4.8
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121 ratings

Flemming Konradsen +12 more instructors

3,379 already enrolled

Offered By

University of Copenhagen

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

University of Coimbra

EIT Health

Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

University of Copenhagen

About this Course

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More than half of world’s population lives in cities while only 5% did so in the 18th century. The rapid urbanisation has resulted in for example inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and growing numbers of slum dwellers. All factors challenging health and wellbeing of the people living in the cities. In addition, when addressing climate change it has become of paramount importance to look at mitigation and adaptation investments tailored to the urban context. 
As stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 11 adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, societies need to be at the forefront in the continuous management and design of urban spaces to secure that cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

In this course, you will learn about the key determinants of urban health including demography, climate change, air pollution, noise, transport systems, public and blue and green spaces, and policies and investments affecting sense of community and public safety. You will get a historical overview of the major trends in urban planning and meet a range of stakeholders in urban planning who will provide examples of innovative methods and people-centered approaches to create sustainable solutions. 

Finally, you will be provided with a series of resources to inspire you to help create awareness and action around an idea or sustainable solution in the field of urbanisation and health.

The course has been developed (with support from EIT Health) in a partnership between the University of Copenhagen,  Universidad Politécnica de Madrid  and University of Coimbra. 

Researchers and stakeholders in urban planning will introduce you to cases from cities in Denmark, Spain, Portugal and many other urban settings across the world. 

The aim of the course is to further interdisciplinary knowledge on urbanisation and health. We plan for the courses to reach citizens and activists as well planners, practitioners and decision-makers with a professional interest in sustainable urban planning from countries around the world.

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Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.58/5 (52 Ratings)

Offered by

University of Copenhagen

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is the oldest and largest Spanish technical university, with more than 4.000 faculty members, 38.000 undergraduate students and 6.000 postgraduates in 21 Schools which cover most of engineering disciplines. More than 2,400 researchers carry out their activity at the UPM, grouped in 204 Research Groups, 19 Research Centers and 55 Laboratories. The intense collaboration with governmental bodies and industry guarantees that research at the UPM offers real solutions to real-world problems. Recently, European Commission has approved the EELISA (European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance) lead by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in collaboration with other universities across Europe in order to reinforce the committment of European Universities towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the current social challenges of XXI century.

University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and constitutes a reference in higher education and R&I in Portugal, with academic reputation recognized worldwide. It includes eight faculties and over 30 research units, covering almost all study fields (Engineering, Technology, Life and Health Sciences, Architecture, Economy, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Psychology, Pharmacy and Sports) as well as several bodies devoted to interdisciplinary research, arts and culture. UC offers advanced training programs in different areas that bind to technology, being considered by EC as one of the 20 most inspiring cases in Europe. Knowledge and technology transfer is at its core, resulting in successful initiatives, like IPN Incubator, TECBis- Business accelerator unit and Biocant, and in the creation of more than 200 spin-offs, most of them health-related.

EIT Health

EIT Health is a vast, vibrant community of world-leading health innovators backed by the European Union. Working across borders, our network connects approximately 150 world-class partner organizations, as well as entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs from the worlds of business, research, education, and healthcare delivery. Our ambition is to enable people in Europe to live longer, healthier lives by transforming businesses and delivering new products and services that can progress healthcare in Europe and strengthen our economy.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(1,816 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

5 hours to complete

How Urbanisation, Health and Urban Planning Relate

This module will provide you with an overview of the key determinants of urban health. We will take you on a journey mainly through the European history of urbanisation and urban planning to reflect on the way health concerns and wellbeing have been considered and how general trends here have influenced the design of cities all across the world. Finally, we will dive into the causes and effects of air pollution and noise, two of the major health hazards in today’s urban settings. We hope the readings and resources will inspire you to begin exploring your own urban setting in terms of e.g. density and different kinds of pollution.

