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Course 2022-2023 a.y.

20822 - DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE CITIES

TS
Cross-institutional study L. Bocconi - Politecnico Milano

Course taught in English


TS (6 credits - II sem. - OB  |  3 credits ICAR/18  |  3 credits ICAR/21)
Course Director:
GRAZIA CONCILIO



Conoscenze pregresse consigliate

International culture, open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity. Probably these are fundamental requirements for any specialisation course at Bocconi or Politecnico. In addition, we are looking for students interested in the complexity of urban systems as socio-technical environments that represent one of the most promising stages for sustainabilit


Mission e Programma sintetico
MISSION

Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities, generating more than 80% of global GDP. Cities are the main focus of the course; we will concentrate on numerous and different “ingredients” shaping cities’ competitiveness and sustainability over time. The course firstly goes into the depths of how competitiveness is linked with sustainability. Secondly, it aims to understand the economic rationale, social and environmental implications, and policy challenges of designing sustainable cities globally.

PROGRAMMA SINTETICO

The course “Designing Sustainable Cities” is divided into two parts (Modules) of 3 credits each.

The first Module, taught by Prof. Alberto Bramanti (Bocconi University), touches on four fundamental points that articulate the theme of urban competitiveness.

The second Module, taught by Prof. Grazia Concilio (Politecnico di Milano), touches on the articulations of urban sustainability challenges and perspectives of sustainability transition, opportunities offered by technological solutions, and new approaches to urban design.

 

First Module—The Module will be structured across four blocks.

  • In the first block, we start from this focus on urban competitiveness and the new challenges they face globally.
  • In the second block, we address the economic consequences of an ageing population, which can also positively impact urban competitiveness by building cities that are also senior-friendly.
  • The third block of ideas relates to the creativity and urban innovation issue.
  • The last and fourth block of the course’s first module is devoted to a more technical and instrumental issue: composite indicators (CIs).

 

Second Module—The Module will be structured across four blocks.

  • The first block explores the multifaceted sustainability challenges cities are, from one side, charged with as key responsible creators and contributors.
  • The second block explores the urban contexts as a field of action of urban planning and design within the current global perspective of sustainability transition.
  • The third block aims to familiarise with the concept of urban smartness referred to by many cities to re-imagine themselves while developing Smart City Agendas.
  • The last and fourth block analyses urban design approaches addressing sustainability challenges

Risultati di Apprendimento Attesi (RAA)
CONOSCENZA E COMPRENSIONE
Al termine dell'insegnamento, lo studente sarà in grado di...

Graduates will acquire fundamental advanced knowledge related to: (i) the analysis of urban competitiveness at different spatial scales and always with a view to medium-to long-term sustainability; (ii) the designing city planning solutions, with attention to the multifaceted aspects of buildings, infrastructures, and social systems, always with proper consideration for social, economic, and environmental impacts. According to state of the art, a specific technicality related to “composite indicators” will be offered to understand the international ranking and sustainability comparison among cities.

CAPACITA' DI APPLICARE CONOSCENZA E COMPRENSIONE
Al termine dell'insegnamento, lo studente sarà in grado di...

graduates will better understand the role of cities in global sustainability transitions and the leading social, environmental and economic challenges that cities face as the main drivers of sustainable urban development. They will know how to manage urban competitiveness in a global world and how to design sustainable cities and urban planning solutions, leveraging new technologies and models.


Modalità didattiche
  • Lezioni frontali
  • Testimonianze (in aula o a distanza)
  • Analisi casi studio / Incidents guidati (tradizionali, multimediali)
  • Lavori/Assignment individuali
  • Lavori/Assignment di gruppo
DETTAGLI

Guest speaker's talks in class: Insider witnesses and experts will elaborate on some specific points by offering examples of exciting case studies.

Case studies /Incidents (traditional incidents)

Individual assignments: Write short pieces on a specific topic [3,000 words], or answer open-ended questions [300-500 words].

