Overview

Welcome to Climate Resilience and Urban Sustainability, the first course in the Building Sustainable Cities Specialization. By completing Climate Resilience and Urban Sustainability, you will gain the ability to apply a comprehensive toolkit of case studies to address urban resilience and sustainability. You will be empowered to create and advocate for policy, technological, and other changes aimed at improving these outcomes within their communities. You will also develop the skills to analyze and understand the origins, causes, and consequences of current sustainability and resilience challenges. You will benefit from a deeper understanding of the challenges cities face today, particularly in the context of global climate change and social equity. The course provides insights into the history of land use and urban development in the United States, highlighting the rise of automobile dependence and the impact of fossil fuels. It also explores the policies and politics that contribute to unsustainable development patterns. What makes this course unique is its focus on practical application. Through quizzes and real-world examples, you will engage with topics such as urban heat, flood risk, and climate costs, gaining the knowledge needed to identify and address these issues in your own community. The course also covers innovative planning frameworks like New Urbanism and Smart Growth, offering you a forward-thinking approach to urban development.

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course

Welcome to the Climate Resilience and Urban Sustainability course. Get started by meeting the instructors, reviewing expectations for the specialization and course, and introducing yourself to the class.

Why Here, Why Now?

This module addresses the resilience and sustainability challenges facing modern cities and regions, emphasizing the importance of urban resilience in the context of global climate change and social equity. You will identify specific challenges within your own community, exploring how these issues may be impacted by climate change. Through case studies and quizzes, the module provides insights into effective strategies for building sustainable and resilient urban environments.

How Did We Get Here?

This module explores the history of land use and urban development in the U.S., focusing on the rise of the automobile, urban sprawl, and fossil fuel dependence. It examines the policies and politics that subsidize unsustainable development patterns and discusses the social, economic, and environmental risks associated with various land use patterns, including forests, coastlines, and urban centers. Participants will analyze how these factors contribute to current community challenges.

Reconsidering Land Use

This module explores the origins of New Urbanism, Smart Growth, and other planning frameworks developed in response to urban sprawl, car dependence, and environmental degradation. It examines how changes in environmental law and policy have influenced land use and development patterns, and investigates the connections between housing and climate action as strategies to address environmental challenges and achieve sustainability goals.

Equity and Systemic Challenges

This module examines the equity impacts of auto-dependence and single-family zoning, applying systems thinking to identify global urban sustainability challenges. You will evaluate sustainability practices and policies through an equity lens, exploring how urban design can promote social and economic equity. The module includes case studies and quizzes to deepen understanding of environmental justice and the role of inclusive planning in creating equitable urban futures.