Master's specialisation in Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities
Master's specialisation in Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities
Sustainable Development Goals
Analysing and reflecting on sustainability transformations in cities and regions with regard to topics such as waste, energy, water, transportation and climate change.
Cities around the world are dealing with environmental issues: air pollution, urban heat islands, flooding and the growing accumulation of solid waste. What can be done to keep citizens safe from environmental hazards and natural disasters? What measures are needed to ensure a pleasant living environment? And how can residents, commuters and businesses be stimulated – or if necessary, forced by legislation or financial sanctions – to do their bit? As these problems are increasing, rather than diminishing, there is a growing demand for professionals who possess expertise in developing sustainable cities.
The Master’s specialisation in Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities focuses on the local level of sustainability transformations. You will be introduced to the most recent scientific insights, which will be illustrated by using numerous examples of how cities and regions all over the world are tackling these problems.
Waste, energy, water, transportation
A broad scope of environmental issues will be addressed, and the existing measures and instruments will be examined. Stormwater management, forms of renewable energy and green roofs are just a small sample of what you might encounter during this study. For example, you will discover that waste management goes far beyond recycling schemes and how cradle-to-grave products are making way for cradle-to-cradle products. In addition, we will be dealing with citizens’ initiatives in renewable energy as well as investigating new areas of focus, such as the possible environmental advantages of community food systems.
This Master’s specialisation will teach you how to form a bridge between science and society. What do the latest findings in environmental research actually signify and how can that knowledge be converted into concrete plans and policies, so that the changes that are needed can occur? In this, it is crucial that you understand how policymaking and legislation works as well as acquire insight into human behaviour. For a plan to work, the people and businesses in the city need to collaborate. Theories on change in behaviour and practices in light of sustainability will thus be addressed in various courses within this specialisation as well.
More information
http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/local-environmental-change-and-sustainable-cities/
INGO with UNESCO Associate Status / ECOSOC Consutative Status