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Michael Keith, Juan Carlos Duque, Pengjun Zhao, Aromar Revi, Neave O'Cleary, Susan Parnell, Edgar Pieterse, Tim Schwanen, and Gautam Bhan

If we are to make sense of the future of humanity, we must understand the future of the city. For some scholars the 21st century globe will see the most significant change of human history - the move of most of the world to live in cities - a planetary urbanism that has changed the way we live globally, the way we organise ourselves economically and the impact humanity has on our environment in an age that we consequently now describe as the Anthropocene.

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If we are to make sense of the future of humanity, we must understand the future of the city. For some scholars the 21st century globe will see the most significant change of human history - the move of most of the world to live in cities - a planetary urbanism that has changed the way we live globally, the way we organise ourselves economically and the impact humanity has on our environment in an age that we consequently now describe as the Anthropocene.

Most of the urban growth on the planet will be in the global South and this is where we concentrate the attention of this course, drawing on the work of a five-year programme known as PEAK Urban, involving a collaboration of researchers from China, Colombia, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Through the partnership of five renowned academic institutions around the world - the University of Oxford, Peking University (Beijing), The African Centre for Cities (Cape Town), Indian Institute for Human Settlements (Bengaluru) and EAFIT University (Medellín), the PEAK Urban programme aims to aid decision-making on urban futures by:

  • Generating new research grounded in the logic of urban complexity;
  • Fostering the next generation of leaders that draw on different perspectives and backgrounds to address the greatest urban challenges of the 21st century; and,
  • Growing the capacity of cities to understand and plan their own future.

Shaping Urban Futures aims to demonstrate how complementary research projects have applied the PEAK Urban framework – Prediction, Emergence, Adoption and Knowledge – to uncover interrelated issues of health, climate change, migration and informality in places that will face the biggest challenges from rapid unplanned urbanisation.

This course consists of 6 modules, with an Introduction and a Closing module sandwiching 4 core modules. Each module involves around 5-6 hours of learning. To get the best out of the course, learners are encouraged to view all the video lectures and conversations, go through other learning material, work on all the assignments and assessments, and participate in discussions in a constructive and respectful manner.

This course is designed principally for people working in cities who want to make a difference and for all urban scholars, from early career researchers to veteran urbanists and everyone in between. This course will also hopefully inspire workers in local government, community organisations and the private sector as well as urban scholars to build upon the experiences of a global network to develop their own methods and frames to view, interpret and define urban changes in their local geographies and contexts.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Recognise the new urban sciences that are driving our understanding of urbanisation across the world
  • Examine carefully how we should understand how to trace, examine and explore the ways new social, economic and environmental changes emerge and reshape the working of the city
  • Visualise how technological change is adopted, adapted and deployed differently in variable city contexts
  • Understand how best to intervene in urban futures through sharing urban experiences and contributing to the coproduction of knowledge to enrich and strengthen knowledge exchange in cities
  • Urban sciences
  • Urban research
  • Knowledge generation through research
  • By the end of this course, you will be able to:
  • The skills this course helps you develop are:

