Sustainable Cities Case Studies
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Sustainable Cities Case Studies
This course is part of Building Sustainable Cities Specialization
Instructors: Shane Casey
Included with
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Understand urban firestorm events, and develop a recovery strategy that demonstrates best practices in “Firewise” communities.
Evaluate how the green jobs transition is growing the local economy in DC, and how access to green space and transit plays a role in gentrification.
Appraise the social, economic, and environmental value of robust bicycle transit options in Copenhagen.
Examine how circular economy principles affect overall social wellbeing and success through Singapore’s Green Plan and Zero Waste Masterplan.
Skills you'll gain
- Economic Development
- Environmental Policy
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Policy Analysis, Research, and Development
- Mitigation
- Energy and Utilities
- Water Sustainability
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Sustainable Development
- Case Studies
- Stormwater Management
- Environmental Issue
- Community Development
- Land Development
- Water Resource Management
- Sustainable Systems
Details to know
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Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 5 modules in this course
Welcome to Sustainable Cities Case Studies, the third and final course in the Building Sustainable Cities Specialization. This course is intended to build upon foundational concepts and ideas developed in the previous two courses. Upon completing Sustainable Cities Case Studies, you will be able to analyze and evaluate practical strategies for urban sustainability and resilience in context. You will gain insights by exploring significant events and locations, such as the August 2023 wildfire on Maui. You will also examine the effects of transit-oriented development in Washington DC, the development of bicycle infrastructure in Copenhagen, and urban agriculture in Singapore. These case studies will provide a diverse understanding of how different cities address sustainability and resilience challenges.
You will benefit from a comprehensive understanding of best practices in urban sustainability and climate resilience, using real-world examples to inform and put this knowledge into context. You will develop a vision for creating sustainable and resilient cities in the future, focusing on practical, actionable strategies. Sustainable Cities Case Studies uniquely integrates diverse global perspectives, providing you with the tools to assess and formulate plans that address ecological, policy, and social contexts, ultimately preparing you to contribute effectively to urban resilience initiatives.
Welcome to the Sustainable Cities Case Studies course. Get started by meeting the instructors, reviewing expectations for the specialization and course, and introducing yourself to the class.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt
2 videos•Total 7 minutes
- Meet the Instructor: William Shutkin•4 minutes
- Meet the Instructor: Shane Casey•3 minutes
3 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
- About this Specialization•10 minutes
- About this Course•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Introduce Yourself•10 minutes
This module explores the ecological, policy, and social factors surrounding the August 2023 Maui wildfire. Students will compare it to similar wildfires and urban firestorms, and develop a recovery strategy using "Firewise" community practices. The module includes quizzes and case studies to aid in understanding urban firestorm risks and effective recovery methods.
What's included
4 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Welcome to Module 1•2 minutes
- 2023 Maui Fire•6 minutes
- Urban Firestorm•9 minutes
- Firewise Community•6 minutes
9 readings•Total 56 minutes
- The Maui Wildfires Were Massive. These Numbers Help Us Comprehend Them•5 minutes
- How Climate Change Turned Lush Hawaii Into a Tinderbox•5 minutes
- ‘The Lives We Lost’ Tells A Different Story About The People Who Died In Lahaina•5 minutes
- ‘Never Give Up Hope’ Maui Residents Reflect On A Year In The Wildfires’ Aftermath•5 minutes
- The Age of the Urban Inferno Is Here•5 minutes
- ‘Urban fire storm’: suburban sprawl raising risk of destructive wildfires•5 minutes
- Firewise USA Program Toolkit•15 minutes
- Yes, Something Can Be Done About Wildfires•6 minutes
- Maui homeowners can benefit from free wildfire hazard assessments•5 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
- 2023 Maui Fire Quiz•10 minutes
- Urban Firestorms Quiz•10 minutes
- Firewise Community Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Lahaina Recovery and Resilience Strategy •60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
This module examines the impact of transit-oriented development policies on housing, employment, and food security in Washington, DC. Students will analyze access to green spaces and public transit, exploring their role in urban gentrification and developing strategies to mitigate green gentrification. Additionally, the module evaluates the green jobs transition, focusing on new career opportunities and economic growth. Quizzes and case studies support the development of sustainable urban policies.
