Length Length

5 videos, accessible at any time

Effort Effort

1-2 hours in total

Price Price

FREE

Languages Languages

English

Video Transcripts Video Transcripts

English

Prerequisites Prerequisites

None

Requirements Requirements

An internet connection to access course materials

THE BASICS OF SUSTAINABILITY
What are the Sustainable Development Goals, and what do cities have to do with them?

THE BASICS OF SUSTAINABILITY
WHAT CONSTITUTES A SUSTAINABLE CITY
How various sectors contribute to modern, sustainable urban development.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A SUSTAINABLE CITY

Overview

This course is self-paced – you can enroll immediately and complete the course materials any time before August 31, 2023.

According to the United Nations, urbanization and population growth could result in an increase of 2.5 billion people into urban populations by 2050, with associated impacts ranging from increased transportation needs to more building. How do we make cities sustainable to support this growth?

In this mini-series, learn the challenges of local governments to adapt to new technologies, energy systems, modes of transportation and more in order to build the sustainable cities of the 21st century.

This mini-series is a companion piece to the SDG Academy's full-length Sustainable Cities course.

structure

  • Pre-recorded lectures
  • Readings
  • Discussion forum
  • Quizzes

Lead Faculty

  • Faculty Image

    Jeffrey Sachs

    Columbia University

This course is for

Anyone new to the concept of sustainable cities or smart cities who wants to understand the foundations of modern urban development

Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in architecture, real estate development, sustainable development, sustainable business and other related fields who want a concise overview of the concept of sustainable cities

Sustainable development practitioners interested in the basics of sustainable development for cities around the world

Private-sector actors, such as those who work in technology, telecommunications, transportation or the energy industry – whose work can contribute to and redefine this space

Questions?

Course logistics and requirements

This course is self-paced. All course components are available now and can be completed at any time that is convenient for the students.

Please note that this course is not facilitated by a course team. We encourage students to engage with one another via the discussion forum. Any specific questions can be sent to the SDG Academy team at courses@sdgacademy.org.

Certificates

Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to purchase a verified certificate signed by the course instructors.

syllabus

1: Introduction to the SDGs

2: Why Cities? The Importance of SDG 11

3: The 10-Point Agenda for 21st-Century Cities

4: Urban Environment and Energy Systems

5: Cities as Hubs of Knowledge