02.502 Imagining Resilient Cities

The term “resilience” has been applied in various fields, including ecology, biology, psychology, urban planning, and international politics. This course examines the theoretical framework and practical application of resilience building within the dimension of urban planning and public policy amid rapid digital transformation.

The course can be divided into two main sections: introduction of resilience in the context of climate change and AI, and thematic topics of resilience, vulnerability, and adaptation. Topics include community resilience, participatory planning, social capital, and digital transformation. In addition to discussing concepts, techniques, and tools, case studies with a reflective focus will be used to describe a variety of opportunities and challenges facing precarity. As a research seminar, students in this course will be active participants through photography presentations, oral discussions, documentaries, and analytical essays to reflect and present the depth and breadth of knowledge and insights to the class on resilient cities.

Week 1: Course Outline and Introduction
Imaging Resilience in the Face of Climate Change and AI

Week 2: What is Resilience

Week 3: Vulnerability & Adaptation

Week 4: Engaging with Resilience

Week 5: Toward Community Resilience

Week 6: Planning Resilient Cities

Week 7: Recess Week

Week 8: Participatory Climate Resilience

Week 9: Social Capital and Resilience

Week 10: Resilience and Resistance

Week 11: Resilience in the Digital World

Week 12: Revisiting Resilience

Week 13: Imagining Your Resilient City (Screening and Class Reflection)

Week 14: Follow-up and Class Reflective Essay

Instructor: Dr Cai Yanjun
Time: Tuesday (2-5PM)
Venue: Think Tank 13 (1.508)