What's included
4 videos8 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Welcome to Module 2•2 minutes
- Transit-Oriented Development•6 minutes
- Green Gentrification•8 minutes
- Green Jobs Transition•6 minutes
8 readings•Total 110 minutes
- The 30-year rise of transit-oriented development, and its role in creating a resilient region•10 minutes
- To fix transit-oriented development’s displacement problem, use every tool available•15 minutes
- Five key smart growth points from a new report on transit station area development•10 minutes
- Can Cities Combat ‘Green Gentrification’?•15 minutes
- Can Anacostia Build a Bridge Without Displacing Its People?•15 minutes
- When Green Spaces Displace Residents, Our Cities’ Health Suffers•5 minutes
- Creating local good, green jobs in Bogotá•10 minutes
- Why green jobs plans matter and where US cities stand in implementing them•30 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
- Transit-Oriented Development•10 minutes
- Green Gentrification Quiz•10 minutes
- Green Jobs Transition Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Proposal for Washington DC•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
This module investigates Copenhagen's 2030 carbon-neutral goal and its influence on urban infrastructure. Students will evaluate the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bicycle transit in comparison to car dependency. The module also addresses the challenges and prospects of transitioning from carbon to renewable energy and identifies strategies to enhance flood resilience in coastal cities, using Copenhagen as a case study.
What's included
5 videos9 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
5 videos•Total 27 minutes
- Welcome to Module 3•2 minutes
- Climate Action Plan•8 minutes
- Bicycle Infrastructure•4 minutes
- Energy Transition•7 minutes
- Flood Resilience•6 minutes
9 readings•Total 75 minutes
- Copenhagen has a plan: zero carbon by 2025•5 minutes
- Why all cities need a Paris Agreement-compatible climate action plan•10 minutes
- Cycle Superhighways: How we built an inter-municipal network in Denmark•10 minutes
- What makes Copenhagen the world’s most bicycle friendly capital?•10 minutes
- Danish Investors Sketch Idea for $160 Billion Offshore ‘Energy Islands’•5 minutes
- BIG opens Copenhill power plant topped with rooftop ski slope in Copenhagen•5 minutes
- Denmark’s Clean Energy Transition•10 minutes
- Sound of Green: The cloudburst that changed Copenhagen and urban water management•10 minutes
- Inside plans for Copenhagen’s divisive artificial storm-absorbing peninsula•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 40 minutes
- Climate Action Plan Quiz•10 minutes
- Bicycle Infrastructure Quiz•10 minutes
- Energy Transition Quiz•10 minutes
- Flood Resilience Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Copenhagen Climate Best Practices•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
This module delves into Singapore's water management priorities, highlighting the global applicability of its technologies and policies. Students will assess urban agriculture's impact on food security and public health, and explore how circular economy principles promote resource efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth. The module includes case studies and quizzes to facilitate understanding of sustainable practices and resource management.
What's included
4 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 23 minutes
- Welcome to Module 4•2 minutes
- Urban Agriculture•8 minutes
- Water Management•7 minutes
- Circular Economy•7 minutes
9 readings•Total 90 minutes
- Singapore Shows What Serious Urban Farming Looks Like•10 minutes
- Singapore’s Urban Agriculture and City Planning: 7 lessons in Sustainability and Green Innovation from Local Experts•10 minutes
- In water-stressed Singapore, a search for new solutions to keep the taps flowing•10 minutes
- The Singapore Success Story•10 minutes
- Is It Time to Stop Wasting Waste?•5 minutes
- Building a sustainable future in Singapore starts with the circular economy •5 minutes
- Why a circular built environment makes economic and environmental sense•5 minutes
- How to Recycle a 14-Story Office Tower•25 minutes
- Congratulations and Next Steps•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
- Urban Agriculture Quiz•10 minutes
- Water Management Quiz•10 minutes
- Circular Economy Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Circular Economy in Singapore •60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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