Canadian cities have evolved. Students learn how Canadian cities have developed in different regions of the country over time and explore how wider trends in our history have affected urban life. Topics include colonization, industrialization, and post-war urbanization. Students develop an understanding of the ways different historical forces interact to create major social impacts.
This course is about place-based communities: neighborhoods, towns, cities and regions. It examines the relationships between urban form and social patterns; and efforts to influence community life by shaping the built environment. The course is organized on two tracks: a community-based project examines opportunities to enhance the vitality of a particular public space; while discussion of readings systematically examines the concept of ecological democracy and a set of design principles as a practical approach to creating places that are vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and inspiring.
This course focuses on the examination of the environmental and social impacts resulting from industrial society, as well as the corresponding policy responses. We will delve into current trends related to industrialization, urbanization, and globalization, analyzing their effects on human health, environmental sustainability, and equity. Additionally, we will explore various policy options available to address these pressing issues. The course will encompass both domestic and international contexts, presenting key trends in these realms.
A central theme of this course revolves around the paradoxical nature of cities, which can be both sources of environmental problems and solutions to them. We will seek to answer important questions such as: What are the major environmental challenges faced by cities worldwide? How does urban development drive environmental change, and how do environmental issues drive urban transformation? How has the relationship between urban humans and nature evolved over time, and what might it look like in the future?
To address these inquiries and more, we will explore a range of urban environmental challenges, examining historical, current, and future possibilities. We will also analyze the strategies that cities have employed to manage or mitigate these problems while preparing for emerging issues. The first half of the course will focus on various analytical approaches, including theoretical frameworks such as urban political ecology, environmental justice, and the concept of sustainable city. In the second half, we will investigate specific environmental issues that modern cities worldwide grapple with and analyze them, along with potential solutions, using the approaches learned earlier in the course.
An investigation of concepts, models, and perspectives of community development practice. Explores social, cultural, religious, political, economic, and environmental aspects that affect community development practice. Asset-based and sustainable human development models and action research are emphasized. The course utilizes teaching cases and experts from the field and requires substantial reading, reflection, and discussion.
Geographic Information Systems for Community Development (USP 452) provides an overview of the use, application, and representation of geographic data in the field of community development. The course is designed for students interested in the theoretical foundations, historical developments, and practical applications of spatial thinking. Combining assigned readings, video lectures, tutorials, and assignments, this course aims to help students develop an in-depth understanding of how spatial thinking can support the decision-making processes in the field of community development.
The goals are to help students:
● Understand the theories in geographic information and characteristics of spatial analysis; grasp basic concepts supporting spatial thinking in social science;
● Master the latest technology and its applications in community development and related fields; Acquire technical skills and be familiar with map making procedures using ArcGIS Pro;
● Identify available spatial data to solve community development problems and create convincing narratives.