5 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 61 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Welcome to the course2m 1.1 Determinants of Urban Health11m1.2 Changing Values of Urban Planning through History14m1.3 How Air Pollution Impacts Health17m1.4 Noise and Sound14m

6 readings

1.1 Mandatory reading and resources25m1.1 Optional Reading and Resources1.2 Optional Reading and Resources1.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources30m1.3 Optional Reading and Resources1.4 Mandatory Reading and Resources10m

4 practice exercises

1.130m1.230m1.330m1.430m

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Ageing and Gentrification

The world population is undergoing major changes. The share of urban population is increasing, as does that of people aged 65 or over. In this module we will focus on the concept of ageing across the lifecycle, and on how different features of urban environment influence health and the ageing process. Furthermore, we will explore the phenomenon of gentrification and its impact on health in different segments of our populations. In the reading and resources section you will find shortcuts to databases and cases from different cities.

6 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 32 min), 6 readings, 3 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

7 hours to complete

Nature-based Solutions

On many different levels evidence confirm how crucial the integration of elements of nature in the urban design is to sustain physical as well as mental health. In this module you will be introduced to blue and green planning as an instrument to promote health and mitigate and adapt to climate changes. We will look at the benefits of green space and small-scale urban farming from a community and health perspective. You will also meet examples of how new ways of designing public space motivates citizens to lead a daily physically active and healthy life. In the readings and resource section you will find more in depth material on nature based solutions and effects on climate change.

7 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 44 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes

4 videos

3.1 How Blue and Green Infrastructure Promote Human Health 14m3.2 Climate Change and Health11m3.3 Urban Farming11m3.4 Physical Activity in an Urban Environment6m

7 readings

3.1 Mandatory Reading and Resources33m3.1 Optional Reading and Resources 3.2 Mandatory Reading and Resources1h 45m3.2 Optional Reading and Resources3.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources1h3.3 Optional Reading and Resources3.4 Mandatory Reading and Resources45m

4 practice exercises

3.130m3.230m3.330m3.430m

Week4

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Innovative Solutions

How can we align urban planning with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? In an urban context, how can we bend the curve of obesity? How can we reduce mortality and disease associated with the layout of the urban space and namely the way we design our transport systems? In this module you will meet stakeholders who are globally engaged in the development and implementation of sustainable approaches to resolve some of the major health related challenges that cities are facing globally. Further, you will get access to tools and frameworks for your own use

4 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 43 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes

3 videos

4.1 Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals through Urban Planning and Design11m4.2 Assessing the Impacts of Urban and Transport Planning on Health14m4.3 Bending the Curve of Urban Diabetes16m

5 readings

4.1 Mandatory Reading and Resources30m4.1 Optional Reading and Resources4.2 Mandatory Reading and Resources46m4.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources15m4.3 Optional Reading and Resources

3 practice exercises

4.130m4.230m4.330m

Reviews

4.8

31 reviews

5 stars
82.92%
4 stars
14.63%
3 stars
1.62%
1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM URBANISATION AND HEALTH - PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

by MKDec 4, 2021

Wonderful course to be learnt, u will have an exposure of factors effecting health and its dynamics of sustainability.

by JISep 1, 2022

Great Course. The knowledge gained from this course will help me further research to improve the health situation in Nigeria.

by IIMay 6, 2022

Very instilling. good lecturing skills, vast knowledge . i just loved . Practical approaches and well structured questions and dicussions

by NHJul 7, 2022

The course was excellent, added a lot of information to my previous knowledge. I thank all the professors and producers of this course.

View all reviews

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When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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.

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Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

About this Course

Instructors

Flemming Konradsen

Elisa Pozo Menéndez

Dirk Lund Christensen

Ester Higueras

Gertrud Jorgensen

Tom Cole-Hunter

Cristina Gallego Gamazo

Carlos Verdaguer

Miguel Padeiro

Zorana Jovanovic Andersen

Angela Freitas

Miguel Núñez

Maria Cristina Garcia Gonzalez