LA 6070 - Emerging Dimensions in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Practices

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Co-meets with LA 4070.

J. Cerra.

This course explores the urban ecological design movement as an interdisciplinary combination of ecological science and sustainable desin innovation. Students research contemporary relationships between the built and natural environments through a series of written and graphic exercises, and then present their work in a symposium format for class discussion.

Outcome 1: Students will develop an understanding of urban ecological issues and their relationship to sustainable planning and design practice.

Outcome 2: Students will study examples of emerging policies, initiatives, and strategies that seek to integrate urban ecological objectives into sustainable urban planning and design practice.

Outcome 3: Students will investigate an urban ecological topic or issue and explore its potential implications for sustainable design innovation in urban environments.

Outcome 4: Students develop an exploratory thesis statement (abstract), and conduct literature searches and case study investigations to illuminate and support their thesis goals.

Outcome 5: Students will strengthen their ability to express and evaluate conclusions through a combination of written, graphic, oral presentation, and group discussion exercises.