When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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
Show info about module content
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
Case Study 1: Wildfire and Firewise Community in Lahaina, Maui
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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
Case Study 2: Development and Gentrification in Washington, D.C.
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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
Case Study 3: Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Copenhagen, Denmark
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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
Case Study 4: Urban Agriculture and Circular Economy in Singapore
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
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
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
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
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
OK
Explore more from Environmental Science and Sustainability
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.