Cities are back in town : urban sociology for a globalizing urban world
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Course Summary
This course provides an introduction to urban development and planning, exploring the challenges and opportunities of creating sustainable cities. Students will learn about the history of urban development and the key players involved in shaping our cities today.Key Learning Points
- Understand the history of urban development and its impact on modern cities
- Explore the challenges and opportunities of creating sustainable urban environments
- Learn about key players in urban development and planning
- Develop skills in urban design and planning
- Gain knowledge of current trends and issues in urban development
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a deeper understanding of urban development and planning
- Gain skills in urban design and planning
- Learn about current trends and issues in urban development
- Explore the challenges and opportunities of creating sustainable urban environments
- Understand the role of key players in shaping our cities today
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- No prior knowledge or experience required
- Basic understanding of urban environments and city planning helpful
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
- Assignments
- Quizzes
Similar Courses
- Sustainable Cities
- Designing Cities
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Transportation Consultant
- Urban Theorist
Related Books
Description
Urbanization is reaching a new peak in the contemporary world with the rise of mega cities. Researchers try to make sense of these large urban areas using a variety of concepts. The class will review debates and present social science models of cities to analyse and compare contemporary developments.
Outline
- Week 1 – Introduction
- Welcome to the new urban world
- Ancient cities
- Words to qualify cities and the urban world
- A world of cities or a generalised urban world ?
- Definitions
- Models and urban sociology
- Urbanisation processes
- References
- Week 2 – European City
- Introduction to European city
- Municipal revolution and the fragile political autonomy
- The weberian model of the « Occidental city »
- Neo weberian model part 1
- Neo weberian model part 2
- The Los Angeles case study
- Historical emergence of european cities
- The urban bourgeoisie
- The Venice Case study
- Municipal revolution and the fragile political autonomy v2
- How useful is the European city model
- References
- Week 3 – Colonial City
- Imposing a universal European framework or looking for alternatives ?
- Inequality, segregation and the colonial political order part 1
- Inequality, segregation and the colonial political order part 2
- Features of colonial cities
- Legacy of colonisation, post colonial cities ? v1
- Colonial empires and the making of colonial cities
- Do colonisers need cities ?
- A model of colonial cities ?
- Legacy of colonisation, post colonial cities ? v2
- References
- Week 4 – Industrial City
- Industrial urbanisation and urban change
- Two waves of industrialization
- The making of the industrial city as a social structure
- Methods and variables of the marxist industrial agglomeration model
- The Industrial revolution and the emergence of the industrial cities/urban regions
- The conditions of the working class: exploitation, poverty, inequalities
- The physical infrastructure of the industrial metropolis
- Industrial cities beyond Europe, Chicago takes the lead
- A marxist interpretation of the industrial city
- Industrial cities after the West and the industrial city model
- References
- Week 5 – Metropolis
- centers of experiment for modern social life
- European capitals of the great nation states of the 19th century turn into metropolis
- Metropolis in the south
- The human ecology of cities and the US coming of age of urban sociology
- Competition and the development of the metropolis
- New York, the American metropolis
- Buenos Aires
- Metropolis and the urban way of life
- "The City" by Louis Wirth
- The segregated metropolis, race and class, measures and cultural making of boundaries part 1
- The segregated metropolis, race and class, measures and cultural making of boundaries part 2
- References
- Week 6 – Global City
- a globalising urban capitalist world
- Globalization
- Big cities with advanced economic functions ?
- Conclusion Global city
- The rise of mega cities
- The financiarisation of the city, real estates, utilities
- A model of the urbanization of capital
- Scott and Storper and the new economic geography
- Cities of flows and nodes of networks
- Unequal City
- References
- Week 7 – Post Metropolis
- Post metropolis and the criticism of models
- Conflictual cities, Contested cities, rejecting modernism, capitalism and the state
- Beyond modernism the cultural turn of urban studies
- Culture and entertainment are back in town, the city of visitors
- Different urban worlds
- Urban Riots
- informal settlements, networks and illegalities part 1
- informal settlements, networks and illegalities part 2
- Conclusion Post Metrpolis
- References
- Week 8 – Digital City
- Introduction to smart city – Part 1
- Introduction to smart city – Part 2
- Maps and networks – Part 1
- Maps and networks – Part 2
- Smart city model – Part 1
- Sustainable city
- Maps and networks – Part 3
- Smart city model - Part 2
- Access and online activity in the city
- Transforming life - transforming India
- References
Summary of User Reviews
The Urban Development course on Coursera is highly recommended by many users. Students found the course to be engaging, informative, and well-structured. The course covers a range of topics related to urban development, including planning, design, and policy. The instructor is knowledgeable and provides clear explanations on complex topics. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the emphasis on real-world examples and case studies.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging and informative course content
- Well-structured course with clear explanations
- Instructor is knowledgeable and supportive
- Emphasis on real-world examples and case studies
- Opportunities for hands-on learning through assignments and projects
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the workload to be heavy
- The course may be too technical for beginners
- Limited interaction with other students
- The course may not be suitable for those looking for a broad overview of urban development
- The course may not be suitable for those who prefer lecture-style learning