Governance for Climate Resilient Cities

This course focuses on both general concepts on sustainable cities and the analysis of specific areas of sustainability. Questions of sustainability are approached from a local and international perspective. Conceptually, the course is based on general theories and models that have been developed in political science, sociology, public policy, and public administration, but it also focuses on specific policies such as urban air pollution and urban climate policy.
The course consists of four topics:
(1) Introduction to the governance of sustainable cities, including an overview on the

• political, economic, and social dynamics that influence the growth and development of cities;
• international and national context of urban sustainability;
• institutionalization of environmental policy and sustainable development at the local level.
  (2) General concepts and debates relevant for the analysis of urban sustainability:
• basic concepts and theories on governance, stakeholder and citizen participation;
• forms of horizontal collaboration such as the cooperation between public and private actors, and the role of transnational city networks;
• forms of vertical collaboration and relation such as between local, national and international institutions.
  (3) Specific issues related to environmental policy in urban environments
• air quality and city climate;
• mechanisms of urban air pollution;
• local climate change policies, including adaptation and mitigation policies.
  (4) Scenarios and alternatives for the city of the future and the development of cities in ways which reduce environmental damage, reduce the natural resources consumed by cities, and improve the citizens' quality of life.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the political, economic, and social dynamics that determine the way cities develop
• Demonstrate understanding of urban climate and air pollution problems, processes and effects on environment and public health
• Identify the major theories and models which contribute to the concept of urban sustainability and its social, economic, and environmental dimensions
• Apply these theories and models to climate and air pollution problems and to specific cities
• Analyze solutions to problems of climate resilience and air pollution in a specific urban context
• Demonstrate understanding as to how policies for climate-resilient cities are formulated and implemented and how governmental and non-governmental actors influence the development of climate resilience strategies at different levels
• Present research results, both orally and in writing

Assumed Knowledge:
Bachelor level knowledge on urban environmental management, environmental sciences and environmental policy.