Sustainable Transformation of Cities and Regions from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

Developing a foundational understanding of sustainable urban and regional planning principles.
Grasping how diverse fields contribute to resilient, environmentally friendly urban spaces and regions.

Engaging in discussions on sustainability challenges and potential solutions.

Developing a foundational understanding of sustainable urban and regional planning principles.
Grasping how diverse fields contribute to resilient, environmentally friendly urban spaces and regions.
Engaging in discussions on sustainability challenges and potential solutions.

Syllabus

M1: Introduction

13 January 2025

Introduction to the course, pathways to sustainable and resilient urban development, preparing for urban transformation towards 2050.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores urban planning and design, mobility, energy, governance, and community engagement, which are all essential elements for professionals in the field

Offers foundational theories and practical examples to understand the transdisciplinary principles behind creating environmentally friendly, resilient, and liveable cities and regions

Led by experts from five prestigious IDEA League universities, which may offer learners unique insights into the field of urban planning

Examines spatial, environmental, social, and economic factors, which are crucial considerations in urban and regional development projects

Requires participants in the verified track to complete specific assignments to earn a certificate, which may require additional time and effort

Examines digitalization and big data in urban design, which may be relevant to professionals seeking to integrate technology into their practice

Reviews summary

Foundations in sustainable urban transformation

According to learners who might take this course, it is expected to offer a positive and broad overview of sustainable urban and regional development. The syllabus suggests a comprehensive exploration covering key areas like mobility, energy, circularity, and governance. The involvement of experts from five prestigious IDEA League universities is anticipated to provide high-quality instruction and diverse perspectives. While providing a strong foundational understanding of complex challenges, the breadth of topics covered in a single course might mean that certain areas are explored at a neutral level of depth, potentially requiring further specialized study. The course is likely well-suited for those seeking an initial understanding of transdisciplinary principles for urban change.

Depth may vary, needing supplemental learning.

"While broad, I anticipate that the coverage of each topic might be somewhat introductory, requiring deeper dives elsewhere."

"To truly master any single module topic like energy transformation, I expect to need additional resources after this course."

"I understand this course is foundational, so I'm prepared to seek more specialized information on specific interests."

Provides a strong base for understanding principles.

"I expect this course to give me the basic knowledge needed to understand sustainable urban development."

"My goal is to gain a foundational understanding of these complex principles, which the course objectives promise."

"It seems designed to build a strong base before delving into more specialized areas."

Taught by faculty from renowned universities.

"Having instructors from five different leading universities suggests a high level of expertise and varied perspectives."

"I trust that the content quality will be high given the institutions involved."

"Knowing the lecturers are experts in their respective fields is a strong motivator for taking this course."

Explores multiple dimensions of urban sustainability.

"I appreciate that the course covers a wide range of topics like energy, mobility, and governance – it gives a holistic view."

"The syllabus lays out modules on everything from circularity to digitalization, which feels comprehensive for an introduction."

"I was looking for a course that touched upon the various facets of sustainable urbanism, and this seems to deliver on that breadth."

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 Sustainable Transformation of Cities and Regions with these activities:

Review Basic Urban Planning Concepts

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Reinforce foundational knowledge of urban planning principles to better understand the course's advanced concepts.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Review introductory materials on urban planning from online sources or textbooks.
Summarize key concepts like zoning, land use, and transportation planning.
Identify any gaps in your understanding and seek clarification.

Review 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities'

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Gain a deeper understanding of urban design principles and their impact on city life.

View Vital Little Plans: The Short Works of Jane... on Amazon

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Read selected chapters focusing on mixed-use development and community engagement.
Reflect on how Jacobs' ideas relate to the course's themes of sustainability and resilience.
Discuss the book's relevance in online forums or study groups.

Create a Presentation on Sustainable Mobility

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Solidify your understanding of sustainable mobility strategies by creating a presentation that explores different approaches.

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Research various sustainable mobility solutions, such as public transportation, cycling infrastructure, and electric vehicles.
Develop a presentation outlining the benefits and challenges of each approach.
Present your findings to classmates or colleagues for feedback.

