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There are 5 modules in this course
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.
Through Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities, you will gain the ability to apply a comprehensive toolkit of policy and technology innovations to bolster community resilience. You will develop strategies to implement urban sustainability and climate resilience policies effectively and evaluate opportunities to enhance your community through innovative approaches. You will benefit from an in-depth understanding of sustainability practices through case studies and learn how these can be scaled to larger communities. The course uniquely emphasizes the role and authority of local governments and citizens in decision-making processes, equipping you with the skills to engage the public effectively.
Policy, Technology, and Carbon Free Cities stands out by offering insights into cutting-edge and traditional technologies that drive sustainability and resilience. Through interviews with experts and real-world examples, you will explore diverse strategies, including carbon removal and smart city innovations. Additionally, the course examines the impact of local policies on urban development and public health, providing a holistic view of sustainable urban planning. By the end, you will be prepared to create a vision for future cities, leveraging smart technologies and policy innovations to address climate challenges.
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 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 7 minutes
Meet the Instructor: William Shutkin•4 minutes
Meet the Instructor: Shane Casey•3 minutes
3 readings•Total 21 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
About this Specialization•10 minutes
About this Course•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Introduce Yourself•10 minutes
Local Government Action and Sustainability in Boulder, Colorado
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Interview with Susie Strife "What are some of the most exciting sustainability practices in Boulder today?"
•12 minutes
How to Scale Impact•7 minutes
Interview with Susie Strife "How can a community exert impact at scale?"•4 minutes
Role of Local Government•7 minutes
Interview with Jonathan Koehn "How is your role most effective in implementing sustainability initiatives?"
•6 minutes
Community Decision-making•6 minutes
Interview with Susie Strife "How does Boulder County support residents overcoming barriers to policy?"•1 minute
Interview with Jonathan Koehn "What has been your experience engaging with the public on sustainability issues?"•6 minutes
11 readings•Total 118 minutes
What is a Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Why is it Important?•10 minutes
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Boulder County, CO (2021)•15 minutes
Boulder County Announces 2024 Climate Innovation Fund Recipients•10 minutes
Boulder is one big step closer to putting Exxon and Suncor on trial for climate change•10 minutes
Innovation Grants Awarded to Four Projects that Will Transform Waste to Reduce Wildfire Risk, Lock Away Climate Pollution•10 minutes
As Federal Climate-Fighting Tools Are Taken Away, Cities and States Step Up•10 minutes
Supporting Local Governments as Climate Change Threatens Their Communities•10 minutes
Boulder's Climate Action•15 minutes
Your Power as a Citizen•10 minutes
5 Reasons to Include Community in Decision-Making•10 minutes
Community connectors plug residents into Boulder’s civic engagement process•8 minutes
4 assignments•Total 40 minutes
Sustainability In Practice Quiz•10 minutes
How to Scale Impact Quiz•10 minutes
Role of Local Government Quiz•10 minutes
Community Decision-making Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Benefits and Challenges of Community Engagement•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Key Takeaways•10 minutes
Making Carbon-Free Cities
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Interview with Korkut Onaran "What is the thesis of your book "Urbanism for a Difficult Future"?•14 minutes
Interview with Korkut Onaran "What is a hyperlocal community, and what sustainability benefits does this model provide?"•9 minutes
Costs and Benefits•4 minutes
9 readings•Total 95 minutes
Clearing the Air: Why Low-Carbon Transportation is Critical for Cities •10 minutes
The Health, Economic and Community Benefits of Zero-carbon Buildings•10 minutes
How much clean energy does it take to make green steel?•10 minutes
The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think•10 minutes
The City Where Cars Are Not Welcome•10 minutes
How Heidelberg built one of the world’s largest carbon-neutral districts•10 minutes
The Climate Impact of Your Neighborhood, Mapped•10 minutes
Climate Emergency, Urban Opportunity•15 minutes
How Oslo Learned to Fight Climate Change•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
Carbon-Free Strategies Quiz•10 minutes
Sustainability Practices Quiz•10 minutes
Costs and Benefits Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Sustainability Strategies•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Key Takeaways•10 minutes
Smart Cities and New Technologies
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
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.
AC is hard on the planet. This building has a sustainable solution•5 minutes
A New Job for Electric Vehicles: Powering Homes During Blackouts•10 minutes
A New City, Built Upon Data, Takes Shape in South Korea•10 minutes
What a Smart City Is… and Is Not•5 minutes
Smile, Your City Is Watching You•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 40 minutes
Innovations Quiz•10 minutes
Ancient Technologies Quiz•10 minutes
New Technologies Quiz•10 minutes
Smart City Quiz•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Smart Cities and New Technologies•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Key Takeaways•10 minutes
Policy Innovations
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
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.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
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To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.