SUST910

Foundation in Sustainable Community Development

This sustainability course sets the stage for other offerings in the Sustainable Community Development Certificate. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with other sustainability leaders and professionals and gain insights that will help address pressing sustainability challenges in your community.

Learn about sustainable community development, what it means, and several key concepts. You’ll explore the range of sustainability issues facing communities as well as some of the solutions. You’ll also compare sustainability frameworks and approaches, and find out what leadership styles and tools are necessary to effect change.

This course is available as part of the Sustainable Community Development Certificate (core course) and on an individual basis.

Section

Sessions Dates Time Campus Instructor(s) Cost Registration
SUST910-VA1127 3 - Thu–Sat Sep 13–15, 2012
9 am–5:30 pm Van Vanessa Timmer, principal,
Resourceful Solutions Consulting
Guest speakers
$930 Register

What will I learn?

In this course, you’ll do the following:

  • Describe characteristics and principles of sustainable community development
  • Compare and analyze sustainability frameworks
  • Understand the elements of a sustainable community such as infrastructure, land use, food, zero waste, green building, energy, and transportation
  • List skills and capacities of effective sustainability leaders
  • Apply a systems approach to exploring global and local sustainability issues
  • Articulate challenges in implementing best practices in sustainability

Download a sample course agenda (pdf).

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  take-home assignment.

Textbooks and learning materials

We will provide custom course materials and a copy of Seven Rules of Sustainable Communities by Patrick Condon.

Professional development credits

  • AIBC 21 NCLU
  • PIBC and BCSLA can self-report

Partners/Sponsors

SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development