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Urban Climate Action: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Explore urban climate change impacts and develop mitigation strategies in this 12-week course from MIT, covering governance, policy, and resilience planning.
Explore urban climate change impacts and develop mitigation strategies in this 12-week course from MIT, covering governance, policy, and resilience planning.
This comprehensive course delves into the critical role of cities in addressing climate change. With 55% of the global population residing in urban areas, cities are responsible for up to 70% of human-caused fossil fuel emissions. The course examines strategies cities have deployed and enables participants to investigate urban climate change actions and develop policy recommendations for adaptation and mitigation responses. Through expert-led sessions, learners gain insights into urban climate science, energy systems, environmental justice, and disaster risk management. The curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing students to explore city-specific research on climate resilience strategies. By engaging with the Urban Climate Change Research Network's scientific community, participants hear from global experts and apply their learnings to real-world urban climate challenges.
4.3
(7 ratings)
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What you'll learn
Understand the relationship between cities and climate change impacts
Analyze urban governance structures and their role in climate policy
Evaluate energy and transportation systems for urban climate mitigation
Explore social dimensions of climate change in urban settings
Develop strategies for urban climate adaptation and resilience
Assess the role of nature and environmental protection in urban climate action
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
Live video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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There are 12 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between urban development and climate change. It covers fundamental theories of urban governance and planning as they relate to climate mitigation and adaptation. Key topics include urban climate science, global warming impacts on cities, energy and transportation systems, environmental justice, and disaster risk management. The course emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, enabling students to develop and articulate best practices for climate action in local urban contexts. Through case studies and engagement with international experts, participants gain a global perspective on urban climate challenges and solutions. The curriculum culminates in the development of a Climate Action Plan, allowing students to apply their learning to real-world urban planning scenarios.
Cities and Climate Change
Module 1
Urban Climate Change Impacts
Module 2
Urban Energy and Transportation
Module 3
Housing, Maladaptation and Social Dimensions of Climate Change
Module 4
Climate Action
Module 5
Nature, Environmental Protection and Climate Change
Module 6
Urban Inhabitants and Health
Module 7
Urban Case Studies
Module 8
The Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Module 9
Components of a Climate Action Plan
Module 10
Drafting a Climate Action Plan
Module 11
Bringing together a Climate Action Plan Prospectus
Module 12
Fee Structure
Instructors
Environmental Policy Pioneer Advancing Climate Resilience Studies
Janelle Knox-Hayes serves as Professor of Economic Geography and Planning in MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning, where she directs the Resilient Communities Lab. Her research focuses on climate governance and building socio-economic, cultural, and environmental resilience for communities. She specializes in examining how community engagement and Traditional Ecological Knowledge can strengthen climate assessments and planning, while studying the effects of compound climate risks on vulnerable urban populations. Her work includes developing frameworks for community-based co-design of renewable energy systems and understanding how values shape planning across different scales. As director of the Environmental Policy and Planning Group, she leads initiatives investigating the intersection of environmental governance, social values, and market systems. Her scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed articles and influential books such as "Saving for Retirement," "The Culture of Markets: The Political Economy of Climate Governance," and the "Routledge Handbook of Financial Geography." Through her leadership of the Resilient Communities Lab, she continues to advance understanding of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies while promoting sustainable development practices
Urban Planning Expert Advancing Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience
Juan Camilo Osorio serves as an Associate Professor at Pratt Institute's Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment and Commissioner on the NYC Planning Commission, where he brings 16 years of experience in urban planning and environmental justice. After earning his architecture degree from the National University of Colombia and Master's in Regional Planning from UMass-Amherst, he is currently completing his PhD in Urban Studies and Planning at MIT. His career spans significant roles including Director of Research at NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and Senior GIS Analyst at the Municipal Art Society Planning Center. Appointed by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to the City Planning Commission in 2022, he focuses on decentralizing planning processes and promoting equity in urban development. His research examines the intersection of climate action, disaster recovery, and socio-economic inequality, with particular emphasis on community-based planning and environmental justice. He currently serves on multiple advisory bodies, including the NYC Offshore Wind Advisory Council and the Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel for New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Through his work at Pratt Institute, he engages students in applied research with grassroots leaders while helping to decolonize academic practices in urban planning
Testimonials
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4.3 course rating
7 ratings
Frequently asked questions
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