Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

How Urbanisation, Health and Urban Planning Relate

This module will provide you with an overview of the key determinants of urban health. We will take you on a journey mainly through the European history of urbanisation and urban planning to reflect on the way health concerns and wellbeing have been considered and how general trends here have influenced the design of cities all across the world. Finally, we will dive into the causes and effects of air pollution and noise, two of the major health hazards in today’s urban settings. We hope the readings and resources will inspire you to begin exploring your own urban setting in terms of e.g. density and different kinds of pollution.

Ageing and Gentrification

The world population is undergoing major changes. The share of urban population is increasing, as does that of people aged 65 or over. In this module we will focus on the concept of ageing across the lifecycle, and on how different features of urban environment influence health and the ageing process. Furthermore, we will explore the phenomenon of gentrification and its impact on health in different segments of our populations. In the reading and resources section you will find shortcuts to databases and cases from different cities.

Nature-based Solutions

On many different levels evidence confirm how crucial the integration of elements of nature in the urban design is to sustain physical as well as mental health. In this module you will be introduced to blue and green planning as an instrument to promote health and mitigate and adapt to climate changes. We will look at the benefits of green space and small-scale urban farming from a community and health perspective. You will also meet examples of how new ways of designing public space motivates citizens to lead a daily physically active and healthy life. In the readings and resource section you will find more in depth material on nature based solutions and effects on climate change.

Innovative Solutions

How can we align urban planning with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? In an urban context, how can we bend the curve of obesity? How can we reduce mortality and disease associated with the layout of the urban space and namely the way we design our transport systems? In this module you will meet stakeholders who are globally engaged in the development and implementation of sustainable approaches to resolve some of the major health related challenges that cities are facing globally. Further, you will get access to tools and frameworks for your own use

Innovation and Communication

Maybe you are already involved in activities that support a healthy and sustainable development in your own neighborhood or city, or even across cities. Or maybe you would like to get started or take action in a new way. Now is your chance to mature and consider how you can best convince others to engage in your idea! In the previous modules we have identified the key determinants to urban health and provided examples of prevailing methods to come up with sustainable solutions. We now add to the palette some overall principles and frameworks commonly used for innovation to improve health. You will also be introduced to some tools to effectively communicate your specific idea, including ways to visualize the data you build your arguments around. In the resource section you will find a variety of toolkits and design guides and we invite you to study each of them and consider which parts could be helpful to identify and come up with a suggestion for a sustainable solution to a specific problem you are engaged in.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes the significance of urban health, which is crucial for planning sustainable urban communities

Involves esteemed instructors from renowned universities, ensuring access to expert knowledge and perspectives

Focuses on the real-world challenges and solutions surrounding urban health, addressing pressing issues faced by cities today

Leverages a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from urban planning, public health, and environmental sciences

Provides practical tools and frameworks for innovation in urban health, empowering students to drive sustainable solutions

Emphasizes communication and engagement, equipping students to effectively advocate for and implement healthy urban planning strategies

Reviews summary

Urban health course encourages sustainable solutions

Learners say this online course on urban health is 5-star worthy and provides excellent content. The course is well-structured with varied learning resources including videos, readings, and discussion questions. Students appreciate the practical knowledge they gain, which helps improve health in urban areas. Additionally, they value the diverse perspectives shared by experts and the focus on sustainability.

Learners value the expert perspectives shared.

"Learners say they value the diverse perspectives shared by experts."

"One student says, \"The course was excellent, added a lot of information to my previous knowledge.\nI thank all the professors and producers of this course.\""

The course offers a variety of learning materials.

"Learners appreciate the varied learning resources."

"One student says, \"Un cours complet, équilibré, varié et interactif n des meilleurs que j'ai pu faire ici ! \""

The course emphasizes sustainability.

"Learners say the course has a strong focus on sustainability."

"One student says, \"This course serves as an insightful overview of the prevailing perspectives, both historical and current, on sustainable urbanization.\""

Learners gain practical knowledge.

"Learners say they gain practical knowledge that helps improve urban health."

"One student says, \"The course was amazing, I liked how the universities came together to present the same problem with different solutions from different perspectives and contexts.\""

This course is highly rated.

"Overall, the feedback for this course is largely positive."

"Many students say this course is 5-star worthy."

"One student says, \"Excellent course. I fully recommend it.\""

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 Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions with these activities:

Explore Online Resources on Sustainable Urban Planning

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Engaging with online materials will enhance your understanding of current trends and best practices in urban sustainability.

Browse courses on Sustainable Development Goals

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Visit the websites of organizations such as the UN Habitat and the World Health Organization
Review online courses and tutorials on sustainable urban planning
Attend webinars and virtual events hosted by industry experts

Volunteer at a Local Health Fair

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Volunteering at a health fair allows you to develop practical communication skills while educating others about health topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Contact local health organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Choose a health fair that aligns with your interests and skills
Prepare materials and activities to engage with attendees
Set up your booth and interact with participants
Evaluate your experience and reflect on ways to improve outreach efforts

Complete Urban Planning Case Studies

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Solving case studies will allow you to practice applying course concepts to real-world scenarios, improving your problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Browse courses on Urban Design

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Select case studies relevant to the current course module
Read and analyze the case studies
Identify the key issues and challenges presented
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Write a short report summarizing your findings and recommendations

Three other activities

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Design an Urban Greening Project

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Working on an actual project in your city or neighborhood will help you apply knowledge gained in the course and engage with real-world challenges.

Browse courses on Health Promotion

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Identify a target area for your project (e.g., a vacant lot, park, or street)
Research and gather information about the specific needs of the community and environment
Design a plan for your project, including details on plant selection, landscaping, and maintenance
Present your plan to community stakeholders and seek their feedback
Implement your project and monitor its progress

Create an Infographic on a Course Topic

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Creating an infographic will help you synthesize and communicate complex urban planning concepts in a visually engaging and accessible manner.

