Contemporary Urban Developments has a twofold objective. Firstly, the subject aims to show changes affecting contemporary cities and, more specifically, how these changes are being shown in European cities. Secondly, it gives students an opportunity to get familiar with sources, methodologies, and procedures that allow them to make initial research on urban developments (ILO 6.1).
Brief description of the course
The course has an introductory character. It is structured in 9 units. The first one provides students with the key tools for learning, as well as appropriate sources of research. The second one addresses a general overview of the urbanization of the world (ILO 1.1.). The third and fourth ones focus on the European realm. The fifth one pays special attention to Spanish cities. Units from six to eight show different key aspects concerning the future of European and World cities such as gentrification, overtourism, tertiarization, sustainability, adaptation to climate change, or new forms of intra-urban mobility, among other issues. Finally, the last unit deals with the importance of Smart Cities in the contemporary world (ILOs 2.1 and 4.1.).
In its practical aspect, the course includes a practical work and a group research project. Firstly, the practical work consists of several practical assignments and/or a guided field work. Secondly, limited urban research (group project) will be carried out. More widely, the project has to be developed by groups of few students and should consist in researching and developing a topic of urban studies applied to a specific city.
Teachers will provide regular, in-depth feedback on students' research projects as they progress. The student groups will present their work in class, explaining the difficulties, doubts, problems encountered, and the planning of the final written version of the work. In that regard, before the final delivery, students will have the opportunity to improve their projects by collecting suggestions in class, not only from the teacher, but also from the rest of the students.
The procedure for carrying out the group project is as follows:
a) Identification of groups and topics + cities.
b) Information research (textual, statistical, cartographic).
c) Elaboration and development.
d) Oral presentation in class and reception of suggestions from the teachers and the rest of the students.
e) Incorporation of suggestions.
f) Final Submission.
Generic ILO (Intended Learning Outcomes)
1.1. Review and describe some of the historical, social, political and economic processes and structures that have shaped the world (Building block: Subject-specific skills: supportive sciences).
2.1. Review different approaches to sustainable living and development, and identify their likely impact on stakeholders, regions and diverse communities (Building block: Subject-specific skills: sustainability).
4.1. Review and describe the underlying concepts, principles, academic literature and contemporary issues associated with urban sustainability (Building block: Subject-specific skills: urban sustainability).
6.1. Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems, analysing data and drawing sound conclusions in accordance with basic theories and concepts (Building block: Research skills).
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