SA301-6-SP-CO:
Urban Sustainability
2025/26
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Future
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
13 May 2025
Requisites for this module
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BA K44E Urban Sustainability Studies
This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of urban sustainability, exploring the challenges, strategies, and solutions for creating sustainable urban environments. It focuses on the interrelationship between urbanization, environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The module deliberately looks beyond Europe and tackles challenges of urban sustainability in existing and emerging mega cities that bring tensions around use of space, resources, wealth distribution and citizens' rights. Furthermore, environmental challenges exaggerate the competition for healthy living spaces in big cities.
This module will draw upon an interdisciplinary perspective.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide an overview on challenges and solutions regarding urban sustainability (in Europe and beyond).
- To examine environmental and social problems relating to mega cities.
- To analyse and evaluate case studies of urban sustainability solutions.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the Concept of Urban Sustainability: Define and critically assess the concept of urban sustainability, and explain its importance in contemporary urban development.
- Assess Urban Challenges: Evaluate key environmental, social, and economic challenges facing urban areas (climate change, inequality, and resource depletion).
- Apply Sustainability Frameworks: Identify and apply key sustainability frameworks, tools, and indicators used in the context of urban planning and policy.
- Evaluate Policies and Strategies: Critically assess current urban sustainability policies, strategies, and best practices in both developed and developing cities.
- Develop Solutions: Design and propose innovative solutions for sustainable urban development, considering local, national, and global contexts.
Indicative Syllabus Outline
- Introduction to Urban Sustainability
- Theories of Sustainability and Urbanization
- Environmental Challenges in Urban Areas
- Urban Equity, Social Sustainability, and Inclusion
- Sustainable Urban Mobility and Transport Systems
- Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecosystems
- Urban Climate Resilience and Adaptation
- Sustainability Governance and Policy
- Technological Innovation and Smart Cities
- Integrating Sustainability into Urban Planning and Design
This module will be delivered via:
- 10 x 2-hour workshops (that combine lectures and seminars)
Students are expected to undertake the reading before the seminars classes and be prepared to engage in discussion. The readings will be available online.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Yes
Yes
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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