Dr Rachael Unsworth
Objectives
This course examines the human and environmental impacts of resource consumption in urban areas and critically assesses the attempts that are being made to develop cities in ways which reduce environmental damage and improve quality of life both now and in the long term.
On completion of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand and critically assess the concept of “urban sustainability” – social, economic and environmental dimensions.
- Understand the main problems facing urban areas in different parts of the world.
- Understand how urban environments are assessed, how policies are formulated and implemented at different levels; the barriers to progress.
- Evaluate the effects of sustainability policies.
- Critically assess the various approaches taken by writers, researchers, NGOs, government bodies, commercial organisations and others working on urban environmental issues.
Outline syllabus:
- The concept of “urban sustainability”
- Urbanisation and the environment
- Nature and effects of pollution; transport and the environment
- Sustainability indicators; problems of policy formulation
- International and national policies; instruments for change
- Local policies; Local Agenda 21 and community planning
- Reading week
- Case studies from developed and developing countries
- Policy impacts – evaluation of progress towards urban sustainability
- Group presentations based on assessed essay
- Group presentations based on assessed essay
Resources
Lecture materials
Form of teaching:
8 x 2 hour lectures (to include some discussions and exercises)
2 x 2 hour presentation sessions.
Form and timing of assessment:
A 2000 word essay on environmental problems and policies in a major city – to be submitted by Monday of Week 11.
A 2 hour examination – answer 2 questions from a choice of 5.
60% examination; 30% assessed essay; 10% presentation.