Welcome to Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities, the second course in the Building Sustainable Cities Specialization. This course is intended to build upon foundational concepts introduced in the first course, Climate Resilience and Urban Sustainability.
Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities
This course is part of Building Sustainable Cities Specialization
Instructors: Shane Casey
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
17 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Understand the role and authority of local government and citizens in making sustainability decisions and ways to engage the public more effectively.
Evaluate the strategies and opportunities for carbon-neutral cities, and weigh these costs and benefits against carbon-intensive cities.
Evaluate key technologies and design innovations driving resilience and sustainability programs and policies.
Analyze the effect of local policies on density, transit, public health, and climate.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
September 2024
Assessments
14 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Building Sustainable Cities Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 5 modules in this course
Welcome to the Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities course. Get started by meeting the instructors, reviewing expectations for the specialization and course, and introducing yourself to the class.
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 discussion prompt
This module explores sustainability practices in Boulder, Colorado, and examines how these can be scaled to larger communities. It covers the roles of local governments and citizens in sustainability decision-making and strategies for effective public engagement. Through case studies, quizzes, and discussions, you will gain insights into the dynamics of urban resilience and community involvement.
What's included
10 videos11 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
This module provides an in-depth analysis of sustainability practices in cities worldwide, focusing on strategies for achieving carbon neutrality. Students will evaluate the costs and benefits of carbon-free versus carbon-intensive cities, utilizing case studies and quizzes to understand the implications of different urban sustainability approaches. The module aims to equip participants with the knowledge to advocate for sustainable city planning in their communities.
What's included
7 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
This module explores the technologies and design innovations that drive resilience and sustainability in urban environments. It examines the benefits of both modern and pre-modern technologies as preferred solutions for urban sustainability. Participants will create a vision for future cities using smart city technologies and policy innovations, integrating historical insights with new advancements to address contemporary sustainability challenges.
What's included
6 videos15 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
This module examines policy innovations in sustainable urban development, focusing on best practices in resilience and sustainability policy. It evaluates opportunities for urban sustainability offered by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and related programs. Participants will analyze the impact of local policies on urban density, transportation, public health, and climate, using case studies to illustrate effective strategies and outcomes.
What's included
5 videos9 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt
Instructors
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Environmental Science and Sustainability
Johns Hopkins University
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
University of Lausanne
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.