Geodesign: Change Your World from Coursera

Ignite your career with Geodesign! The magnitude of challenges before us exceeds the reach of conventional approaches to planning and design. The pandemic has spawned urgent needs for new design approaches and solutions. Also at the doorstep is climate change: altering community design approaches; addressing infrastructure types and locations; as well as the need to protect carbon-sequestering environs. Geodesign provides a revolutionary way forward. It leverages information systems to foster collaborations that result in geographically specific, adaptive, and resilient strategies to wicked problems across scales of the natural and built environment. Geodesign builds confidence through dynamic real-time feedback, which empowers engaged collaborations for meaningful plans. With Geodesign, you can change your world – for the better!

This course includes well-illustrated lectures by the instructor, as well as guest lectures each week to ensure you are hearing a variety of viewpoints. Each week you will also be able to examine what Geodesign is through interactive mapping that showcases real-word Case Study examples of Geodesign from around the globe. As you move along in the course, you will discover the interrelationships of both the physical and human aspects that contribute to how Geodesign strategies are composed. The course concludes with you outlining your own Geodesign Challenge, and receiving feedback about that from your peers

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Shared Languages

This week we’ll begin your geodesign journey by helping you understand that the roots of geodesign are comprised of languages we all share. By languages I mean commonalities everyone can relate to; for example: our awareness of the spaces around us, our connection to place (location), and the way we deal with problem solving nearly everyday.

Week 2: The Three D's of Geodesign

In this second week we begin piecing together some of the key components that are central to the geodesign process. These happen to all start with "D": Design, Decision, and Data. By the end of this lesson I hope you will recognize how these three key components are interrelated.

Week 3: The Three C's of Geodesign

In this third week you will begin to recognize the complexities inherent in the geodesign process.We will also get into two topics that without which, geodesign is likely to fail: computation and collaboration. As it happens these all begin with “C,” hence this week is the Three C's of Geodesign. By the end of this lesson I hope you will recognize how these three key topics are put into action to accomplish geodesign.

Week 4: The Influence of Context

In this fourth week you will gain an understanding about the interrelationships of the physical and human aspects that contribute to how geodesign strategies are composed. Those physical and human aspects comprise the context for a geodesign challenge, so this lesson is titled "The Influence of Context." By the end of this lesson I hope you will recognize that through understanding the cultural and physical context of a place your geodesign team will be better equipped to propose sustainable solutions.

Week 5: Process and Framework

We have been building up to this week, and now we are here-- putting all the pieces together in the geodesign process! In this last week (so sad to say that!) you will gain awareness about the three-stage geodesign process. The lecture includes a overview about the process through a discussion centered on one of the Case Study examples. We also have two guest lectures that share the geodesign process as applied to their work. By the end of this week I hope you will be able to distinguish between the various components of the geodesign process and how each one's role contributes to and is valuable to the whole process.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops new design approaches to address climate change and community design

Provides dynamic feedback to support collaborative planning and decision-making

Taught by Prof. Kelleann Foster, a leader in the field of Geodesign

Offers interactive mapping exercises to showcase real-world Geodesign case studies

Suitable for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in design, environmental planning, and urban development

Reviews summary

Geodesign: practical framework

Learners say that Geodesign: Change Your World is a great course for those who want to learn about using geodesign to change the world. The course is well organized, provides a great overview of geodesign, and includes excellent lectures. While the course does have some broken links that do not work properly, learners found that it was easy to find the missing information on their own. Overall, learners say that they found the course enjoyable and recommend it to others.

Autonomous and easy to follow.

"Really enjoyed how autonomous this course was!"

"Super easy to follow and with short but entertaining lectures."

Great overview of geodesign.

"A good introduction to geodesign, covering the most important concepts."

"The course is very well organized and provides a great overview of geodesign."

Excellent lectures.

"Excellent course, very good lectures and incredible map display!"

Some links are broken.

"The only "down" is that some links are broken and do not work properly."

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 Geodesign: Change Your World with these activities:

Explore Geodesign Case Studies Online

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Examine real-world examples of geodesign projects to gain practical insights and broaden your understanding.

