Sustainable Cities
Objectives
It is expected that the student acquires the capacity for analysis and a solid understanding of the main challenges, reasons, and consequences of the (in)sustainability of the cities, in their various dimensions and in an integrated and systemic perspective
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At the end of this Curricular Unit, the students will have acquired the knowledge, skills, and competences that allow them: - To understand the sustainability challenges associated with the complex system of cities; both in their various spatial-territorial scales, as well as in the various thematic components of sustainability. The intervening actors and their role in producing cities are also analyzed. Special focus on environmental sustainability, but without neglecting other components of the urban sustainable system. - To know, analyze, and critically discuss case studies of cities (or urban zones) leaders in the best practices in the transition to urban sustainability. - To develop analyses and audits of urban sustainability applying knowledge in real cases in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. - To understand the different spheres of application of paradigms and intervention strategies, which differ from European contexts to other contexts in other regions of the globe. - Understand how the climate crisis affects the sustainability of cities and identify the main human thermal risk factors in a warming city |
General characterization
Code
12649
Credits
3.0
Responsible teacher
André Naghi LOpes dos Santos Nouri, José Carlos Ribeiro Ferreira
Hours
Weekly - 2
Total - 37
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
No special requirements are needed. But knowledge of English is important.
Bibliography
- Cidades Sustentáveis 2020; DGT – MAOTE, Portugal; 2015.
- Cities of Tomorrow; CE, DG Politica Regional; União Europeia, 2011.
- Compact City Policies: OECD, 2012.
- Nova Agenda Urbana – Habitat III; UN, 2016.
- Por Uma Estratégia de Cidade Sustentável; Ed. UN-Habitat + CICS.Nova; 2017.
- Sustainable Communities – The Potential for Eco-Neighborhoods; Ed. Barton, H.; Earthscan; 2000.
- The Sustainable Urban Development; Ed. Wheeler, S.; Routledge, New York, 2004.
- Understanding Urban Ecosystems. Rees, W.; In: A. Berkovitz et al, eds, New York; Springer, 2003
Teaching method
The teaching methodology includes the critical reading of scientific articles, classroom discussions, presentations by the lecturer, practical exercises for consolidating the material, and internet research enabling virtual technical visits to sustainable neighborhoods and cities. These visits are guided by research frameworks and include links to project websites. It also involves viewing motivational and educational videos provided by UN-Habitat and other reference organizations, supervision and guidance of students'' practical work, and opportunities for conducting fieldwork in neighborhoods or urban areas within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Additionally, it includes the modeling of key variables contributing to the urban climate on a street in a studied neighborhood, as well as presentations and discussions of the results.
Evaluation method
The assessment of knowledge is continuous and consists of four main components: an individual assignment, accounting for 10% of the final grade, and a group project, which carries a weight of 80%, divided into four phases submitted throughout the teaching period (35% + 30% + 15%). Additionally, active participation in class, as well as the quality of discussions and exercises conducted during lessons, is valued and contributes 10% to the overall assessment.
To fulfill the attendance requirements, students must attend at least 75% of the theoretical-practical (TP) classes and complete a minimum of three exercises.
Subject matter
Three main components:
1. Build Fundamentals. Concepts, paradigms and components of sustainable cities. Sustainable cities policy, the European Union and the United Nations. ODS with emphasis on Objective 11. Flows, cycles and urban ecology. Urban parameters, densities, mix of functions, urban form and environmental consequences. Factors and actors that shape and produce city. Different spatial scales: building-neighborhood-city-region-global. MRFs - Measure Review Frameworks (human thermal risk factors in a warming city)
2. Case-Studies. Analysis and discussion of concrete cases leading to the transformation to sustainability. Learning about characteristics, objectives, architecture of the project, implementation factors and urban innovation. Cases of Vauban, Hammarby, De Bonne, etc., and cities like Freiburg, Oslo, Curitiba, etc. Creation of a sustainable urban quality benchmark.
3. Hands-on. Practical application of knowledge in urban areas / concrete neighborhoods in Lisbon, making use of the knowledge and quality benchmark acquired through the Case-Studies.