Designing Cities from Coursera

Please Note: Designing Cities will close for new learner enrollment on September 30, 2019. Enrolled learners have until March 28, 2020 to complete all graded assignments and earn a Course Certificate. Each module in Designing Cities will focus on a different aspect of city design including: How Todayâ€™s City Evolved; The Ideas That Shape Cities; Tools for Designing Cities; Making Cities Sustainable; Cities in the Information Age; Preserving Older Cities; Designing New Cities, Districts and Neighborhoods; The Challenges of Informal Cities and Disadvantaged Neighborhoods; and Visionary Cities. Materials will be presented by the instructors and guest faculty from PennDesign through a series of five or more lessons per module, each typically 10-12 minutes long. The first lesson in each module will be a roundtable discussion among professors Stefan Al, Jonathan Barnett, and Gary Hack introducing the big issues associated with the subject. Each succeeding module will be a self-contained illustrated presentation of a set of ideas and images. There will be a list of suggested readings for those who wish to follow up on the ideas in each module. Everyone enrolled in Designing Cities will be expected to complete 3 assignments. These will be posted on the course site and they will be in the form of peer assessments. There will be a great deal to be learned from the ideas participants submit, reflecting cities of all sizes and circumstances across the globe so once you submit your assignment, you'll be able to see what your peers have done.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the evolution of cities, which is standard in urban planning

Taught by three professors from PennDesign, who are recognized for their work in urban design

Examines the challenges of informal cities and disadvantaged neighborhoods, which is highly relevant to urban planning and development

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may add color to other topics and subjects

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials

Requires prior knowledge and experience in urban design or a related field

Reviews summary

Urban design essentials

Designing Cities is a course that provides an overview of the different aspects of city design. According to reviewers, it is a well-structured course with engaging video content. The assignments, which are in the form of peer assessments, are a great way to learn from others. One potential downside is that the course uses older videos that are not always up-to-date. Overall, this course is recommended for anyone interested in learning more about city design.

Modules focus on different aspects of city design

Peer assessments facilitate learning from others

Videos are not always up-to-date

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 Designing Cities with these activities:

Create a digital notebook or portfolio of your work

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This will help you to stay organized and to track your progress.

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Create a new digital notebook or portfolio.
Add your notes, assignments, and projects to the notebook or portfolio.

Read "The Image of the City"

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This book is a classic work on urban sociology and will give you a strong foundation for understanding the concepts of city design.

View The Image of the City (Harvard-MIT Joint Center... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapter 1.
Read chapters 2 and 3.
Read chapters 4 and 5.
Read the conclusion.

Read "A Pattern Language"

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This book is essential reading for any student of architecture or urban planning.

View Pattern Language for Game Design on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapter 1.
Read chapters 2 and 3.
Read chapters 4 and 5.
Read the conclusion.

Five other activities

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Follow tutorials on sustainable city design

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These tutorials will teach you about the principles of sustainable city design.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Watch the tutorial on "The Principles of Sustainable City Design".
Watch the tutorial on "How to Design a Sustainable City District".
Watch the tutorial on "The Future of Sustainable Cities".

Attend a city planning conference

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Attending a city planning conference will allow you to meet with other professionals in the field

Browse courses on City Planning

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Find a city planning conference that interests you.
Register for the conference.
Attend the conference and participate in the sessions.
Network with other attendees.

Volunteer with a local planning organization

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Volunteering with a local planning organization will give you hands-on experience in the field.

Browse courses on City Planning

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Find a local planning organization that interests you.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer with the organization.

Design a new city district

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This project will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in this course to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on City Planning

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Choose a site for your new district.
Develop a master plan for your district.
Design the buildings and infrastructure for your district.
Create a sustainability plan for your district.
Present your design to your classmates.

