02.548: Advanced Urban Analysis – Environmental Sustainability

Implying that sustainable use of natural resources involves social justice and economic development as well as environmental concerns, the notion of sustainability has led away from narrower conceptions of urban environmentalism, toward more consideration for the future, greater integration of social and economic goals with environmental and ecological objectives, and hence a fundamental rethinking of how cities should be theorized, planned and managed.

This course introduces graduate students to the emerging field of urban sustainability from a combined academic-practical perspective. The course provides students with the theoretical and methodological tools with which to explore the potential for a sustainable urbanism. Approaches to foster more sustainable and resilient forms of urbanization and urban life in different sectors of urban operation (i.e. building, energy, transportation, land use, water, etc.) will be introduced and evaluated. Course deliverables include a mid-term essay, a group case-project, and in-class activities. A Climate Fresk Workshop as well as a field trip to Bishan Park and meetings with experts also form course components. The course is divided into four sequential sections: (1) Conceptual Foundations of Urban Environmental Sustainability (Week 1-4); (2) Cities and Climate Change (Week 5-8); (3) Solutions and Applications (including field trip) (Week 9-13); and (4) Synthesis and Reflection (Week 14).

Instructors: Dr Jennifer Li & Ms Karen Tham
Time: Tuesday (1-4pm)
Venue: Think Tank 6 (1.408)

Week 1: Chinse New Year (no class)
Week 2: Introduction and Background
Week 3: Conceptual and Analytical Frameworks for Environmental Sustainability
Week 4: Governance of Urban Environmental Sustainability
Week 5: Learning Climate Science through Climate Fresk
Week 6: Cities and Climate Change: Mitigation
Week 7: Spring Break (no class)
Week 8: Cities and Climate Change: Adaptation
Week 9: Grey Infrastructures I — Energy & Buildings
Week 10: Grey Infrastructures II — Transportation and Land Use
Week 11: Blue and Green Infrastructures I — Water
Week 12: Site Visit
Week 13: Blue and Green Infrastructures II — Urban Greenery
Week 14: Case studies