African cities : An Introduction to Urban Planning (Coursera)

The course is provided by the Urban and Regional community at the Swiss Federal Insitute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).

Syllabus

Week 1

Introduction to African Cities and Urban Planning (Part I)

The state of urbanized zones. What are the big issues and challenges? A first approach to urban planning.

Week 2

Introduction to African Cities and Urban Planning (Part 2)

Following the first week, we will continue to explore African cities by their issues, the challenges they represent, and the urban models which they are issued.

Week 3

Urban Themes

Urban planning relies on tools in order to organize transportation, amenities, spaces, and housing. The result is a channeling of urban forms.

Week 4

Urban Functions

Here we will learn to establish subdivisions step by step.

Week 5

Urban Planning and its Tools

Cities finance themselves; They require resources which are acquired through diverse means.

Week 6

The Future of Cities, or How to Plan?

Combating climate change and changing our manners of making the city.

Week 7

Tool and Methods

Governing contemporary African cities.

Week 8

The Actions of Operational Urbanism : Subdivisions

The zones which are the most important in contemporary African cities are subdivisions, so we will dedicate an entire week covering it.

Week 9

The Actions of Operational Urbanism: Restructuring and Urban Projects

This week, we will plunge into the heart of precarious zones in trying to understand their role in the city.

Week 10

The Costs and Funding of Cities

Financing of the city, addressing, and land registry.

Week 11

Governance: Which Partnerships?

This week will be composed of a first part dealing with methodology and a second part on urban governance.

Week 12

Conclusions

Measuring the real impact of planning on urban functions; Synthesis and reminders; Conclusions