CRP 383.7 / LAR 385.1 / U D 381E.3 / ARC 386M.36
Introduction to Urban Ecology examines ecology in cities (e.g., how do urban bird populations differ from rural ones?), the ecology of cities (e.g., what are the energy, material, and information flows of a city?), and ecology for cities (e.g., how do we use urban ecological knowledge to make cities healthier, safer and more just and vibrant places to live?) Each week we will focus on several key urban ecological concepts and then explore how to apply those concepts from a planning and design perspective. Our goal each week is to learn about urban ecology patterns and processes and then link these patterns and processes to planning and design.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, students will:
- Understand key concepts related to urban ecology (UE) and its intersection with the planning and design
disciplines; - Be able to critically examine how planners and others can support, facilitate, harness and mitigate UE systems in a way that incorporates equity, public health, community development, environmental, and economic development goals;
- Be familiar with the relationships between urban ecology and diverse human populations, including but not limited to population characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status