Four other activities

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Design a Circular Economy Plan for a Neighborhood

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Apply circular economy principles to a real-world scenario by designing a plan for a specific neighborhood.

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Select a neighborhood and research its current waste management practices.
Develop a plan to implement circular economy principles, such as waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Present your plan to local stakeholders for feedback and potential implementation.

Review 'Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the Quest for a New Utopia'

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Explore the role of technology and data in shaping sustainable urban development.

View Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the... on Amazon

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Read selected chapters focusing on the use of big data and digital twins in urban planning.
Analyze the ethical and social implications of smart city technologies.
Discuss the book's insights in relation to the course's module on digitalization.

Volunteer with a Local Sustainability Organization

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Gain practical experience in sustainable urban development by volunteering with a local organization.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Identify local organizations working on sustainability initiatives.
Volunteer your time to support their projects, such as community gardens or recycling programs.
Reflect on your experiences and how they relate to the course's themes.

Create a Data Visualization of Energy Consumption

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Apply your knowledge of energy transformation and power forecasting by creating a data visualization.

Browse courses on Energy

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Gather data on energy consumption in a specific region or city.
Create a visualization that effectively communicates trends and patterns in energy use.
Share your visualization with classmates or colleagues for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Transformation of Cities and Regions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops plans for land use and the built environment, considering social, economic, and environmental factors. This course directly aligns with the core principles of urban planning, emphasizing sustainable and resilient design, which is crucial for any aspiring Urban Planner. The course's exploration of topics like mobility, energy, and circularity provides a foundation for creating comprehensive urban development strategies. The course's attention to governance and community engagement is particularly helpful, as successful urban planning requires understanding the social and political aspects of these programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Regional Planner

A Regional Planner focuses on the development of larger areas, coordinating growth across multiple jurisdictions while considering regional factors. This course provides a foundational understanding of sustainability principles as they apply to cities and regions, which is useful for any aspiring Regional Planner. The course's exploration of topics like urban planning, governance, and mobility are highly relevant to the challenges a Regional Planner would encounter. The course's emphasis on collaboration across diverse disciplines, preparing students to tackle complex regional issues, helps to prepare aspiring regional planners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Regional Planner

Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant advises organizations on how to implement sustainable practices and improve environmental performance. This course provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand complex sustainability issues in urban and regional contexts, which is very valuable for a Sustainability Consultant. The course's coverage of topics such as circularity, energy transformation, and mobility strategies directly relates to the kind of expertise required in sustainability consulting. Moreover, the emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches aligns with the consulting field, which often requires collaborating with diverse teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Transportation Planner

A Transportation Planner develops strategies to improve the movement of people and goods, working to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This course is valuable for a Transportation Planner as it dedicates a full module to sustainable mobility strategies and the fundamentals of travel mode characteristics. The course's focus on urban planning, along with energy and innovation, will help in the development of comprehensive transportation plans that integrate with all aspects of sustainable urban living. Moreover, understanding how transitions happen, as discussed in the course, is valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Environmental Planner

An Environmental Planner integrates environmental considerations into land use planning and development. This course provides a strong background in the principles of sustainable urban and regional planning, which is essential for any Environmental Planner. The course's exploration of mobility, energy, and circularity directly applies to assessing and mitigating the environmental impacts of urban development. The course promotes collaboration and understanding of different fields, which also assists in the role of an Environmental Planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Community Development Specialist

A Community Development Specialist works directly with communities to improve their social, economic, and physical well-being. This course introduces the importance of community engagement and the role of governance, which are both critical to community development initiatives. The course's interdisciplinary approach and focus on sustainability provide a context for addressing complex community challenges related to sustainability, mobility, and social equity. A Community Development Specialist would find many of the course's concepts extremely useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Specialist

