Systems approaches for urban transitions
URB-401 / 4 credits
Teacher(s): Binder Signer Claudia Rebeca, Hecher Maria Anna, Jessel Beate
Language: English
Summary
The objective of this course is to rethink urban transitions by taking a systemic perspective. It provides the foundation for analyzing and designing urban transitions, integrating technical infrastructure, ecological, and social aspects.
Content
- This course offers an interdisciplinary perspective of urban systems and transitions through a qualitative systems thinking approach.
- It provides the foundation to analyze the multifaceted nature of urban transitions, encompassing technical urban infrastructure, ecological aspects, and social dynamics like governance and social acceptance.
- The focus is set on the interactions between the built environment, the ecological system, as well as actors and governance structures.
- Students will engage in analyzing complex urban challenges, developing strategies for sustainable transitions in cities.
- Students will gain skills in applying and integrating methods to inform policy decisions and urban planning solutions.
Keywords
Urban transitions, systems thinking, sustainability strategies, urban metabolism, green-blue-grey infrastructure, ecosystem services, social perspectives, policy and governance
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Develop system thinking skills to understand complex urban systems.
- Apply transition theory concepts to analyze urban systems and their dynamics.
- Recognize urban systems as social-technical-ecological systems.
- Recognize systemic approaches combining green-blue-grey and social infrastructures.
- Recognize the social perspective of urban transitions.
- Develop strategies for intervening in urban systems and foster sustainable transitions.
- Develop
Transversal skills
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
- Collect data.
- Make an oral presentation.
- Write a scientific or technical report.
- Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.
Teaching methods
Lectures with theoretical concepts and applications, guest lectures, group projects
Assessment methods
Individual exam 50%, group project report 30%, group project presentation 20%
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Systems approaches for urban transitions
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: mandatory
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Systems approaches for urban transitions
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Oral (winter session)
- Subject examined: Systems approaches for urban transitions
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional