Sustainable Cities: Shaping the Urban Future

An engaging mini-series offered by SDGAcademyX

Course Description

"Sustainable Cities: Shaping the Urban Future" delves into the critical challenges and opportunities facing modern urban development. As our world rapidly urbanizes, with projections of 2.5 billion more people living in cities by 2050, this course explores how we can create sustainable, smart, and resilient urban environments to support this unprecedented growth.

This introductory-level course serves as a companion to the full-length "Sustainable Cities" program, offering a concise yet comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, strategies, and technologies shaping the sustainable cities of the 21st century. Led by renowned experts in the field, including Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the course examines the intersection of urbanization, sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

What students will learn

  • The basics of sustainability and its application to urban environments
  • The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to cities
  • Key components and characteristics of sustainable cities
  • The role of various sectors in modern, sustainable urban development
  • Challenges faced by local governments in adapting to new technologies and systems
  • Innovative approaches to urban planning, energy systems, and transportation
  • The importance of creating knowledge hubs and fostering creativity in urban spaces

Who this course is for

  • Newcomers to the concept of sustainable cities or smart cities
  • Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in architecture, real estate development, sustainable development, and related fields
  • Sustainable development practitioners seeking a global perspective on urban sustainability
  • Private-sector professionals in technology, telecommunications, transportation, and energy industries

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to the SDGs

  • Overview of the SDGs and their importance
  • The concept of sustainable living spaces
  • Future projections based on economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability

Module 2: Why Cities? The Importance of SDG 11

  • The creation and significance of SDG 11
  • Current data and future global needs for sustainable cities
  • Impacts of modifying and designing cities for increasing populations

Module 3: The 10-Point Agenda for 21st-Century Cities

  • Pros and cons of advancements in science and technology
  • Detailed discussion of each point in the 10-point agenda for sustainable cities

Module 4: Urban Environment and Energy Systems

  • Climate change and pollution challenges in urban areas
  • Urgency of achieving clean and smart cities
  • Examples of new methods and cutting-edge technologies for sustainable urban development

Module 5: Cities as Hubs of Knowledge

  • Cross-cutting issues in urban sustainability
  • Developing urban settlements into smart, shared spaces
  • Case studies of successful knowledge-fostering initiatives in cities worldwide