You may think of cities as engines of pollution and where excessive consumption of scarce resources takes place; however, cities may also be part of the solution to our environmental problems. This undergraduate course is designed to familiarize the student with the concept of sustainability and how it applies in the context of cities; specifically cities in Europe and Amsterdam in particular. The idea of sustainable cities provides a framework for interdisciplinary planning of contemporary cities. We will explore sustainability and urban design in both a global and local context by focusing on the processes that shape the form and function of the built environment. Technological, social, and cultural innovations for sustainable cities will be demonstrated during the course. Through lectures and field visits in Amsterdam, we will explore the theory and practice of urban sustainability, including the history and philosophy of sustainability, ecological footprints, green buildings, alternative energy, innovative transportation solutions, and waste/water management. This constitutes an effort to build better places that are more livable, more equitable, more energy efficient and ecologically sound, and more prosperous for all.
