SJS 200 The Green City
As the majority of the world’s population lives in cities, urban environments are central to sustainability transitions. This course examines how “green cities” function by focusing on the analysis and evaluation of urban ecological systems. Core topics include urban nature and biodiversity, green infrastructure, mobility, energy and food systems, and access to inclusive public spaces. The course is structured around key targets of United Nations SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, with particular attention to environmental impact, green space accessibility, sustainable mobility, and participatory planning. Students explore how these targets are translated into policies and practices in real-world contexts. Using Zurich as a primary case study, students engage with site visits, case studies, and comparative perspectives to analyze and evaluate how sustainability initiatives perform in practice. Emphasis is placed on critical assessment: students examine the effectiveness, equity, and limitations of different urban strategies using SDG indicators and date-based evidence. By the end of the course, students develop a rigorous analytical framework for understanding how green cities operate and for assessing sustainability strategies across diverse global contexts.
Offered
Every Three Years (J-term or May Interim Session)