New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development (BYG655)

This course examines how emerging technologies and innovative concepts can shape the future of cities, driving more sustainable urban development when applied effectively. Through case studies of successful projects and lessons learned from past challenges, the course equips students with the tools to critically evaluate and implement forward-thinking urban solutions.

The full day workshop based course is relevant to students interested in the disruptive technologies and ideas shaping our future. The five workshops will contain lectures, discussions and project work related to five connected main themes. A workshop 6 will contain a full day of student presentations of their final written delivery work. A mid term discussion on the work will take place during the last half of workshop 3.

Workshop 1 FORECASTING

Long term planning requires a deep understanding of how cities develop. Everything we do involves forecasting. Is it possible to forecast more precisely the changes ahead? If so, is forecasting the only tool available or can backcasting (setting out ambitious goals and then carry them through) also work?

Workshop 2 ETHICS

In order to develop truly sustainable cities we need to look at more than just technological improvements and greenery. How people meet in cities, how safe a city is also defines the quality of living. So does the level of corruption and other ethical challenges. A philosophical approach to the issue can help us clarify our thoughts.

Workshop 3 CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS RISKS

The world is - in spite of many doomsday forecasts - a better place for the majority of people than 100 years ago. But what are the consequences of climate change? Are we acting too late and forced to focus on mitigation and adaptation, or can we still avoid dramatic climate change? Mid-term review and discussion of the on-going student work.

Workshop 4: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INNOVATIONS

This workshop explores innovative projects aimed at creating energy-efficient, low-carbon communities. We examine how advancements in renewable energy technologies and energy storage are influencing the development of sustainable solutions. The workshop also critically reviews both successful and less effective examples of ongoing and previous projects.

Workshop 5: VISIONS OF UTOPIA AND URBAN CHALLENGES

This workshop delves into visionary urban concepts, often referred to as Utopias, which inspire new possibilities in city planning and societal development. We analyse both the successes and failures of these ambitious ideas, focusing on their broader implications.

Workshop 6 FINAL PRESENTATION AND HAND IN

Students present their final delivery work. The final presentation does not count in the marking process.

Knowledge

Having completed this course the students should be able to:

• Understand and evaluate the prospects of different disruptive technologies.
• Reflect critically to new technologies and new ideas.
• Understand how new ideas and technologies interact with each other.
• Reflect critically to forecasting but understand the possibilities it offers.

Skills

Having completed this course the students should be able to:

• Master techniques to address analytical questions about future technologies.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of the impact of new technologies and ideas, how they fundamentally shift our use and perception of future possibilities.
• Offer an expanded capacity to understand emerging technologies and ideas.
• Participate in discussions in future classes and society at large.

General competence:

Having completed this course the students should be able to:

• Explore new technologies and ideas with a critical distance.
• Based on research presented and case studies discussed, formulate own ideas.
• Communicate their ideas, calculations and thoughts through the format of workshop-discussions, demanding oral participation from all students.

Lectures.

Independent and group work.

Brainstorming sessions.