NR595+International+Issues+in+Urban+Ecology


 * NR595 International Issues in Urban Ecology Fall 2011**

Jordan Addition 3213, Fridays 9-11am This is a one credit discussion course organized by Melissa McHale.


 * “The 21st Century will not be dominated by America or China, Brazil or India, but by the city. In an age that appears increasingly unmanageable, cities rather than states are becoming the islands of governance on which the future world order will be built”**


 * Evaluate urban ecological theory developed in the US through an international lens
 * Analyze the biophysical, political, and economic drivers of urbanization globally
 * Assess the resilience of human dominated systems in the face of climate change
 * Critique the concept of “the sustainable city”

The book we are using as a base for our readings can be downloaded on the NCSU libraries webpage: http://www2.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/record/NCSU2385847


 * Tentative Schedule**

September 2 - INT'L ISSUES - we will discuss 3 chapters from the urban ecology text (I need to make pdfs and post asap). (1) Urbanization (2)Urban Socio-ecological systems: Linking terrestrial Ecological Physical and Socioeconomic components of metropolitan areas. (3) Integrated Approaches to Long Term Studies of Urban Ecological Systems

Sept 9 - BOTH INT'L ISSUES AND URBAN LAB GROUP - (1) Urban Ecological Footprints: Why cities cannot be sustainable - and why they are the key to sustainability. (2) What should an ideal city look like from an ecological view? - ecological demands on the future city (3) Planning Sustainable Cities Document - http://www.sustainablecities.net/docman-resources/cat_view/110-resources/98-urban-sustainability-planning-/186-uclg-policy-paper-on-urban-strategic-planning An Interesting and Relevant Video: []

Sept 16 - INT'L ISSUES - Topic - How do we build a city? Industrial Ecology meets Urban Ecology - One Suggested reading from book: Lynch "What is the form of a city, and How is it Made?". Michael has a book he is reading that may be interesting to add chapters from as well - it is on all of the structures in the urban system that we take for granted. Guillermo Lead.

Sept 23 - URBAN ECO LAB - Topic - "COLLAPSE! or COLLAPSE? (Which is it?)" Powerpoint - Reading list -

Sept 30 - INT'L ISSUES - Topic - Biodiversity, Island Biogeography, Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, connectivity and wildlife - Julissa Lead

October 7 - URBAN ECO LAB - Cancelled - FALL BREAK

October 14 - INT"L ISSUES - Topic - Urban Climate and the Heat Island - Emily Lead

October 21 - URBAN ECO LAB - TBD - Kevin - (1)Anonymous (1972) - Old Cities, New Cities, No Cities – 1 page, (2)Batty (2008) – The Size, Scale, and Shape of Cities – 4 pages, (3)Diamond – Collapse, Chapter 11, One Island, Two People, Two, Histories: The Dominican - Republic and Haiti p329-357, (4)Foley (2011) – Solutions for a Cultivated Planet – 6 pages

October 28 - INT'L ISSUES - Rural Livelihoods and what they mean for urban sustainability & rural development -- Scott Lead

Nov 4 - URBAN ECO LAB - Urban Resilience and Sustainability - Neal Wisenbaker - Readings and Study guide

Nov 11 - INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND URBAN ECO LAB - Environmental Justice and Sustainability: Is there sustainability without Environmental Justice?

Potential Topics Squatter Cities China development patterns - concrete dragon Urbanization in tropics - productivity biodiversity Conservation debate - wealthy ideals? Communication of sustainability Issues - Climate Change - Resilient cities - We need to define resilient Class trip - to experience "culture"