Group assignments (presentation): Groups of 3 to 5 students, self-organised and independently scheduled by students, will produce a 10' presentation [a set of PowerPoint slides] and a 3-4 pages report to be presented in class toward the end of the module and submitted before the exam.


Metodi di valutazione dell'apprendimento
  Accertamento in itinere Prove parziali Prova generale
  • Prova individuale scritta (tradizionale/online)
  •   x x
  • Assignment di gruppo (relazione, esercizio, dimostrazione, progetto etc.)
  • x    
  • Partecipazione in aula (virtuale, fisica)
  • x    
    STUDENTI FREQUENTANTI

    To measure the acquisition of the ILOs mentioned above, the student assessment is based on three main components:

    • In-class discussion and participation aimed at testing the student’s ability to interact in a multicultural environment and to think critically through contributions given to the class discussions;
    • Small group (or individual) assignment designed to verify the student’s ability to: (i) identify and analyse the main issues of the developed arguments, (ii) connect the literature’s material with methodologies learnt in class, (iii) suggest recommendations for policymaking. The deliverable consists of a written paper of around 6,000 words;
    • Partial written exam (50% of the final grade), based on multiple choices and open questions on the relevant program, aims to assess the student’s learning level of the main concepts, methods and tools detailed in the teaching material.
    STUDENTI NON FREQUENTANTI

    To measure the acquisition of the ILOs mentioned above, the student assessment is based on three main components:

    • In-class discussion and participation aimed at testing the student’s ability to interact in a multicultural environment and to think critically through contributions given to the class discussions;
    • Small group (or individual) assignment designed to verify the student’s ability to: (i) identify and analyse the main issues of the developed arguments, (ii) connect the literature’s material with methodologies learnt in class, (iii) suggest recommendations for policymaking. The deliverable consists of a written paper of around 6,000 words;
    • Partial written exam (50% of the final grade), based on multiple choices and open questions on the relevant program, aims to assess the student’s learning level of the main concepts, methods and tools detailed in the teaching material.

    Materiali didattici
    STUDENTI FREQUENTANTI E NON FREQUENTANTI

    The first Module [Prof. Bramanti], will touch on four subjects. Each of them will have one (or more) chapters from the following primary reference list.
    The precise selection will be communicated before the starting of the Course (II Semester).

    Some teaching notes could complement the reading list.

     

    • Kresl, P.K. and Ietri, D. (2015), Urban Competitiveness. Theory and Practice. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, London.
    • Kresl, P.K. and Ietri, D. (2010), The Aging Population and the Competitiveness of Cities. Benefits to the Urban Economy. Edward Elgar, Cheltenhan, UK.
    • Yigitcanlar, T., Metaxiotis, K. and Carillo, F.J. (2012), edited by, Building Prosperous Knowledge Cities. Policies, Plans and Metrics. Edward Elgar, Cheltenhan, UK.
    • OECD and JRC (2008), Handbook on Composite Indicators. Methodology and User Guide. OECD, Paris and JRC, European Commission, Brussels.

     

    The second Module [Prof. Concilio], will touch on four subjects. Each of them will have one (or more) chapters from the following primary reference list. The precise selection will be communicated before the starting of the Course (II Semester). Some teaching notes could complement the reading list.

    • Williams B. (2021) Circular Cities. A Revolution in Urban Sustainability, Routledge, London.
    • Frantzeskaki N., Castán Broto V., Coenen L. and Loorbach D. Eds (2017) Urban Sustainability Transitions, Routledge.
    • Kattel R, Mazzucato M. (2018) Mission-oriented innovation policy and dynamic capabilities in the public sector, Industrial and Corporate Change, 27(5), 787-801.
    • Concilio G., Rizzo F. eds. (2016) Human Smart Cities. Rethinking the Interplay between Design and Planning, Springer, Dordrecht].
    • Farr D. (2008) Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature, John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York.
    • Whittle N. (2021) The 15-Minute City: Global Change Through Local Living, Luath Press Ltd, Edinburgh
    Modificato il 16/06/2022 10:46