Browse courses on Nature-Based Solutions

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Choose a specific course topic to focus on
Research and gather data from credible sources
Design and create your infographic using a tool like Canva or Piktochart
Share your infographic on social media or other online platforms

Develop a Proposal for Urban Health Improvement

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Creating a proposal will allow you to apply your knowledge to a real-world problem and gain experience in developing and presenting policy recommendations.

Browse courses on Health Impact Assessment

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Identify a specific urban health issue to address
Conduct a needs assessment and collect relevant data
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Draft a proposal outlining your recommendations and implementation plan
Present your proposal to relevant stakeholders and decision-makers

Career center

Learners who complete Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Urban and Regional Planner

As an Urban and Regional Planner, you will design plans for the use of land, such as how much of an area will be residential and how much will be commercial. You will also plan for roads, parks, and public transportation as well as think about how the needs of the community will affect local policies and regulations. This course covers many topics that are highly relevant to the work that Urban and Regional Planners do, including topics such as public safety, green spaces, and policies affecting the community. To be successful in this role, you should have a master's degree in urban and regional planning or a related field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban and Regional Planner

Urban Planner

As an Urban Planner, you will work on projects such as creating new parks, designing new neighborhoods, and improving transportation systems. This course covers topics such as blue and green spaces, ageing and gentrification, and innovative solutions, all of which are highly relevant to the work of Urban Planners. You will also learn about the key determinants of urban health and how to create sustainable solutions that promote health and well-being. This course will provide you with a strong foundation for a career as an Urban Planner.

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Health Educator

As a Health Educator, you will work to improve the health of individuals and communities. You will develop and implement health education programs, and you will work with people from all walks of life. This course covers topics such as community engagement, health promotion, and disease prevention, all of which are highly relevant to the work of Health Educators. This course will provide you with a strong foundation for a career as a Health Educator.

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Epidemiologist

As an Epidemiologist, you will study how diseases spread and how to prevent them. This involves working with data from a variety of sources, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories as well as examining environmental factors that affect health. This course covers the major determinants of urban health, which will provide a strong foundation for understanding the spread of diseases in urban areas. It also provides case studies and examples of how to create sustainable solutions to health problems.

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Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you will research and analyze public policies. You will work with data from a variety of sources, including government reports, academic studies, and stakeholder interviews. This course provides you with a strong foundation in the use of data to understand and improve urban health. You will learn about the key determinants of urban health and how to use data to develop and evaluate sustainable solutions. You will also learn about the policy-making process and how to advocate for policies that promote health and well-being.

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Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will work on projects such as building new schools, improving transportation systems, and developing new urban communities. This course covers topics such as ageing and gentrification, nature-based solutions, and innovative solutions, all of which are highly relevant to the work of Project Managers in urban settings. You will also learn about the key determinants of urban health and how to create sustainable solutions that promote health and well-being. This course will provide you with a strong foundation for a career as a Project Manager in the urban planning field.

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Environmental Health Scientist

As an Environmental Health Scientist, you will investigate the potential health effects of environmental hazards such as pollution and radiation. You also work to develop and implement regulations to protect human health from environmental hazards. Many of the topics covered in this course, such as air pollution, noise, and climate change, will be of direct relevance to your work as an Environmental Health Scientist.

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Public Health Nurse

As a Public Health Nurse, you work to promote and maintain health within a specific community. You will work with individuals and families as well as lead community programs. One of the main focuses of public health is to identify and address the health concerns of urban communities. This course provides you with a comprehensive overview of the key determinants of urban health and provides examples of sustainable solutions. These concepts will be of great use as you work as a Public Health Nurse.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will use data to solve problems and make decisions. You will work with data from a variety of sources, including social media, sensors, and surveys. This course provides you with a strong foundation in the use of data to understand and improve urban health. You will learn about the key determinants of urban health and how to use data to develop and evaluate sustainable solutions.

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Urban Designer

As an Urban Designer, you will design and plan for the development of cities and towns. You will work on projects such as creating new parks, designing new neighborhoods, and improving transportation systems. This course will introduce you to the key determinants of urban health and provide examples of sustainable solutions. This knowledge will be highly valuable as you work to create healthy and sustainable communities.

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Landscape Architect

As a Landscape Architect, you will design outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds. You will work to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. This course covers topics such as blue and green spaces, and how they affect the health and well-being of urban residents. This knowledge will be invaluable as you design outdoor spaces.

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Civil Engineer

As a Civil Engineer, you will design and construct infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and water treatment plants. This course covers topics such as air pollution, noise, and climate change, all of which can affect the design and construction of infrastructure projects. This course may help you build a foundation for working as a Civil Engineer.

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Architect

As an Architect, you will design and build homes, offices, schools, and other buildings. You will work to create buildings that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course covers topics such as air pollution, noise, and climate change, all of which can affect the design and construction of buildings. This course may help you build a foundation for working as an Architect.

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Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you will work to make your organization more sustainable. You will develop and implement sustainability policies and practices as well as track and report on the organization's sustainability performance. While this course does not go into the specifics of general sustainability, it does cover a number of factors that affect urban health which can be applied to making an organization more sustainable. This course may help you build a foundation to begin a career as a Sustainability Manager.

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Sustainability Consultant

The world is actively looking for ways to be more sustainable, and since so much of the population lives in cities, there is increasing demand for Sustainability Consultants. You would be responsible for understanding the needs of the community you work with and then creating a plan for how to make the community more sustainable. While this course does not go into the specifics of general sustainability, it does cover a number of factors that affect urban health which can be applied to a plan for sustainability. This course may help you build a foundation to begin a career as a Sustainability Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant