What future do we imagine for the places where we live and which we create? How can we make them more sustainable? Why are some regions thriving while others are in sharp decline? And what is the political context and relevance of all this?

Course structure

The course begins by establishing theoretical foundations: how did we get to the urban landscape we see today? We’ll then identify existing challenges and develop approaches to address them without perpetuating existing problems or creating new ones. We’ll explore the underlying factors that shape our cities and regions, examining why some areas flourish while others face sharp decline.

We will adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating economics, environmental studies, urban studies, public policy, and a bit of sociology, philosophy, and political science. We’ll critically analyse these topics from diverse perspectives, striving for a realistic assessment. Our focus will will be directed primarily at the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.

Course pre-requisites and objectives

Throughout the course, we weill develop the ability to observe the spaces we occupy and the spaces we create, observing their beauty as well as their darker side. This will enable us to formulate a simplified model of how cities and regions can develop sustainably in the future.

This course welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, requiring no prior knowledge or skills. Taking cities as a case study, it serves as an introduction to approaching complex topics from various disciplinary perspectives, and it can potentially help you uncover an interest in pursuing one of these fields further.