MCCCD Program Description

Sustainable Cities

Course: SSH111

First Term: 2012 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Introduction to the field of sustainability and exploration of the practices leading to the development of sustainable cities. Explores the concept of sustainable development of cities within local, regional, and global contexts.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify current and future issues in sustainability for urban locations (I, II) 2. Describe the urban ecological footprint and explain its relevance to sustainability (I, III) 3. Explain linkages between local and global cities relating to sustainability (I, IV) 4. Identify the causes, effects, and mitigation of the urban heat island (V) 5. Outline the basis of urban issues including water, waste, pollution, food, and health (V) 6. Define what constitutes sustainable urban development (VI) 7. Identify urban transportation issues relating to sustainability and describe alternative solutions (VII) 8. Discuss sustainable business practices and products (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to sustainability A. Domains (i.e. economics, socio-cultural, environmental, technological) B. Carrying capacity (e.g. population, resource limitations) C. Life-cycle assessment (e.g. evaluation of environmental impacts of cities) II. Urban structure A. Historical, contemporary, future (e.g. comparison of past cities to modern cities, settlement patterns) B. Major issues (e.g. exploration of urban population trends) III. Urban ecological footprint (i.e. determination of a citys footprint) A. Carbon B. Food C. Housing D. Goods and services IV. Local to global context A. Socio-economics (e.g. consideration of developing vs. developed regions) B. Infrastructure (e.g. policy, construction materials) V. Energy, water, and food A. Heat island (i.e. urban energy balance) B. Waste, pollution, health (e.g. storm runoff, disposal procedures, impacts to the health of the population) C. Urban farming (e.g. policy and practices) VI. Development practices A. Planning B. Green space C. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) VII. Transportation A. Impact of sprawl, climate, preferences on transportation techniques and availability B. Alternative techniques (e.g. hybrid, diesel-electric, biodiesel) VIII. Business A. Sustainable products (e.g..production, usage of sustainable materials) B. Sustainable practices (e.g. mission statement, in-house accountability)

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 22, 2010

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.