SUST914
Integrating Social Dimensions into Sustainability
Sustainability has three dimensions: economic, ecological, and social. While social justice movements and social planning efforts are numerous and effective in their own sphere, they’re often not integrated well with sustainability initiatives. This is because social issues are more subjective and involve addressing the fair allocation of benefits and costs between different people, groups, communities, and nations.
Failing to address social issues such as race, ethnicity, class, culture, personal health, affordable housing, employment, individual identity, and social cohesion can derail projects with the best environmental intentions.
In this course, we’ll talk about sustainability not as a product, but as a process where issues of social justice and equity are essential to successful outcomes.
This course is available as part of the Sustainable Community Development Certificate (core course) and on an individual basis.
| 3Section | Sessions | Dates | Time | Campus | Instructor(s) | Cost* | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUST914-VA1131 | 2 - Fri–Sat | Mar 8–19, 2013 | 9 am–5:30 pm | Van | See below | $630 | Register |
Instructors/Speakers
Kristi Mader, public policy consultant, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks (PLAN)
Brian Smith, social finance and affordable housing consultant
Guest speakers include the following:
Jim Bailey, City of Vancouver
Tom Lancaster, District of North Vancouver
Shaugn Schwartz, The Cleaning Solution
Andrew Pask, City of Vancouver and Vancouver Public Spaces Network
David Isaac, Raincity Strategies
Lisa Gibson, Living in Community Initiative
Kevin Millsip, coordinator of sustainability, Vancouver School Board
What will I learn?
In this course, you’ll do the following:
- Describe social justice and equity issues related to sustainable community development (e.g., climate justice, food security, complete communities, intercultural inclusions, etc.)
- Learn strategies to integrate “soft” issues of social justice and equity when tackling “hard” environmental issues such as transportation choice, land use, air quality, and resource and energy conservation
- Discover win‑win solutions that bridge social and environmental goals
- Analyze case studies that demonstrate how to successfully address the social dimensions of sustainability
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Case studies
- Small group discussions and exercises
- Group presentations
- Assignments
Who should take this course?
- Planners, architects, and landscape architects
- Engineers, developers, builders, and real-estate professionals
- Elected officials
- Transportation professionals
- Staff of non-profit organizations
- Biologists, agrologists, and other environmental professionals
- Local, provincial, and federal government administrators and project managers
- Lawyers, financiers, and community advocates
- Current and future leaders committed to creating positive change
How will I be evaluated?
Your grade will be based on a take-home assignment.
Textbooks and learning materials
We will provide custom course materials.
Professional development credits
- AIBC 14 NCLU
- PIBC and BCSLA can self-report
Partners/Sponsors
SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development