17902 Sustainable Urban Development

Description

This subject provides an introduction to sustainable development and discusses the triple bottom line concept of environmental, economic and social sustainability in urban design and development. Sustainable practices are discussed and demonstrated using national and international case studies. Students also learn about the concept of urban resilience and explore the sustainability challenges faced by global cities. The causes and urban effects of climate change are analysed and discussed in the context of greenhouse gas emissions (and reduction), energy consumption (and alternative energy development strategies), air quality and population growth challenges, economic planning for resilience, as well the social sustainability implications related to equity and inequity. Finally, the topic of urban ecology, its principles, applications and role, is discussed, providing students with the foundational knowledge of the ecology “of” cities to be applied in following subjects.