Urban Designer

An Urban Designer shapes the physical form of cities, focusing on aesthetics and functionality of the built environment. This course introduces many of the fundamental principles of sustainable urban design, including the need for resilient and environmentally friendly spaces. The course's topics such as mobility, energy, and circularity inform the design of healthier and more sustainable urban environments. The course may be useful for aspiring Urban Designers, particularly the sections focusing on the practical elements of environmentally sound and sustainable urban planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager develops and implements sustainability programs within organizations, working to align operations with environmental and social responsibility goals. Course concepts, such as circularity, governance, and technological innovation, directly address the core challenges faced by a Sustainability Manager. This course explores a range of topics that will assist in the implementation of practical sustainability programs, which will promote the goals of a Sustainability Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Public Policy Analyst

A Public Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and evaluates public policies and programs, often with a focus on environmental or urban development issues. This course explores the fundamental principles of sustainable urban planning and governance, which provides a strong foundation for analyzing public policy in these areas. The course's examination of urban challenges and potential solutions would inform policy recommendations, which is of great use for a Public Policy Analyst. This course helps build an appreciation of how policies can impact regional sustainability.

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Green Building Consultant

A Green Building Consultant advises on sustainable building designs, materials, and practices to increase energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and promote occupant well-being. This course discusses circular buildings, neighborhoods, and cities, and such concepts directly relate to the key skills required in the Green Building Consultant role. This course will help aspiring Green Building Consultants by providing useful information on strategies for creating sustainable built environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Green Building Consultant

Energy Analyst

An Energy Analyst studies energy usage patterns with the goal of developing strategies for conservation and efficiency. This course is valuable for an Energy Analyst, as it dedicates an entire module to energy transformation, the evolving grid, automation, and power forecasting, among other important concepts. The course's broader sustainability context informs the development of effective, environmentally friendly energy policies and solutions. The course may help provide a foundational understanding that an Energy Analyst would need.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, interprets, and manipulates data to provide insights that inform decision-making, often using data visualization tools. The urban planning course introduces the concept of big data in urban design and digital twins as planning tools, which directly relates to the work carried out by a Data Analyst. A Data Analyst may find it useful to learn how these tools can support sustainable urban practices and how data insights can be used for informed urban policy and planning.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, coordinates, and executes projects within a variety of industries, including those focused on urban or environmental initiatives. This course provides a broad understanding of sustainability and urban design principles, which are essential in managing projects aligned with these goals. The course’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration is valuable, as it helps prepare project managers to work with diverse teams. Aspiring Project Managers will find that this course helps them manage complex projects.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts research and experiments, often contributing to the field of environmental science or urban sustainability. This course covers many concepts related to sustainable urban development. The course provides a foundational understanding of the current state of urban sustainability, which would help Research Scientists to design effective studies. In learning about current topics in this field, a Research Scientist will gain a valuable perspective.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant assesses environmental impact, develops mitigation strategies, and helps organizations comply with environmental regulations. This course may be useful for an aspiring Environmental Consultant, as it introduces urban sustainability principles, including mobility and energy usage. The course's coverage of circularity, as well as transition modes and technological innovation, all contribute to a helpful background for assessing environmental impact. The course may help in the development of sustainable solutions, which would be useful for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Sustainable Transformation of Cities and Regions.

Vital Little Plans

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Provides a foundational understanding of urban planning principles and critiques conventional approaches. It offers valuable insights into the importance of mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly environments, and community engagement. Reading this book before or during the course will enhance your understanding of the social and economic factors that influence sustainable urban development. It is considered a seminal work in urban studies and is frequently referenced in academic and professional discussions.

Vital Little Plans: The Short Works of Jane Jacobs

Hardcover

Vital Little Plans: The Short Works of Jane Jacobs

Kindle Edition

Smart Cities

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Explores the role of technology and data in shaping the future of cities. It provides a critical perspective on the potential benefits and risks of smart city initiatives. Reading this book will help you understand the complexities of digitalization in urban design and its impact on sustainability and governance. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the technological aspects discussed in Module 7.

Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the...

Paperback

Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the...

Kindle Edition

Sustainable Transformation of Cities and Regions

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundations in sustainable urban transformation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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