EMP 330 : Sustainable Cities

More than half of the world’s 7 billion people live in cities. Urban societies need to find ways to reduce their negative environmental impacts on the Earth’s eco-system. This course focuses on the analysis of urban development patterns in North America and Europe. Students will learn how to create and plan for human settlements that are less carbon-intensive, more ecologically responsible, and more socially sound. Via a variety of case studies, students will be introduced to sustainability concepts such as ecological urbanism, green building certification (LEED), smart growth, transit-oriented development and suburban retrofitting.