Spring 2020 - URB 645 G100
Urban Sustainable Development (4)
Class Number: 8729
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Tue, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Leanne Roderick
lroderic@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
In this course, we begin to answer the question: what does the idea of sustainable development mean for cities? Using case studies from Vancouver and around the world, we will seek to understand how urban sustainable development innovations are developed, designed, and implemented. Special attention will be paid to the importance of sustainable development linkages between urban issues related to economic development, social justice, and environmental conservation and protection.
COURSE DETAILS:
Sustainable development has become one of the most contested, indispensable, and ubiquitous concepts of the contemporary era. Broadly speaking, it refers to development initiatives that meet the needs of the present generation without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. On a planet with finite resources and a growing population, this is no small charge. This course explores the ethics, politics, promise and paradoxes of sustainable development as it is encountered in, by, and through the city.
In seeking to move beyond policy buzzwords and branding when it comes to sustainability, this course will approach the opportunities and stumbling blocks of urban sustainable development from a conceptual ground based in evolving mainstream and critical social science theory. Topically, special attention will be paid to the ways that sustainable development goals at the urban scale intersect with and inform economic development, social justice, and environmental policy areas. Students enrolled in the Spring 2019 offering of this course will have the incredible opportunity to participate in an innovative four-week workshop organized by SFU Urban Studies postdoctoral researcher Dr. Annika Airas, entitled "Sustainability Beyond Google Translate." This module explores and compares Finnish, Danish, and Coast Salish concepts through lessons, expert guest speakers and visiting Nordic academics, and experiential field trips to local field sites.
Grading
- Regular class participation: attendance, evidence of active reading, discussion participation, discussion questions (submitted prior to class) 20%
- Seminar leadership (group) 15%
- Defining urban sustainability group project 5%
- Sustainable neighbourhood observation 10%
- "Sustainability Beyond Google Translate" - workshop participation 10%
- "Sustainability Beyond Google Translate" - written reflections 10%
- "Sustainability Beyond Google Translate" - final essay 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
James, P., 2014. Urban sustainability in theory and practice: circles of sustainability. Routledge. Available online
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS