This foundational module provides an opportunity to critically explore the concept of sustainable development in the urban context. It will cover the principals of sustainability and the importance of effective governance in promoting and establishing sustainable cities. There are many aspects of urban change in recent decades that are unprecedented. Urban areas are now home to over half the world’s population, or 4.5 billion people and it is projected that by the end of the century close to 9 billion people or 85% of the global population will be urbanised. This is leading to economic, social and environmental problems for many urban areas. This stems from fundamental changes in the nature of work, the economic crisis and inequalities within the urban population. Problems include hazardous living conditions, traffic congestion and environmental pollution. These problems, combined with the deepening effects of climate change will impact significantly on the environmental quality and liveability of cities/urban areas. Without suitable action to address them, these problems are likely to worsen as the effects of human induced climate change become ever more apparent. Carbon Literacy Training with accreditation provided by the Carbon Literacy Project will also be built into this module. Carbon literacy is an awareness of the carbon burden of our activities. The training is highly linked to the broader goals of this module around sustainability and climate change with a specific focus on reducing carbon emissions and climate justice.

In exploring the complex nature of urbanisation and sustainable development the module with cover the following themes;

Sustainable Development – The UN Sustainable Development Goals and the centrality of urban sustainability in addressing these.

Environmental management challenges and sustainability issues facing urban areas and the factors driving them.

The opportunities that urbanisation presents for sustainable development and the concepts of the sustainable city, the smart city, and the creative city

The role of globalisation and the world's economy in driving urbanisation.

interactions between climate change and urban sustainability.

Poverty and hardship in cities

The complex nature of sustainability issues such as climate change and poverty for urban areas and how these impact on the vulnerability and resilience of urban areas.

The themes of the module will be demonstrated through real-world examples from cities of the global North and South. These case studies will be used to illustrate aspects of climate justice and the complex nature of devising equitable mitigation and adaptation strategies at a local, national, and international level.

The Essay provides a critical review of the role of urban areas / cities in progressing a UN Sustainable Development Goal of their choice (other than SDG 11) at both the local and national levels (Learning outcomes 1 – 5)

The second element is a completed application for certification as carbon literate by the Carbon Literacy Project. In this piece of work students will: (i) summarise what society needs to do to become carbon net zero by 2050, and (ii) identify both an individual action and a group action to reduce carbon emissions that they commit to implementing (Learning outcomes 2 & 3). This will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Formative Assessment: The use of structured learning activities will provide students with the opportunity to discuss ideas introduced in the module learning resources during the virtual class-sessions and/or on discussion forums. Where appropriate this will be supported using worksheets and will enable students to self-evaluate their understanding of the learning materials as the module progresses. Students will also be provided with opportunities to discuss their ideas for the graded assignments as the module progresses.

This module will be delivered through a combination of independent online learning, fortnightly virtual class sessions, and planning, researching, and producing the assessments.

Materials and resources that introduce the main themes and key concepts covered in the module, as well as supporting the development of the key skills required to complete the assessment, will be made available via the VLE. These may be in the form of pre-recorded lectures, a set of directed readings, links to videos and other online resources, appropriate micro-certification or Linked-in learning packages, or a mixture.

The scheduled virtual class sessions will provide students with the opportunity to: (i) debate and further explore the ideas and issues introduced in the learning materials; (ii) discuss how they will use them to address the module assessment; and (iii) receive guidance on completing the assessment.

Students should spend the independent learning hours working through the learning resources and self-instructional materials provided in the VLE, completing preparatory and follow-up activities for the virtual class sessions, and completing the module assessment.

Module Learning Outcome

University Learning Outcome

1. Demonstrate an advanced critical understanding of the concepts and terminology of twenty-first century urbanisation in relation to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals

Knowledge & Understanding, Enquiry, Analysis

2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of climate justice and the politics and policies of urban sustainability.

Knowledge & Understanding, Application

3. Reflect on the role that cities play in terms of climate change as a source of GHG emissions, as areas vulnerable to impacts, and in responding to the climate change challenge

Enquiry, Application, Reflection

4. Critical and applied understanding of the challenges and opportunities that urbanisation presents for sustainable development including considerations of climate justice and equity.

Knowledge & Understanding, Analysis, Application

5. Demonstrate effective communication and learning management skills relating to urbanisation trends and sustainable development

Learning, Enquiry, Communication

Glossop, C. (2020) Liveable Cities: Urbanising World: ISOCARP 07. Routledge.

Nelson, A. (2016) Steering Sustainability in an Urbanising World: Policy, Practice and Performance,.Routledge

Johnson, C., Toly, N., and Schroeder (2015) The Urban Climate Challenge: Rethinking the role of Cities. Routledge

Simon, D. (2016) Rethinking Sustainable Cities: Accessible, Geen and Fair. Policy Press.

Bulkeley, H (2012) Cities and Climate Change. Routledge

Access to: (i) the VLE used for hosting the module learning resources; (ii) the software used to run live virtual classes and meetings; and (iii) relevant eBooks, e-journals, and websites including:

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGS) www.SDGS.uk.org

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) www.IIED.org

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPPCC https://www.ipcc.ch/

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/cities-and-climate-change

The Carbon Literacy Project Organisation - The Carbon Literacy Project

This foundational module provides you with the opportunity to critically explore the concept of sustainable development in the urban context. It will cover the principals of sustainability, introduce the concepts of the sustainable, the smart and the creative city, and explore the importance of effective governance in promoting and establishing sustainable cities. A thematic approach will be taken to your exploration of both the challenges and opportunities that urban sustainability brings, while also considering whether cities can become truly liveable and sustainable places.