Write a blog post about a city design issue

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Writing a blog post will help you to synthesize your learning and to share your knowledge with others

Browse courses on City Planning

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Choose a city design issue that interests you.
Research the issue.
Write your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing Cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Planner

Environmental Planners work to protect and improve the environment by developing and implementing plans for land use, water resources, and air quality. They work with scientists, engineers, and other professionals to create plans that balance the needs of development with the need to protect the environment. This course introduces the key principles of environmental planning, including the history of environmental planning, the different types of environmental planning tools, and the challenges facing environmental planners today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Environmental Planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Urban Designer

Urban Designers plan and design cities and towns, working closely with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create livable and sustainable communities. This course introduces the key principles of urban design, including how cities evolve, the ideas that shape them, and the tools used to design them. It also covers specific topics such as sustainable cities, cities in the information age, preserving older cities, and designing new cities and neighborhoods. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners plan and design transportation systems, including roads, highways, public transportation, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. They work with engineers, architects, and other professionals to create transportation systems that are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. This course introduces the key principles of transportation planning, including the history of transportation planning, the different types of transportation planning tools, and the challenges facing transportation planners today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Transportation Planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

City Planner

City Planners develop and implement plans for the physical development of cities and towns. They work with elected officials, community members, and other stakeholders to create plans that address a variety of issues, such as land use, transportation, housing, and economic development. This course provides a foundation in the principles of city planning, including the history of city planning, the different types of planning tools, and the challenges facing cities today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful City Planner.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design and create 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 introduces the key principles of landscape architecture, including the history of landscape architecture, the different types of landscape architecture tools, and the challenges facing landscape architects today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Landscape Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Urban Sociologist

Urban Sociologists study the social patterns and processes of cities. They work with urban planners, geographers, and other professionals to understand how cities work and how they can be improved. This course introduces the key principles of urban sociology, including the history of urban sociology, the different types of urban sociology tools, and the challenges facing urban sociologists today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Sociologist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Sociologist

Urban Geographer

Urban Geographers study the spatial patterns and processes of cities. They work with urban planners, sociologists, and other professionals to understand how cities work and how they can be improved. This course introduces the key principles of urban geography, including the history of urban geography, the different types of urban geography tools, and the challenges facing urban geographers today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Geographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Geographer

Urban Economist

Urban Economists study the economic patterns and processes of cities. They work with urban planners, economists, and other professionals to understand how cities work and how they can be improved. This course introduces the key principles of urban economics, including the history of urban economics, the different types of urban economics tools, and the challenges facing urban economists today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Economist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Economist

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and construct infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water systems. They work with architects, urban planners, and other professionals to create infrastructure that is safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. This course introduces the key principles of civil engineering, including the history of civil engineering, the different types of civil engineering tools, and the challenges facing civil engineers today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Civil Engineer.

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Urban Policy Analyst

Urban Policy Analysts study the policies that affect cities. They work with policymakers, urban planners, and other professionals to develop and evaluate policies that improve the quality of life in cities. This course introduces the key principles of urban policy analysis, including the history of urban policy analysis, the different types of urban policy analysis tools, and the challenges facing urban policy analysts today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Policy Analyst.

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Architect

Architects design and construct buildings and other structures. They work with clients, engineers, and other professionals to create buildings that are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. This course introduces the key principles of architecture, including the history of architecture, the different types of architectural styles, and the challenges facing architects today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Real Estate Developer

Real Estate Developers acquire, develop, and manage real estate. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to create new buildings and redevelop existing buildings. This course introduces the key principles of real estate development, including the history of real estate development, the different types of real estate development tools, and the challenges facing real estate developers today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Real Estate Developer.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. They work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This course introduces the key principles of construction management, including the history of construction management, the different types of construction management tools, and the challenges facing construction managers today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Construction Manager.

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Urban Historian

Urban Historians study the history of cities. They work with historians, sociologists, and other professionals to understand how cities have changed over time and how they have been shaped by different factors. This course introduces the key principles of urban history, including the history of urban history, the different types of urban history tools, and the challenges facing urban historians today. Taking this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful Urban Historian.

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Mentioned in an article

Read about this course and others like it in articles from our blog, the Course Notes: