Courses

Cities function as complex and interconnected systems, where policy interventions can produce unintended consequences if their systemic nature is not carefully considered. This course applies a systems approach to analyzing and developing sustainable urban policies, emphasizing the importance of feedback loops, non-linear dynamics, and interdependencies within urban environments.

Key policy questions will be explored, such as: Are additional traffic lanes an effective solution to congestion? How do environmental policies impact low-income communities? Is the sharing economy genuinely beneficial for sustainability? Through qualitative (systems thinking) and quantitative (system dynamics) methods, students will examine policy resistances and identify leverage points that can lead to more effective and sustainable decision-making.

The topics covered in this course will be guided by students' interests, as the systems approach can be applied to a wide range of urban challenges, including transportation, housing, environmental sustainability, and economic development. By the end of the course, students will have developed analytical skills to assess urban policies within a systemic framework, fostering a deeper understanding of cities as dynamic and evolving systems.