Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/iglus

Introduction

### Course Review: Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems The **Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems (IGLUS)** course offered by Coursera in collaboration with EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is a remarkable educational experience that provides deep insights into the complexities of urban governance. By examining the entire urban value chain, this course breaks down critical concepts involved in planning, governance, and regeneration, making it a must for urban planners, policymakers, and anyone vested in the future of urban living. #### Overview This course is thoughtfully curated to deliver a comprehensive understanding of urban systems through practical case studies and contributions from a diverse array of international lecturers. The IGLUS program, which has delivered an Executive Master’s in this domain over the past five years, serves as the rich resource from which this course draws its innovative content. You'll find discussions that not only tackle theoretical frameworks but also dive into real-world applications and challenges faced by modern cities. #### Course Structure The course is divided into four main sections, each focusing on a key phase of the urban value chain: 1. **Designing Cities (Week 1)**: The journey commences with urban planning, where students learn about the deliberate construction of human environments. This week emphasizes the importance of planning as a foundation for creating humane and livable cities. The objective is clear: grasp the complexities involved in the ‘production of space’ and recognize the essential role of urban planning. 2. **Governing Cities - Part 1 (Week 2)**: This week shifts the focus to governance structures. It addresses the fundamentals such as historical context, available resources, and the significant role of digitalization in modern governance. Students analyze the multifaceted institutional, organizational, and financial facets of metropolitan governance, which is increasingly relevant in today's data-driven world. 3. **Governing Cities - Part 2 (Week 3)**: Continuing the discussion on governance, this week explores social and economic inequalities present in urban environments. It encourages students to examine issues of social justice and equity in urban infrastructure, fostering a deeper understanding of how diverse populations access urban services differently. 4. **Regenerating Cities (Week 4)**: The final segment deals with regeneration strategies crucial for revitalizing underused or neglected urban areas. This includes an analysis of why regeneration is not only beneficial but essential for maintaining the vitality of urban locales. Students will explore the intricacies of planning new urban centers while addressing degradation in existing neighborhoods. #### Recommendations **Who Should Take This Course?** This course is highly recommended for: - Urban planners - City officials and policymakers - Urban studies students - Environmental advocates - Anyone interested in the future of urban living and innovative governance practices **Pros:** - Comprehensive coverage of urban systems - Access to international experts in the field - Rich use of case studies for practical understanding - Focus on real-world applications and social justice **Cons:** - As a MOOC, the level of personal interaction may be limited compared to in-person classes. - Some modules may be more challenging for those without prior knowledge of urban systems. #### Conclusion Overall, the **Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems** course stands out as an enlightening exploration into the dynamic mechanisms that shape our cities. With its structured approach, blending theory with practical case studies and contemporary issues, this course equips learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute meaningfully to urban development and governance. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of urban dynamics and play a role in shaping the cities of tomorrow, I highly recommend enrolling in this course on Coursera. It is a significant step towards understanding the innovative governance strategies that will define the urban landscapes of the future.

Syllabus

Preamble

Welcome to the first week of the MOOC! This week, we will be addressing the first phase of the urban value chain: planning. Why do we talk about urban planning? Cities are human-made environments and are therefore constructed; and construction is planned. We want to understand how urban planning plays a fundamental role to make the city humane, liveable and an accessible social space to its inhabitants. The objective of the week is therefore to understand the complexities involved in the “production of space”.

Welcome to the second week of the MOOC! We will address the second phase of the urban value chain! Governance. What is relevant for governance? There are first the institutions and their history, the resources available and those that are to be developed; and more recently we have observed the impact on digitalization on governance. We now want to explore how digitalization can actually improve it. The objective of the second week is to analyse the institutional, organizational and financial issues of metropolitan governance.

Welcome to the third week of the MOOC! We are still dealing with governance, but this week, we will be addressing the economic and social perspectives. In every city, there are economic and social inequities. Different groups of population have differentiated access to urban infrastructure and services. The objective of the week is to discuss social justice issues of governing urban infrastructure and explore ways and means to address them.

Welcome to the last week of the MOOC! We are now dealing with the third phase of the urban value-chain: regeneration. Why is this phase important? Every city has pockets of underused land or distressed and decaying urban areas. They weaken the city’s image, liveability and productivity. Urban regeneration is a strategy to address inner cities decline and deprivation. On the other hand, local governments may be willing to expand urban areas and create new cities. The objective of the week is to understand urban regeneration strategies and analyse the creation of new cities.