Academic Year/course:
2022/23
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
69759 - Urban development
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2022/23
Subject:
69759 - Urban development
Faculty / School:
100 - Facultad de Ciencias
Degree:
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
01
Semester:
Second semester
Subject Type:
Optional
Module:
---
1.1. Aims of the course
The Urban Development course is designed to apply the principles of Circular Economy to city management.
These approaches and aims are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the learning results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to a certain extent to its achievement.
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
The Urban Development course is taught in the second semester as an optional subject in the scientific-technical module. It is designed for students with Science or Engineering degrees. The subject is taught from the University of Lleida.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
Regular use of the teaching platform and daily study of the concepts presented are recommended, with special emphasis on solving practical activities. Likewise, it is vital to consult the doubts and questions that pose difficulties in the teaching and learning process, for which personalised tutorials should be used.
2.1. Competences
BASIC COMPETENCES
CB6 - Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding that is founded upon and extends and/or enhances that typically associated with the first cycle, and that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.
CB7 - Can apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
CB8 - Have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information, but that include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
CB9 - Can communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and nonspecialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
CB10 - Have the learning skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GENERAL COMPETENCES
CG1 - Obtain information in Spanish and English using information technologies efficiently
CG2 - Manage, critically analyse and synthesise information
CG3 - Critically reflect in a systemic way and using causal relationships
CG4 - Formulate, analyse, evaluate and compare in a multidisciplinary way new or alternative solutions for different problems
CG5 - Work in interdisciplinary groups
CG6 - Transmit information efficiently through information and communication technologies
CG7 - Develop management skills (decision making, goal setting, problem definition, design, and evaluation)
CG8 - Properly manage available resources on time
2.2. Learning goals
The student, passing this subject, achieves the following results:
1. Know the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development and to be able to apply them to urban planning (eco-city).
2. Know the main elements and parameters of urban metabolism and the main causes of its degradation.
3. Know the techniques and criteria for the implementation of the Circular Economy in cities and its impact.
4. Be able to apply the criteria and techniques of the Circular Economy "cradle to cradle" to urban planning and management and construction.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
Obtaining the learning results is essential to apply the principles of the Circular Economy to the management of cities.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
The course will be evaluated using two assessment methods (continuous and global), so that the student will be assigned the grade that is most beneficial to him. For this, the grades obtained in the following tests will be used:
* Report (rated as I). The report will consist of a memory on a topic related to the subject or the critical analysis of a research or dissemination article. The structure and format of the required reports will be communicated to students through moodle. The reports will be sent to the teacher electronically.
* Public presentation of a group project on a topic related to the subject. The structure and format of the project will be communicated to students through moodle. The project will be presented in the form of a memory and public presentation in videoconference or in the format that is stipulated most convenient for the development of the subject (P).
* Resolution of problems and cases (C). The resolution of these exercises constitutes a work, of continuous evaluation of detail of the subjects of the subject. They can be individual or in a group. Students must deliver the results of these exercises biweekly following the guidelines and presentation format that will be marked during the development of the different topics that make up the signature. The total of the qualifications of these exercises will add 25% of the total note.
In the event that a student cannot follow the continuous assessment, a single assessment test will be carried out consisting of short questions, orally, and quick problems, via Moodle, on the subjects of the subject (F). The test will be held simultaneously at each university under conditions that guarantee the proper identification of students and the impossibility of fraud in them.
The grades obtained by each student in the aforementioned evaluation activities will be weighted according to the following formulas:
Formula 1:
Final mark of the course: 0.25 × I + 0.5 × P + 0.25 × C
Formula 2:
Final grade for the course: F
It is not necessary to achieve minimum marks in the evaluation tests for the application of the above formulas. The final grade for the course will be the best grade obtained in each case after applying formula 1 and formula 2.
The number of official exam sessions to which enrollment entitles (2 per enrollment) as well as the consumption of these calls will be adjusted to the Rules of Permanence in Master's Studies and the Rules of Learning Assessment of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/normativas-asuntos-academicos). To this last regulation, the general criteria for the design of the tests and the grading system will also be adjusted, and according to the same, the time, place and date on which the review will be held when publishing the qualifications will be made public.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
Learning in this subject is based on the combination of expository method and flipped classroom. According to the expository method, the professor develops the presentation of the topics before the students present in the same classroom or other universities through videoconference. In addition, other teaching materials will be included in the Moodle platform that will allow dedicating some of the classes to interact with students, posing questions that allow relating concepts.
Problem-Based Learning is an instructional and learning-oriented educational approach in which students tackle real problems in small groups and under the supervision of a tutor.
To solve exercises and problems, exercises and problems will be assigned to students, which must solve individually. The workshop consists of a supervised session where students work individually or in groups and receive assistance and guidance when necessary from the teaching staff.
The approach, methodology and evaluation of this guide are prepared to be the same in any teaching scenario. They will be adjusted to the socio-sanitary conditions of each moment, as well as to the indications given by the competent authorities.
4.2. Learning tasks
This is a 6 ECTS credits course organised as follows:
- Lectures (1.6 ECTS credits: 16 hours). Whole group sessions of 100 minutes each one will be taken. Lecturers explain the theoretical contents and solve representative applied problems. Learning materials will be available on the virtual platform Moodle (https://moodle.unizar.es/add/course/view.php?id=42063&lang=en). Regular attendance is highly recommended.
- Practice sessions (4.4 ECTS credits: 44 hours, including 8 face-to-face hours). The preparation of a report on a topic related to the subject or the critical analysis of a research or dissemination article will be required.
- Autonomous work and study (8.4 ECTS credits: 84 hours). Students are expected to study theory.
Assessment tasks (0.6 ECTS credits: 6 hours). A final written examination including short answer and problem-solving questions will be carried out.
4.3. Syllabus
1. Sustainability and sustainable development.
2. Circular Architecture and Construction.
2.1. Materials cycle.
2.2. Water cycle.
2.3. Energy cycle.
2.4. Social dimension. Habitability. Collaborative housing (cohousing).
3. Circular urbanism.
3.1. Ecocities.
3.2. Urban metabolism.
3.3. Urban logistics.
3.4. Nature-based solutions.
3.4.1. Urban ecosystem services.
3.4.2. Urban green infrastructure: Green roofs and facades.
3.4.3. Urban and peri-urban horticulture.
3.4.4. Urban forests.
3.4.5. Monitoring of urban development for the evaluation of environmental effects.
3.4.6. Characterisation of urban development in the urban-forest interface.
3.4.7. Adaptation strategies to natural risks and urban design.
3.5. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).
3.5.1. Water reuse.
3.6. Urban-rural dialogue
3.6.1. Macroprojects as a form of development. Involvement in land management.
3.6.2. Relationship between economic model and biodiversity.
3.6.3. New urban needs. New businesses around “nature”.
4.4. Course planning and calendar
Information on schedules, calendar, and exams is published on the Master's page on the website of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/master-en-economia-circular). The presentation of reports will be carried out according to the calendar that will be announced in due course through the Moodle page of the course.