Water and Ports, Historic Cities and Landscapes

Offered By: Delft University of Technology via edX

Course Description

Overview

The program Water and Ports, Historic Cities and Landscapes comprises two courses: (Re)Imagining Port Cities and Water Works. The program examines the many factors that will result in the sustainable development of port cities. It lays the foundations for shaping the present and designing the future of historic cities in socially and environmentally acceptable ways. Essentials are an understanding of architectural and urban form and function; respect for history and heritage and connecting with institutional and cultural aspects of the communities with whom decision-making about spatial development must be shared.

The courses focus on themes that are key challenges as identified in the UN SDGs dealing with Water and Cities. The first course applies these to port city regions and the second course to water systems in historic cities and landscapes.

The courses speak to the needs and interests of port and city professionals, water managers, as well as heritage professionals and students of the built environment. Participants in this program will gain advanced insights into the spatial, social and cultural dimensions of water, ports and historic cities internationally. You will use a transdisciplinary and integrated approach towards resolving urban challenges. You will integrate a technology-based vision with social and cultural approaches which support TU Delft’s mission statement: Impact for a Better Society and the goals of the LDE PortCityFutures Centre to increase port city and water awareness. You will experiment with diverse tools to engage multiple stakeholders in developing a greater understanding of the role of water in the design of future cities and landscapes.

Syllabus

Courses under this program:
Course 1: (Re)Imagining Port Cities: Understanding Space, Society and Culture

Port city regions are at the forefront of many urgent contemporary issues such as migration, climate change, digitization, etc. Addressing these challenges and developing sustainable solutions, requires more than technical interventions, it requires rethinking and redesigning the basic spatial and socio-cultural paradigms that prevail at present.

In this course we will analyze examples of port cities from a multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural perspective. You will develop the skills to identify and address the challenges port cities face now and into the future.

Course 2: Water Works: Activating Heritage for Sustainable Development

Explore water systems and apply the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach for tackling the environmental challenges of today.

Courses

0 reviews
6 weeks, 4-5 hours a week, 4-5 hours a week
View details

Port cities are dynamic environments. They face ever-changing challenges and demands from port activities under continually evolving economic and environmental circumstances. They also offer a rich social and cultural environment.

If you are a professional involved in the development and running of port cities this course will offer you a fresh perspective on the complex spatial and socio-cultural relations between ports, cities and regions and between water and land, around the world. This course will provide you with the insights and tools to understand and transform port city regions. By employing a comprehensive cross-cultural perspective you will make better decisions when addressing the challenges port cities face today and when planning for a sustainable and socially just future of your port city in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

If you are a master level student with an interest in a multidisciplinary approach to the development of cities, with a connection to the built and natural environment this course will offer you an insight into the workings of port city development, preparing you better for a possible career in this area.

If you live in a port city this course will help you understand the development of your city, appreciate the hidden potential and help you influence the way your port city deals with issues such as climate change and rising water levels in the future.
0 reviews
6 weeks, 4-5 hours a week, 4-5 hours a week
View details
Water has served and sustained societies throughout history. Understanding the complex and diverse water systems of the past is key to devising sustainable development for the future with regard to socioeconomic structures, policies, and cultures. Today, past systems form the framework for preservation and reuse as well as for new proposals.

In this course, you will learn how to identify the spatial, social and cultural aspects of water heritage in your environment. You will investigate real situations, assess specific issues and evaluate the impact of potential measures, following existing expertise on water heritage and water management traditions as a model for your own practice.

By examining examples of water heritage from around the world, and by interacting with fellow learners, you will learn to implement globally sustainable approaches and tools such as the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Completing this course would be of great benefit to:
- professionals working in water management (such as water boards, water districts or port authorities etc.), heritage, or planning processes that include water related issues;
- master students of urban planning, architecture, heritage, or landscape;
- anyone living in a city or rural area where water management issues occur and with an interest in improving their living environment.

Taught by

Gül Aktürk, Amanda Brandellero, Carola Hein, Stephan Hauser, Maurice Jansen, Rachel Lee, Paolo De Martino, Hilde Sennema, Asma Mehan, Tianchen Dai and Kaiyi Zhu