Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Green Construction from Coursera

This course will include the evaluation of best practices in parking strategies for sustainable cities. Some of the examples include downtown parking policy, understanding the high cost of free parking, the development of parking sheds, managing neighborhood parking, hiding parking lots and other parking strategies and practices. There will also be a case study of the Victoria Canada parking management approach that investigates problems with current work on parking planning and discusses the cost of parking facilities and potential savings from improved management. There will also be an introduction to the use of form-based codes for application to sustainable cities. A variety of building forms such as mid-rise and high-rise buildings, apartment houses, live/work buildings, single-family homes, and row houses will be assessed. A particular emphasis will be on vacant property strategies for equitable and healthy communities. Vacant property strategies for reclamation will be evaluated with an analysis of the revitalization cycle. Green building construction principles will be evaluated in consideration for natural light and ventilation, solar orientation, use of sustainable building materials, energy efficient design and on-site energy generation as well as other considerations. Building architectural design will leverage climate, construction materials, and the culture and history of the area. Architecture choices should have a consistent appearance within the community and provide residential privacy. Other considerations include protection and preservation of historic buildings, use of universal design concepts, careful placement of civic buildings and the appropriate use of subsidized housing.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Survey and evaluate a variety of parking policies that support sustainable cities and environmental quality.

2. Compare different parking options such as parking sheds, neighborhood parking, parking lot access, permeable parking spaces, and a variety of ways to hide parking lots.

3. Describe the approach that the state of Minnesota used in developing a greenhouse gas reduction plan for their transportation sector.

4. Examine issues of implementing climate – friendly transportation pricing and the concept of “fix it first” transportation policy.

5. Evaluate the concept of form-based codes and their benefits for creating sustainable cities.

6. Assess smart green construction practices such as use of sustainable building materials, on site energy generation, proper solar orientation, and the use of green building standards.

Target Audience

• Government Officials involved planning, designing, monitoring, enforcement, and assessment of sustainable project developments at the local, state, and federal level.

• Private sector companies in the transportation and municipal design and construction business

• Architects interested in advancing sustainable concepts for cities and communities

• Foundations, associations, and other NGOs that support smart growth strategies

• Academic faculty and students studying and researching community sustainability and resilience

• Private citizens interested in improving their communities and living conditions

What's inside

Syllabus

Parking Management and Minnesota Transportation GHG Reduction Plan

This module will present and evaluate the following topics: downtown parking policy, the high cost of free parking, the use of parking sheds, neighborhood parking, hiding parking lots, parking lot environmental quality, parking conversions, parking lot access, and rear access parking. The module will also introduce a parking rating system and an overview of the Victoria Canada parking management best practices.

Sustainable Cities Building Types, Vacant Property Strategies for Equitable and Healthy Communities, and the Revitalization Cycle

Sustainable smart growth codes describe buildings, not in terms of their use for specific measurements, but in terms of their form. Using this framework, the resulting building types that will be described in this module. This module will also address vacant property strategies for equitable and healthy communities as well as the revitalization cycle.

Green Construction and Architectural Design

Green Construction and Green buildings are an important part of the sustainable city. This module will assess 12 different aspects of green buildings and green construction to meet smart growth objectives. The importance of architecture will also be accessed. The architectural design of the building should be reflective of the climate and culture of the neighborhood. Most appropriate and ecological buildings often have the character of the local building traditions. The consistency of appearance is also valuable in fortifying the character of the neighborhood and establishing pride in the community.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for government officials who plan, design, monitor, enforce, and assess sustainable project developments

Beneficial for private sector companies in the transportation and municipal design and construction business

Architects interested in advancing sustainable concepts for cities and communities will find this course relevant

Foundations, associations, and other NGOs that support smart growth strategies will benefit from this course

Academic faculty and students studying and researching community sustainability and resilience will find this course valuable

Private citizens interested in improving their communities and living conditions will gain insights from this course

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 Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Green Construction with these activities:

Review Public and Private Property Rights for Planners

Show steps

Reviewing this text is likely to improve your foundational understanding of local government law, which is essential for your success in this course.

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read each chapter and make notes.
Summarize each chapter.

Follow a Tutorial on Form-Based Codes

Show steps

This tutorial will give you a better understanding of the basics of form-based codes.

Show steps

Find a tutorial.
Follow the tutorial.

Volunteer with a Local Parking Enforcement Agency

Show steps

Volunteering with a local parking enforcement agency will give you firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities of parking management.

Show steps

Find a local parking enforcement agency.
Contact the agency.
Volunteer your time.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Map Out a Neighborhood Parking Study

Show steps

This project will allow you to apply the concepts of parking management to a real-world example.

Show steps

Choose a neighborhood.
Identify the major stakeholders.
Develop a data collection plan.
Collect data.
Analyze data.
Develop recommendations.

Solve Parking Management Case Studies

Show steps

These exercises will help you develop your problem-solving skills in the context of parking management.

Show steps

Find a case study.
Analyze the case study.
Develop a solution.

Participate in a Workshop on Parking Lot Design

Show steps

This workshop will provide you with hands-on experience in parking lot design.

