The module examines the challenges of resource use and management within the context of an urbanising world, exploring how new concepts within the smart and sustainable city agenda may contribute to addressing these challenges. The module begins by considering contemporary patterns of resource use created by cities in the contemporary world at a variety of scales from the local to the global. The ecosystem services approach and urban metabolism analysis as ways to understand the relationship between human activities and the natural environment, and better appreciate how urban areas function in relation to natural resource management, are examined in terms of their contribution to developing the smart and sustainable city agenda. The module continues by exploring a selection of key natural resources challenges (e.g. water, waste, energy, air quality and climate) and the different approaches and strategies that can be used for their more sustainable management development, including the role of integrated environmental systems and a consideration of the governance structures within which these approaches can be implemented. Reference will be made to examples and case studies throughout the module.

A 3000 word report critically reviewing how natural resources management and smart and sustainable strategies can be used to address the challenge of a natural resource issue in a city the student is familiar with (Learning Outcomes 1-5)

The module will run over 12 weeks. Over this period, you will work through weekly self-instructional material (a mixture of text and video based materials and web resources) provided via the VLE. These materials will provide a structured programme of specific readings and learning activities that you will be asked to complete, involving reading and critically engaging with key texts, papers and other information sources to help you prepare for, and follow-up, the class-sessions and develop ideas for your assessment. There will be regular class-sessions during which you will be expected to interact with other students and your tutor to discuss the weekly topics and their associated learning activities.

DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF KEY CONCEPTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES BY URBAN AREAS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES

DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES RESULTING FROM NATURAL RESOURCE USE BY URBAN AREAS AND THE VARIETY OF INITIATIVES AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR ADDRESSING THESES ISSUES AND CHALLENGES WITHIN SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES.

DEMONSTRATE, FOR A VARIETY OF URBAN AREAS, KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR CONTRASTING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AND THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAVE INCORPORATED USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES INTO THEIR URBAN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.

DEMONSTRATE AN ADVANCED ABILITY TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE APPROACHES FOR SMARTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN URBAN AREAS.

¿DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVE INTELLECTUAL, COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING MANAGEMENT SKILLS RELATING TO MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES.

Access to the University VLE and to the library resources.

Arcidiacono, A., Ronchi, S., (2021) Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure. Perspectives from Spatial Planning in Italy. Springer: pp239.

Benton-Short, L. and Short, J. (2013) 2nd Edition: Cities and Nature. Routledge

Breuste, J., Artmann, M., Ioja, C., Quereshi, S. (2020) Making Green Cities: Concepts, Challenges and Practice. Springer, pp532.

Douglas, I. & James, P. (2015) Urban Ecology: An Introduction. Routledge

Ferrão, P. and Fernández (2013) Sustainable Urban Metabolism. MIT Press (ebook edition)

Hoornweg, Daniel; Freire, Mila. (2013) Building Sustainability in an Urbanizing World: a partnership report. (2 vols.) Urban Development Series: Knowledge Papers no. 17. World Bank. (ebook edition)

Suzuki, H. et al., (2012) Eco2 Cities. Ecological Cities as Economic Cities. World Bank. (ebook edition)