CRP405 NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR CITIES
| Course Code: | 1210405 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (2.00 - 2.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 5.0 |
| Department: | City and Regional Planning |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The United Nations declared 2021 to 2030 as a Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, followed by responses from the countries in their policy documents and actions. In order to provide sustainable urban generation and sustainable land use change, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and green infrastructure are identified as the primary instruments for action in urban areas. NbS is also considered a practical approach for climate change adaptation and resilience.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of Nature Based Solutions (NbS) as solutions to urban challenges such as disasters. It covers various aspects such as, disaster prevention and resilience, ecosystem-based adaptation, green infrastructure planning, water management and emerging trends in the field. The objective is to empower students with the necessary knowledge and abilities to conceptualize and execute Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects in urban settings, thereby fostering the development of more sustainable and resilient cities. Students will be tasked with crafting an NbS project tailored to address a specific disaster scenario, which they will then present before a panel of judges including representatives from funding institutions such as UNDP, STGM, Embassies, etc. It will also be aimed to secure funding for the most promising project through this cooperation.
Course Content
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for cities. It covers essential topics including biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure planning, water management, disaster prevention and resilience, policy and governance, and emerging trends in the field. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skilis needed to design and implement NBS projects in urban areas, enhancing City sustainability and resilience against climate change. By the end of the course, students will work in groups and develop project proposals to be presented to a funding institution. The projects will be on NbS to an urban challenge including issues such as biodiversity conservation, land degradation neutrality, disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction, water management, public health improvement and resource efficiency.
Course Learning Outcomes
The students are expected to comprehend the impacts of climate change in urban areas, as well as the benefits of nature-based solutions. Additionally, the process of project development will be covered extensively to help students practice implementing NbS in cities.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Knowledge and internalization of the concepts of social responsibility and public interest | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Giving priority to these concepts in planning and practice | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Commitment to professional ethics and values | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Capacity to independently carry out individual tasks and studies | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Ability to work as a responsible team member as well as a leader in team works | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Professional competency to carry out plans and projects with the utmost quality | ✔ | |||
| 7 | In the fields of planning and design: * Knowledge of planning theories * Ability to integrate theory and practice * Competency in problem definition, critical approach, and usage of analysis methods and techniques * Skills of inter-disciplinary and multi-dimensional thinking, analysis, synthesis, implementation, and development of alternative plans and design solutions | ✔ | |||
| 8 | In both Turkish and English: * Knowledge of professional terminology * Ability to carry out and present original studies * Skills of expressing oneself | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Lifelong learning skills and attributes | ✔ | |||
| 10 | Competency in process design and management | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution