We find ourselves in a new revolutionary era, the Anthropocene, characterized by humanity’s dramatic impact on Earth’s biophysical conditions. From the hottest year on record, to the disappearance of pollinators, to the collapse of fisheries, and to our use of about half of the planet's liveable surface to feed ourselves. Now the science of planetary health teaches us that everything is connected in manifold ways.
From the 6th Assessment IPCC report on ‘Urban systems and other settlements’* we learn:
- Urban green and blue infrastructure can mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, avoided emissions, and reduced energy use.
- There is an urgent need to integrate urban mitigation and adaptation strategies for cities to address climate change and withstand its effects.
- With over 880 million people living in informal settlements, cities hold opportunities to harness informal practices and institutions related to housing, waste, energy, water, and sanitation to reduce resource use and mitigate climate change.
*IPCC, 2022: Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. See Study Materials.
Our stage is the city. We prepare for the Symbiocene ,when humans, nature and technology strive to create a new bio-balance. The Symbiotic City is our test ground. Students will explore their responsibility for urban health and learn to think in terms of interdisciplinary systemic solutions for the challenges we face today.
Some examples *:
- Nature-based flood protections restored coastal ecosystems.
- Decarbonizing the urban economy, expanding sustainable mobility options, and adequately retrofitting urban housing stock.
- Urban farming, aquaponics, and other alternative and localized food production systems help reduce food waste.
- Economic and food production policies, social inclusion, mobility, and urban development shape urban health determinants, offering entry points for multi-sector interventions.
- Research and evaluation opportunities in urban health could employ systems thinking, simulation models, and participatory group model building.
*Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. See Study Materials.
This course addresses urban challenges as stated in the UN New Urban Agenda and the global Sustainable Development Goals.