Urban Sustainability Strategy

Investigate the factors influencing urban air quality and its impact on city liveability. Develop strategies to address air quality challenges and create healthier, more sustainable urban environments through evidence-based approaches.  

By the end of this sprint, you’ll be able to:  

• Analyse the casual relationship between mobility and health  
• Analyse how air quality data provides information about human health   
• Implement strategies to enhance air quality that consider urban mobility 

WEEK 1: 

• Explore the imperative for urban transformation amidst the complexities of air pollution, urban vulnerability, health, climate, environment, and liveability 
• Investigate pollution sources, especially transportation, and their effects on city air quality, mobility, and health, with a focus on EU strategies and urban transport efficiency 
• Evaluate the importance of low-cost air quality monitoring, citizen science and community engagement approaches 

WEEK 2: 

• Review approaches to altering human behaviour and promoting sustainable transportation choices 
• Explore innovative solutions for urban logistics and city transport, including policy, planning and infrastructure interventions 
• Examine various policy interventions and the impact of electrification on both air quality and mobility

Explore the fundamental biological processes behind green corridors and considerations for implementing nature-based solutions to lead transformative change in the development of sustainable urban environments.  

By the end of this sprint, you’ll be able to:  

• Evaluate the principles of green urban planning and design  
• Identify green and grey infrastructure elements within urban development projects  
• Develop strategies for urban improvement through green spaces and sustainable design 
• Evaluate the principles of green urban planning and design  
• Develop strategies for urban improvement through green spaces and sustainable design 

WEEK 1: 

• Explore approaches to designing and delivering nature-based solutions to address urban challenges 
• Analyse the environmental and social impact of nature-positive initiatives 

WEEK 2: 

• Explain how the ‘green’ and ‘blue’ and ‘grey’ infrastructure elements affect thermal comfort, pollution and airflow 
• Identify key considerations associated with green infrastructure at an urban scale 
• Explore the connectivity of different types of urban green spaces 

Explore evidence-based approaches to positively influence urban transportation. Gain skills to shape inclusive and sustainable cities by exploring the relationship between human behaviour, climate change, and transport choices.  

By the end of this sprint, you’ll be able to:  

• Interpret the key determinants of urban travel behaviour and the role of policy in shaping travel choices  
• Explain how urban mobility aides in creating economically, socially and environmentally sustainable cities  
• Assess the principles of low emission technologies and electric vehicle infrastructure with the context of urban mobility 

WEEK 1: 

• Engage with the concept of mobility in cities including opportunities and challenges 
• Identify the need for policies and adequate governance through the lens of case studies 
• Review environmental externalities and initiatives to mitigate their impact – Emissions, Electronic Vehicles, and Electronic Vehicle Charging Infrastructure 
• Evaluate the role of micromobility and shared mobility in reducing congestion 
• Explore the relationship between liveability, active mobility and human health 

WEEK 2: 

• Identify the practical, values based and gendered influences of travel behaviour 
• Explore challenges, solutions and innovations in city-wide urban logistics 
• Reflect on considerations in adopting private and public infrastructure toward carbon neutrality 
• Review the role of policy tools and frameworks in shaping urban mobility

Delve into the rise of sustainability, social impact, and ESG, exploring contemporary priorities. Tackle problems, analyse risks, and develop initiatives, culminating in the creation of Urban Sustainability Strategy Action Plan tailored to your chosen specialisation, be it Air Quality, Green Cities or Urban Mobility. 

Week 1: The rise of sustainability, social impact and ESG 

• Explore the rise of sustainability, social impact & ESG. 
• Consider contemporary ESG priorities and reflect on UN Sustainable Development goals 
• Examine the key components of an Urban Sustainability Strategy Action Plan 

Milestone: Define your project focus area and share with your peer.

Week 2: Understanding your challenges 

• Assess challenges faced by cities and learn about ‘wicked problems’ 
• Examine materiality and conduct a materiality assessment for your initiative 
• Review tactics for identifying and engaging with your stakeholders 

Milestone: Develop your stakeholder engagement plan. 

Week 3: Finding opportunities and developing your initiatives 

• Consider ways to avoid misleading claims and disinformation such as ‘greenwashing’ 
• Conduct a PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental) analysis for your opportunity 

Milestone: Define your potential initiatives and link them to the high level goals of your strategy. 

In this week, you’ll also have a mentor check in. 

Week 4: Applying frameworks and standards 

• Identify relevant sustainability frameworks or standards to apply to your sustainability strategy 
• Learn from industry experts about how frameworks and standards are applied in real-world projects 

Milestone: Define standards and align metrics with goals for your project. 

Week 5: Influencing stakeholders 

• Identify the roles and responsibilities required to resource your initiative 
• Develop key messages to promote and progress your strategy 

Milestone: Refine your proposed action plan and gather feedback from your mentor. 

In this week, you’ll also have a mentor check in. 

Week 6: What’s next? 

• Finalise your strategic action plan and presentation 
• Reflect on how sustainability values might shape your future career 
• Gain insights from industry experts about the future of work for sustainability in the built environment 

Final project: Present your completed sustainability strategy action plan in a five-minute video, focusing on initiatives from your chosen specialisation (Green Cities, Urban Mobility, Air Quality).