Course content

Climate change and sustainability is the grand challenges of our time. Especially our built environments such as cities, villages, buildings and infrastructures must transition to handle a new climate, while also change so as to reach the sustainability goals. Sustainable climate transition will mean changes in the technological infrastructure that cities, villages and countryside is made up of, and bring changes to our homes, our work and our lifestyles, in consumption and in established practices. When new and more environmentally friendly technologies are to replace existing technologies, while other technologies are adapted to new demands and social practices, it demands knowledge not only about technology, but also the contexts they are embedded in. This also includes the humans that are part of these contexts. In order to succeed with such transitions knowledge about the relation between technology and societal development is necessary.

This course will introduce the students to perspectives on green buildings, planning, urban development and changes in infrastructure in order to understand how present day buildings, villages, cities and infrastructures have been made, and have affected the ways we live. A central point being to develop knowledge about the sustainable transition we are facing. Local controversies are common in sustainable transitions. Between the technological possibilities and the visions for new practices, local democracies are central for ensuring sustainable social development. The course will therefore also expand on what causes polarisation and exclusion, and what can strengthen local democracy and participation when existing technologies, practices, processes and routines are challenged by climate change and sustainable transitions to a more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable society.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidates have knowledge about

• central visions for a sustainable future
• how current built envronments and infrastructures were made
• how changes in built environments and lifestyles affect each other
• how to strenghten local democracies in processes of change
• controversies that can arise in societal planning and technological development

Skills

The candidates

• can use relevant concepts and theories to explain and understand how existing practices, processes and routines can become more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable
• has knowledge about examples of measures that can refocus from individual transition efforts to broader transitions
• can reflect critically over the role of the public sector in sustainable transitions and what kind of methods there is need for, also in regards to inclusion

General competence

The candidates can

• understand how practices, processes and routines can be affected to become more socially, environmentally and economically sustainable
• understands inclusive transition and efforts that works against polarisation in sustainable development
• participate in processes where sustainable change are designed, planned, developed, maintained and used

Learning methods and activities

The teaching is in the form of lectures, discussions and group work. Some preparation before each gattering must be assumed. During the course, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own experieces and challenges in their organization or workplace.

Compulsory assignments

• Two compulsory assignments

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

See the description of the master programme in organization and management.

Course materials

To be announced

Credit reductions