Course Syllabus
Smart and Sustainable Cities
|
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2023 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Public Policy, Sustainability, Urban Studies |
| Faculty Members: |
Jonathan Geib, PhD (current students please use the Canvas Inbox to contact) |
| Program Contact: |
Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD |
| Academic Support: | |
| Time & Place: |
Monday, 11:40–14:35, Room: 1D-508 |
Course Description
In a rapidly urbanizing world, cities need to urgently find smarter ways to reduce their ecological footprint and better respond to citizen needs. The practical work of smart sustainable cities thus covers a wide range of study and work fields. This is an introductory course providing a unique opportunity for students to grasp the multidimensional praxis of smart sustainable cities in Europe. To introduce the concepts we will often focus on the City of Stockholm, which was awarded the World Smart City prize in November 2019. This is a starting point for students to understand existing and needed practices around the world by comparing and contrasting. Euronews video about the smart sustainable work in Stockholm can be viewed here:
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course the student should:
- have exercised critical thinking about the creation and implementation of smart sustainable cities
- be able to comprehend underlying concepts and identify stakeholders, dimensions (individual and societal, economic, environmental, political), and phases of the implementation of smart solutions
- be able to analyze the problems and tensions related to the existence of a smart sustainable city
- be able to identify and understand how innovation and artificial intelligence can be integrated in an effort to accomplish sustainability and efficiency of a city
- have practical insight in creating citizen value through data driven innovations
- be able to make the leap from creating awareness into creating real transformation
- demonstrate possible risks, advantages and other critical aspects of smart sustainable cities
Faculty
Jonathan Geib, PhD
PhD (Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 2020) on complexities of engagement with urban participatory processes involving public sector institutions and art and design practitioners. MSc (KU Leuven, 2013) in Urbanism and Strategic Planning. MSc (KU Leuven, 2010) in Human Settlements. BSc (University of Texas at Austin, 2002) in Architecture. Currently a Research Fellow at the International Youth Think Tank (Gothenburg, 2020–present) and teaching the DIS courses Design Thinking and Smart & Sustainable Cities. Motivated by pluralistic approaches to research and design practice, criticality, and creativity. With DIS since 2021.
Readings
Metzger, J. & Olsson, A.R. (eds.) (2013). Sustainable Stockholm: Exploring Urban Sustainability in Europe's Greenest City. Routledge. (excerpts)
European Commission (2016). The role of citizens in SCC solutions.
D’Auria (2018). Modern Conceptions of Cities as Smart and Sustainable and Their Commonalities.
Calzada (2018). (Smart) Citizens from Data Providers to Decision-Makers? The Case Study of Barcelona.
Further readings/material will be assigned in connection with each respective class.
Field Studies
Field studies are visits or workshops lasting half a day. The course’s two field studies are typically made in Stockholm and are both visits to places where smart city technology has been implemented and/or visiting people involved in implementing smart city projects.
Guest Lecturers
The guest lecturers are presented during classes.
Expectations of Students
Although the course is structured around concrete, technical examples and case studies, ‘smart’ and ‘sustainable’ are highly-contested concepts (not to mention ‘the city’ both as a contested concept and as a space of contestation), and therefore students need to be prepared to actively discuss, reflect, and question their own and others’ perspectives in an open, empathetic manner and spirit of shared inquiry—creative, critical, and constructive. Students should seek to develop their discussion and dialogue skills throughout the course:
- Developing listening skills
- Being open to others' ideas and ways of thinking
- Promoting an environment where everyone feels free to express and develop their thoughts, ideas, and experiences
- Sharing and developing your own thoughts, ideas, and experiences to contribute to the learning environment
There will be about three hours of class time each week and you are expected to work a minimum of six hours per week outside of class (including time spent on assignments, in group work, and on field studies).
- You should participate actively in all class activities. Remember to be on time!
- Readings must be done prior to the class session. A considerable part of the class depends on class discussions.
- Laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices may be used in the classroom if relevant and not disturbing to the task at hand, whether note-taking, fact-checking, reading discussions, assignments, or group work. Practice proper digital etiquette by silencing notifications, etc.
- Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others, and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
Approach to Teaching
Readings, explorations, and student presentations are the foundation for active class discussion. Assigned texts, videos, and other materials must therefore be studied before class. In the course we will use many different learning methods: traditional lectures, discussions, group work, workshops, individual reflections, guest lectures, and field studies. Our primary approach is to build broad conceptual and critical understanding through engaging with examples from practice.
Names and Pronouns: Students should be referred to by the name and gender pronouns they prefer by the teacher of this course and other students. As a teacher, I will gladly honor your request to address you by the name you prefer and pronouns that correspond to your gender identity. We will introduce ourselves to each other with the names and pronouns we prefer when we meet the first day of class.
Disability Access: If you need accommodations related to disability, please let me know as soon as possible so that your learning needs can be appropriately met.
Evaluation
Active Engagement: Your attendance and active participation in class activities, including reading discussions, Field Studies, and assignments shared and/or presented in class. You are expected to bring your reading notes and questions to class, along with the assigned readings/material. Your active engagement grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for every unexcused absence.
Individual Assignments: Assignments include or combine research and documentation, analysis, personal and critical reflection, creative proposition, and communication and presentation to colleagues.
Group Project (team*): Includes four components: 1) Collaboration - focus on the process of group work, including how the group worked together while navigating and managing internal and external group dynamics; 2) Communication - how the group communicates throughout the process and in its outputs; 3) Documentation - how the group documents their process and proposal in written and visual form, and; 4) Engagement - how the group's exhibition engages visitors to the DIS Festival with visitors' experience and active participation in mind. *Note that individual grades on team projects may still be applied.
Grading
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Active Engagement |
30% |
| Individual Assignments |
40% |
|
Group Project (team*) |
30% |
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all assigned work must be completed. You are expected to turn in all assignments by the due date. If an assignment is turned in after the due date, your assignment grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each day the submission is late.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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