School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy  
 
 
PIR-30122 Eco-Cities: Visions of the Good City and Sustainable Development  
Co-ordinator: Dr Stephen Quilley    Room: CBB2.010, Tel:33214  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

Geography Major (Level 3)
Geography Single Honours (Level 3)
Human Geography Major (Level 3)
International Relations Dual Honours (Level 3)
International Relations Major (Level 3)
International Relations Minor (Level 3)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 3)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Politics Major (Level 3)
Politics Minor (Level 3)
Politics Single Honours (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

This module will provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding the problem of urban sustainability.

Eco-city design is presented as the critical interface between human culture and the ecological integrity of the biosphere. Students go on

(i) to explore the significance of earlier utopian visions of 'the good city' for current discourses of urban sustainability, and

(ii) to explore the relevance of a range of technical concepts from ecological economics and sustainability theory to the problem of eco-city design.

The module seeks to engage students with recent institutional, theoretical and conceptual changes in relation to urban ecology and sustainability.

The final module mark is based upon the following: a 2,500 word essay (50%); a 2-hour unseen written exam (50%) and a presentation (0%).

Aims



* To provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding of long term social-ecological processes underlying debates around urban sustainability.

* To provide students with an in-depth and systematic understanding of the influence of 19th and early 20th century utopian visions of 'the good city' on current debates in relation to urban sustainability and 'eco-cities'


* To analyse critically applications of ecological economics and sustainability theory as applied to urban development, regeneration and governance.




Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse critically long term social-ecological processes underlying the problem of urban sustainability


will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
evaluate critically the role of eco-cities in relation to the problem of human ecology and sustainability more generally. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
analyse and compare different traditions of urban utopian thought, identifying their relevance to contemporary visions urban sustainability.
will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
apply relevant critical and theoretical secondary materials in analysing primary documents. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Identify the theoretical foundation for contemporary debates around sustainability and aply them to urban development



will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Analyse a range of evaluative tools and planning techniques being used to advance the green cities agenda. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3


Study hours

Seminar contact 6 hours
Lecture contact 14 hours
Examination 2 hours
Preparation for seminars 40 hours
Research for and writing of essays 60 hours
Preparation for presentation 8 hours
Preparation for examination 20 hours

Total 150 hours




Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 50%
2500 Word Essay
Students will complete a 2500 words essay. They will have a choice of questions based around the seminar topics.

02: Portfolio weighted 50%
A combination of written exercises and short answer questions
A combination of written exercises and short answer questions

03: Presentation
Group presentation - formative
A formative group presentation drawn from a list of structured topics agreed with course leader


Version: (1.05A) Created: 31/Jul/2012

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.