Syllabus

An introduction and setting of context for your learning experience on the Shaping Urban Futures course. The goal of this course is to help you discuss the importance of cities in the 21st century global context and encourage you to share your understanding of cities and the frameworks and lenses under which they are studied.
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In this module, you will get an overview of what to expect from this course, meet your instructors and have the opportunity to meet your fellow learners. It will help you familiarise yourself with the course and its contents so you are prepared to learn most effectively from the subsequent set of core modules.
New Ways of Knowing the City
Understanding COVID-19 and other disaster scenarios through mobility data
Transport planning
Downscaling census data using satellite imagery
Using satellite imagery and machine learning to predict urban growth
Using smart phone big data to examine spatial-temporal patterns of urban park visitation
Using big data to study the impact of green space and the built environment on health
Recognising the Emergent City
Climate change, plastics and drains in Delhi
"Invisibilised Territories": Emerging Urbanisms in Geographies of Displacement1
Emergent Mobilities in an Age of COVID
Social Solidarities, Sexualities and Health in the Urban South
Using Land to Finance Urban Development in the Global South
Exploring Socio-Technical Systems
Fintech Remittances
Blockchain Cadastration
Platform Mobilities
African Kitchens and New Migrant Places in New Delhi
Domestic Energy
Grounding Knowledge
Questions of Knowledge and Practice in the City
Practice
Co-production in Gendered Cities
Rethinking Urban Health Data
Knowledge Transfer and Co-production for Achieving the SDGs in Cities
Shaping Cities with Evidence: The Important Role of Policymakers, Practitioners and Civil Societ
Closing Reflections
Bringing It All Together: A Conversation
Recapping Course Learning Outcomes
Module 1 Shaping Urban Futures: An Introduction
Module 2How to Know a City: New Urban Sciences
Module 3What to Know in a City: New Urban Formations
Module 4How Cities are Changing: Urban Disruptions
Module 5Transforming the City: Making a Difference on the Ground
Module 6Reflections on the Future City: Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for individuals in various leadership roles within city governance, urban planning, and community organizations
Relevant for early career researchers, veteran urbanists, and anyone interested in urban studies
Emphasizes the use of new urban sciences to understand urbanization
Provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of rapid unplanned urbanization
Taught by renowned instructors from leading academic institutions
Offers practical skills and knowledge for working in urban environments

