This course takes a critical historical and theoretical perspective on the place of sustainability in urban design. The course will investigate how urban design and related professions such as landscape architecture, urban planning, and architecture have been shaped by environmental, economic, social, ethical, and political concerns. In addition, we will have the chance to reflect on the role and place of ideas in practice and instrumental concerns. The course aims to introduce students to key approaches to thinking about urban design and the forces that have shaped the field, both historical and contemporary. We will address questions such as, What are the characteristics that make a city “sustainable”? How have urban designers and those in related professions approached questions about sustainability, environment, and justice? Who are the envisioned inhabitants of these spaces? What are the ethical implications of this work? The course will be a combination of short lectures, writing assignments, and discussions on reading to enable students to develop research, writing, and discussion skills.
The course is divided into four parts. The first introduces key frameworks, big ideas, and historical overviews of urban design, sustainability, and related concepts. The second part emphasizes historical perspectives in relationship to present day concerns. The third part hones in on outlooks on issues such as race, class, nationalism, and gender in relationship to sustainable urban design in the present and future prospects. The final part will center on student projects and reflect about the role of urban designers and those in related fields. Throughout we will discuss issues centered on specific urban locations as well as more theoretical or abstract ways of thinking about urbanity.
- Teacher: Pollyanna Rhee