Show steps

Find a workshop.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Write a Blog Post about Parking Policy Best Practices

Show steps

This assignment will improve your ability to communicate about the importance of sustainable parking strategies.

Browse courses on Sustainable Cities

Show steps

Choose a specific parking policy best practice.
Research the topic.
Write a blog post that explains the best practice and its benefits.

Attend a Conference on Sustainable Transportation

Show steps

Attending this conference will allow you to connect with other professionals in the field and learn about the latest trends in sustainable transportation.

Browse courses on Sustainable Transportation

Show steps

Find a conference.
Register for the conference.
Attend the conference.

Prepare a Presentation on a Smart Green Construction Practice

Show steps

This assignment will demonstrate your comprehension of different green construction practices and help you develop your presentation skills.

Browse courses on Green Building

Show steps

Choose a specific green construction practice.
Research the topic.
Develop a presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Transportation, Sustainable Buildings, Green Construction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Green Building Architect

Green building architects specialize in designing and constructing sustainable buildings that minimize environmental impact and promote occupant health. This course offers a deep dive into green building principles, including natural light and ventilation, solar orientation, and sustainable building materials. By understanding these concepts, you can create energy-efficient, comfortable, and environmentally responsible buildings that meet the needs of future generations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Green Building Architect

Sustainable Building Consultant

As a sustainable building consultant, you guide clients in designing and constructing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings. This course delves into green construction practices, solar orientation, sustainable building materials, and energy generation. By understanding these principles, you can effectively advise clients on implementing green building strategies, reducing their environmental impact and improving the well-being of building occupants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Building Consultant

Transportation Planner

Transportation planners play a crucial role in developing sustainable transportation solutions. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of parking management strategies, transportation pricing, and climate-friendly transportation policies. It equips you with the knowledge and skills to evaluate and implement parking policies that support sustainable cities. The module on Minnesota's transportation GHG reduction plan offers valuable insights into greenhouse gas reduction strategies in the transportation sector.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Transportation Engineer

Transportation engineers design, plan, and operate transportation systems. This course covers topics such as parking management, transportation pricing, and climate-friendly transportation policies. It helps you understand the challenges and opportunities in transportation planning and equips you with the knowledge to develop innovative solutions that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and promote sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Engineer

Architect

Architects design and supervise the construction of buildings. This course offers insights into green building principles, sustainable building materials, and solar orientation. It helps you understand the environmental implications of building design and equips you with the knowledge to design and construct buildings that minimize environmental impact and promote occupant well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Urban Designer

Urban designers create plans for the development of cities and towns. This course provides a foundation in form-based codes, sustainable building practices, and community revitalization. It equips you with the knowledge to design and implement urban plans that promote sustainable development, equitable access to resources, and a high quality of life for all.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

City Planner

City planners develop and implement plans for the growth and development of cities and towns. This course provides a foundation in form-based codes, sustainable building practices, and community revitalization. It equips you with the knowledge to design and implement urban plans that promote sustainable development, equitable access to resources, and a high quality of life for all.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Planner

Urban Planner

Urban planners shape the built environment to create livable and sustainable communities. This course provides a foundation in form-based codes, vacant property strategies, and community revitalization. It equips you with the knowledge to design and implement urban plans that promote sustainable development, equitable access to resources, and a high quality of life for all.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability managers oversee an organization's environmental and social performance. This course provides insights into green building construction, sustainable transportation, and community revitalization. It equips you with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement sustainability strategies that reduce environmental impact, enhance social equity, and contribute to the long-term well-being of the organization and its stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee the construction of buildings and infrastructure. This course provides a foundation in green building construction and smart growth principles. It helps you understand the environmental implications of construction and equips you with the knowledge to manage construction projects in a sustainable and responsible manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Energy Auditor

Energy auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and make recommendations for improvements. This course offers insights into green building principles, sustainable building materials, and energy generation. It helps you understand the environmental implications of energy consumption and equips you with the knowledge to conduct energy audits and recommend energy-saving measures that reduce environmental impact and operating costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design and build infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. This course provides a foundation in sustainable building construction and smart growth principles. It helps you understand the environmental implications of infrastructure development and equips you with the knowledge to design and construct infrastructure that minimizes environmental impact and promotes community well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers focus on protecting human health and the environment by developing solutions to pollution and other environmental challenges. This course provides knowledge in sustainable building practices, green construction, and climate-friendly transportation. It helps you understand the environmental impacts of urban development and design and implement strategies to mitigate these impacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and streetscapes. This course offers insights into sustainable building practices, green construction, and community revitalization. It helps you understand the role of green spaces in creating healthy and sustainable communities and equips you with the knowledge to design and implement landscape solutions that enhance environmental quality and community well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Real Estate Developer

Real estate developers acquire, develop, and manage properties. This course offers insights into sustainable building construction, green construction, and community revitalization. It helps you understand the environmental and social implications of real estate development and equips you with the knowledge to develop and implement sustainable projects that meet the needs of the community and minimize environmental impact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer