Practicum

 

In the practicum, student teams will employ scenario planning and simulation modeling to investigate the interplay between climate change, biodiversity, and social equity within urban planning frameworks. The objective is to explore how alternative urban patterns and urban infrastructure systems impact human and ecological health and wellbeing, and to formulate hypotheses on the attributes that enhance urban resilience. Through case studies, students will evaluate system resilience and capacity for innovative solutions, gaining practical knowledge in developing future scenarios to integrate climate change, biodiversity, and social equity considerations into decision-making processes. Our goal is to formulate actionable principles to apply resilience science to environmental design and planning practices.
 
Participation and Assignments

This course is organized into four modules. Each module consists of 2 lectures and 2 practicum sessions over a span of two weeks. Students are required to complete the required readings, participate in class discussions and practicum exercises. Students individually will compose three memos linking theoretical concepts from each module to practical strategies and principle of environmental planning. Students will also work in teams on team scenario planning projects and will produce three team assignments that will serve as the basis for a 20-page final team report describing developed scenarios and strategic plans and give a 30-minute presentation of their findings. Students are also expected to participate in a simulation game. 

 

Performance

Students are expected to successfully complete all required assignments.

• Complete all assigned readings prior to class.

• Participate in all class discussions of reading related questions.

• Compose three individual memos reflecting on key theoretical concepts.

• Collaborate in writing three team assignments.

• Participate in simulation game.

• Participate in a 30-minute team presentation.

• Write a twenty-page team report.

• ​

Your performance will be evaluated according to four criteria:
1.    How regularly and actively you participate in team-work.
2.    How appropriate and thoughtful is your approach to the problems. 
3.    How well informed and supported is your analysis for the report.
4.    How well organized and clear is your presentation of ideas in the presentation.

 

Grades will be calculated based on the following criteria
Memos                                  30%
Team Assignments            30%
Report                                   30% 
Presentation                        10%