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Visit websites like Geodesign Hub or Esri ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Explore case studies that align with your interests or specific course topics.
Analyze the design process, outcomes, and lessons learned from these projects.

Review Design and Spatial Planning Concepts

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Review the basics of design and spatial planning to enhance your understanding of the course materials.

Browse courses on Design

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Read textbooks or articles on design principles and spatial planning concepts.
Attend a workshop or seminar on urban planning or design.
Engage in discussions with professionals in the field of design or planning.

Develop a Geodesign Concept Map

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Create a visual representation of the relationships between different aspects of geodesign to strengthen your grasp of the concepts.

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Identify the key concepts and principles of geodesign.
Use a mind mapping tool or whiteboard to create a visual representation of these concepts.
Connect the concepts with lines and labels to show their relationships.
Review and refine your concept map to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Five other activities

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Engage in Peer Discussions on Geodesign Challenges

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Collaborate with fellow students to discuss and analyze geodesign challenges, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Form study groups with peers.
Select a specific geodesign challenge or topic for discussion.
Share perspectives, insights, and potential solutions.
Provide constructive feedback and engage in respectful debates.

Participate in Geodesign Simulation Exercises

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Engage in hands-on simulations to apply geodesign principles and enhance your decision-making skills.

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Join online platforms like CityScope or GeoPlanner for ArcGIS.
Participate in simulation exercises that cover different aspects of geodesign.
Collaborate with peers and test out different design scenarios.
Analyze the outcomes and reflect on your decision-making process.

Mentor Junior Students in Geodesign

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Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring junior students in geodesign, fostering their understanding and supporting their growth.

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Reach out to your university or local organizations to identify opportunities.
Pair up with a junior student and provide guidance and support.
Review their work, provide feedback, and encourage their progress.
Share your insights on geodesign principles and best practices.

Develop a Geodesign Proposal

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Create a comprehensive geodesign proposal to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts and apply them to a real-world scenario.

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Identify a specific geodesign challenge or opportunity.
Research the context, stakeholders, and relevant data.
Develop a design concept and supporting rationale.
Create visual representations and supporting documentation.
Present your proposal to peers or a wider audience for feedback.

Contribute to Geodesign Open-Source Projects

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Engage with the geodesign community by contributing to open-source projects, expanding your knowledge and making a practical impact.

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Identify open-source geodesign projects on platforms like GitHub.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Collaborate with project maintainers and propose your contributions.
Develop code, documentation, or other resources to enhance the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Geodesign: Change Your World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Planner

This course can be a helpful introduction to Environmental Planning, which focuses on the integration of environmental and social considerations into planning.

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Data Scientist

This course may be useful for Data Scientists, who use data to solve problems and make predictions.

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Environmental Engineer

This course may be useful for Environmental Engineers, who design and implement solutions to environmental problems.

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Civil Engineer

This course may be useful for Civil Engineers, who design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.

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Geographer

This course may be useful for Geographers, who study the physical and human aspects of the Earth's surface.

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Project Manager

This course may be useful for Project Managers, who plan and execute projects, such as construction projects or software development projects.

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Urban Planner

This course can be a helpful introduction to Urban Planning, the process of developing plans and regulations for the use of land in urban areas.

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Transportation Planner

This course can be a helpful introduction to Transportation Planning, which focuses on the planning and design of transportation systems.

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Sustainability Consultant

This course may be useful for Sustainability Consultants, who work with organizations to develop and implement sustainability strategies.

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Systems Engineer

This course may be useful for Systems Engineers, who design and manage complex systems, such as transportation systems or power plants.

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GIS Analyst

This course may be useful for GIS Analysts, who use geographic information systems to analyze data and create maps.

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Climate Change Analyst

This course may be useful for Climate Change Analysts, who study the causes and effects of climate change.

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Natural Resource Manager

This course may be useful for Natural Resource Managers, who manage the use and conservation of natural resources.

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Architect

This course may be useful for Architects, who plan and design buildings, and also collaborate with engineers and other professionals to ensure that buildings are safe and functional.

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Landscape Architect

This course may be useful for Landscape Architects, who design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses.

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