Course Syllabus

Course Overview

 

Urbanization has been associated with increasing energy use and related GHG emissions and climate vulnerabilities. Yet, in the USA and other parts of the world, urban energy systems have been a taken-for-granted infrastructure system, outside the realm of urban planning.  Due to climate change risks, the demand for an “energy transition”, and threats of “peak energy use” however, these systems are coming under increasingly intense scrutiny.  Understanding and planning for urban energy may be one of the most important tasks for planners in the future.  This class explores urban energy systems, their components, development pathways, transitions, and related planning issues.   

 

Course description and learning objectives

 

This class introduces students to concepts and issues related to planning for urban energy systems.  Initial lectures explore the components, inputs, flows, impacts, and vulnerabilities of energy systems.  We use this framework for analytical purposes to examine urban and metropolitan energy systems.  The course will cover an introduction to the trends and current state of urban energy systems in developed and developing cities, transitions in energy systems, vulnerabilities and adaptation and mitigation theories and practices. We end with a discussion of plausible urban energy futures

 

The learning objectives for the course include student’s ability to:

• Identify and describe components of urban energy systems (both infrastructure and social aspects)
• Explain shifts in urban energy systems and energy use through the use of the concept of energy transitions
• Describe the effects of climate change on energy system components
• Evaluate contemporary local energy planning and policy related to climate change vulnerability and mitigation
• Synthesize current urban energy system trends and states as the basis for projecting future challenges

 

Student evaluations

Evaluations are based upon:

• Class attendance and participation. Participation in class discussions is vital for learning. As mentioned, a significant portion of class time is devoted to discussion of readings and class lectures. 10%.
• The completion of four further assignments.
  1. Students are required to present on a specific critical urban energy issue once during the semester (15-minute presentation and 10-minute discussion). Students may work alone or in groups depending upon the size of the class and student interest in the topic. Expectations are to bring experiences or specific interests of a critical issue to the class.  Presentations should last about 15-20 minutes 15%.
  2. Students will prepare two short policy briefs based upon, or related to any topic directly covered during the course. The policy briefs will be due during the second and third months of the semester (February and March) (~1000 words) 20%.
  3. The students are required to submit a final paper which is due at the end of the semester. The final paper should be approximately ~3,000 - 5,000 words including bibliography, tables, and charts.  The paper could include a case study of an individual city’s urban energy system, or an overview of a particularly important issue for all cities at the national, regional or global scales (i.e., infrastructure transitions to urban energy sustainability) 40%.
  4. During the semester, short lectures, given by the instructor, on aspects of writing the final paper with short assignments. These assignments will be peer-reviewed by other students for critical feedback. All students are required to submit material and peer review at least one other student’s work.  The assignments are directly related to the student research project final papers.  Examples of assignments include topic sentences, the research question, the literature review, an annotated bibliography, data sources, methods, paper outline, etc., 5%.
  5. Students will present their final papers to the entire class on the last class of the semester. 10%.

 

Percent of

Class activity                                                             final grade     Due date                   

Class participation                                                   10%               Throughout

Assignment 1 – Class energy presentation         15%                Once a semester    

Assignment 2 – Individual policy briefs                20%                (February & March)

Assignment 3 – Low-risk paper parts                     5%                Throughout

Assignment 4 – Final paper                                   40%                1 week after last class

Assignment 5 – Paper presentation                     10%                Last class

 

Class Policies

You are expected to come to class on time and be prepared to speak on the day’s topic.  Topics are only covered once, so if you miss class, you miss an important learning opportunity and other members of the class miss your contribution. Engagement with your peers is an important part of the course. In addition, you will have the opportunity both to present before your peers and to respond to their presentations in small group work. If you need to miss a class for any reason, please discuss the absence with me in advance.

 

Participation and attendance

You are expected to complete all assigned readings, attend all class sessions, and engage with others in online discussions. Your participation will require that you answer questions, defend your point of view, and challenge the point of view of others. If you need to miss a class for any reason, please discuss the absence with me in advance.

 

Citations and Submissions

All written assignments must, cite sources, and have full bibliographic references.  Papers cannot be solely based on newspaper or website references.  Each paper must have at least 15 references, three-quarters of which must come from scholarly journals, books, and or government reports.  All assignments will be submitted to the course Canvas website (not via email)

 

Readings

All readings will be provided on Canvas or through citations that can be found in the Columbia University library. 

 

Office hours

I am available for discussion most Thursdays.   I do not, however, have an office here on campus, so we will meet in common spaces at Columbia.  Note that while I respond to email as promptly as possible, if you send me an email late on Friday I may not respond until Monday.  

 

Academic integrity

Columbia University regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The University is committed to enforcing its Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Academic Integrity Procedures.  Plagiarism, dishonesty, or cheating in any portion of the work required for this course will be punished to the full extent allowed according to Columbia University College regulations.

Tentative subject titles

1. Introduction to the course
2. Climate change and drivers of energy transitions
3. The global energy system 1 (physical infrastructure)
4. The global energy system 2 (wealth, population and environmental justice)
5. Urban energy infrastructure
6. Urban energy equity issues
7. Urban energy infrastructure vulnerability to climate change
8. Urban energy social vulnerability to climate change
9. Urban energy adaptation
10. Urban energy GHG emissions
11. Urban energy mitigation
12. Urban energy systems, climate change and the future
13. Student presentations