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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 Shaping Urban Futures with these activities:
Review City Planning Concepts
Revisit key concepts in urban planning to strengthen your foundation for this course.
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  • Review notes or textbooks from previous urban planning courses.
  • Read articles or blogs on contemporary urban planning practices.
  • Attend a webinar or online lecture on urban planning concepts.
Engage in Discussion Groups
Participate in discussion groups to share insights, ask questions, and engage with fellow learners.
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  • Join online discussion forums or study groups.
  • Contribute to discussions and share your perspectives.
  • Actively listen to others and learn from their experiences.
Analyze Urban Data
Practice analyzing urban data to improve your ability to extract insights from complex datasets.
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  • Find a dataset on urban indicators or trends.
  • Use statistical software or tools to explore and visualize the data.
  • Identify patterns, trends, or correlations within the data.
Four other activities
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Attend Urban Planning Workshops
Attend workshops to gain practical knowledge and insights from experts in the field of urban planning.
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  • Identify upcoming urban planning workshops or conferences.
  • Register for and attend the workshops.
  • Actively participate in discussions and ask questions.
Contribute to Urban Planning Projects
Contribute to open-source urban planning projects to gain practical experience and connect with the community.
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  • Identify open-source urban planning projects on platforms like GitHub.
  • Review project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Collaborate with other contributors and submit your contributions for review.
Develop a Case Study on Urban Resilience
Create a case study to demonstrate your understanding of urban resilience and how it can be applied in practice.
Browse courses on Urban Resilience
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  • Select a city or region facing urban resilience challenges.
  • Research and analyze existing urban resilience plans and initiatives.
  • Develop a case study that outlines the challenges, strategies, and outcomes related to urban resilience.
Develop a City Model or Visualization
Create a city model or visualization to demonstrate your understanding of urban systems and dynamics.
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  • Choose a city or urban area to model or visualize.
  • Use relevant data and tools to create a representation of the city's infrastructure, demographics, or other aspects.
  • Present your model or visualization to others to explain your findings and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Shaping Urban Futures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Urban Sociologist
Urban Sociologists study the social and cultural aspects of urban life. They research topics such as poverty, crime, and inequality to develop policies that address the social challenges facing cities. This course may be useful in teaching you how to understand how to trace, examine and explore the ways new social, economic and environmental changes emerge and reshape the working of the city.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment to develop policies and programs that protect the environment and human health. They work with policymakers, engineers, and other stakeholders to create policies and programs that are effective and equitable. This course may be useful in teaching you how to understand how to trace, examine and explore the ways new social, economic and environmental changes emerge and reshape the working of the city.
Public Health Researcher
Public Health Researchers study the causes of disease and injury to develop policies and programs that promote health and prevent disease. They work with policymakers, health care providers, and other stakeholders to create policies and programs that are effective and equitable. This course may be useful in teaching you how to understand how to trace, examine and explore the ways new social, economic and environmental changes emerge and reshape the working of the city.
Demographer
Demographers study population trends and characteristics. They use data to analyze population growth, decline, and distribution to develop policies that address the needs of changing populations. This course may be useful in teaching you how to understand how to trace, examine and explore the ways new social, economic and environmental changes emerge and reshape the working of the city.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations to adopt sustainable practices. They work with clients to develop and implement strategies that reduce environmental impact and promote social responsibility. This course may be useful in teaching you how to ground knowledge in the logic of urban complexity and inform decision-making on urban futures.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners work with environmental scientists, engineers, developers, architects, and landscape architects in planning communities. Urban Planners affect the future of their communities by devising plans for the physical layout of land used for residential, commercial, and industrial development as well as public facilities such as schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, and transportation systems, and conduct research to determine the need for such facilities. This course may be useful in teaching you how to study urban growth and development and understand how to best intervene in urban futures.
Urban Designer
Urban Designers plan and design cities and towns. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create sustainable, livable, and aesthetically pleasing communities. This course may be useful in teaching you how new scientific methods and technologies to make cities more sustainable and promote more efficient use of space.
Landscape Architect
Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and plazas. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. This course may be useful in teaching you how to use big data to study the impact of green space and the built environment on health.
Transportation Planner
Transportation Planners play an integral role in the planning and development of transportation systems. They work with engineers, architects, and other professionals to design and implement transportation plans that meet the needs of their communities. This course may be useful in teaching you how to use big data to study the impact of green space and the built environment on health and mobility data.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They work with architects, landscape architects, and other professionals to create safe, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure. This course may be useful in teaching you how to use new scientific methods and technologies to make cities more sustainable.
Real Estate Developer
Real Estate Developers acquire, develop, and manage real property. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create new buildings and communities. This course may be useful in teaching you how to new scientific methods and technologies to make cities more sustainable make real estate development more sustainable and equitable.
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientists investigate the effects of environmental factors on human health. They work with engineers, epidemiologists, and other professionals to develop and implement programs to protect the public from environmental hazards. This course may be useful in teaching you how to study the emergence of new diseases like COVID-19 so that you may shape urban areas to be better prepared for future pandemics.
Housing Policy Analyst
Housing Policy Analysts research and analyze housing issues to develop policies that address the housing needs of communities. They work with policymakers, developers, and other stakeholders to create policies that are effective and equitable. This course may be useful in teaching you how to use new scientific methods and technologies to make cities more sustainable and equitable.
Architect
Architects design buildings and other structures for both public and private clients. They work with engineers, contractors, and other professionals to create safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing buildings. This course may be useful in teaching you how the emergence and adoption of new technologies are changing architectural design and development.
City Manager
City Managers implement local laws and policies passed by the mayor and city council. They are responsible for overseeing a city's day-to-day operations and for managing its employees. They also prepare and administer the city's budget, plan for the future, and represent the city in dealings with other governments and organizations. This course may be useful in teaching you how to participate in knowledge exchange in cities.

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Shaping Urban Futures.
Explores the concept of the smart city, and it provides a critical analysis of the promises and pitfalls of this new urban paradigm.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the major theories and concepts in urban sociology, and it useful resource for students and scholars alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing urban development in the 21st century.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing urban sustainability in the 21st century.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing cities in the developing world.
Collection of classic and contemporary essays on the city, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the different ways in which scholars have thought about urban life.
Classic work of urban theory, and it provides a critical analysis of the ways in which space is produced and used in the city.

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