Planner

Social Planners develop and implement plans that promote social equity. They work with businesses, governments, and community groups to create plans that improve the quality of life for residents. This course would be helpful for Social Planners because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan cities, towns, and other urban areas. They work with local governments, businesses, and community groups to create plans that meet the needs of the community. This course would be helpful for Urban Planners because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create plans that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

City Manager

City Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a city. They work with the mayor and city council to develop and implement policies that meet the needs of the community. This course would be helpful for City Managers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create policies that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Manager

Mayor

Mayors are the elected leaders of cities. They work with the city council to develop and implement policies that meet the needs of the community. This course would be helpful for Mayors because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to create policies that make cities more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mayor

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design and plan outdoor spaces. They work with clients to develop plans that meet their needs and desires. This course would be helpful for Landscape Architects because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to design outdoor spaces that are more sustainable and resilient.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water systems. They work with clients to develop plans that meet their needs and desires. This course would be helpful for Civil Engineers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to design infrastructure that is more sustainable and resilient.

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Architect

Architects design and build buildings and other structures. They work with clients to develop plans that meet their needs and desires. This course would be helpful for Architects because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to design buildings that are more sustainable and resilient.

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Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers design and implement transportation systems. They work with clients to develop plans that meet their needs and desires. This course would be helpful for Transportation Engineers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to design systems that are more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They work with clients to develop plans that meet their needs and desires. This course would be helpful for Environmental Engineers because it would give them the skills and knowledge they need to design solutions that are more sustainable and resilient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer