The Changing Urban Environment

This course introduces students to the major issues and themes in urban environmentalism. The course integrates urban theory "how we imagine and understand the city" with the contemporary practice of urban environmental design, planning, policy-making, and activism. We examine, through a series of case studies, how the modern city functions as an ecosystem, a network of infrastructure and technology, and a forum for democratic participation. Finally, we explore how these inquiries inform the issue of climate change and policy-oriented efforts to mitigate its negative effects.