Sustainable Transportation Networks and Streetscapes (Coursera)

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Survey and evaluate thoroughfare network considerations for connectivity, block size and sidewalk interaction.

2. Compare different complete street design options for application in smart growth planning.

3. Evaluate sidewalk design and planning strategies for public and private sidewalks to include street tree configurations and street light design.

4. Examine issues of water management with specialized curb design, ground water recharge areas and swales as part of the streetscape design and planning.

5. Identify and evaluate the differences between free-flow, slow-flow, and yield-flow thoroughfare design concepts.

6. Assess and evaluate smart urban planning, growth, and lifestyle indicators.

The target audience for this course includes:

- Government Officials involved planning, designing, monitoring, enforcement, and assessment of sustainable project developments at the local, state, and federal level.

- Private sector companies in the transportation and municipal design and construction business

- Architects interested in advancing sustainable concepts for cities and communities

- Foundations, associations, and other NGOs that support smart growth strategies

- Academic faculty and students studying and researching community sustainability and resilience

- Private citizens interested in improving their communities and living conditions

Course 3 of 4 in the Sustainable Cities Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Sustainable Transportation Thoroughfares, Networks and Smart Urban Planning, Growth, and Lifestyle

The importance of sustainable city thoroughfares designed to interconnect into a hierarchical network is introduced. The largest thoroughfares allow for direct connection to the urban center. Analysis of smart urban planning growth and lifestyles is also discussed.

WEEK 2

Transportation Thoroughfare Design and Equable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities

Neighborhoods typically have a range of thoroughfare types to facilitate the movement of people through the neighborhood. Sustainable smart growth neighborhoods are designed to equitably allow pedestrians, bicycles, and the automobiles to move within the community. This module will evaluate a variety of techniques and policies that encourage this balanced multimodal use of transportation thoroughfares.

WEEK 3

Sustainable Streetscapes, Storm Water Management, and Environmental Enhancement.

Sustainable public streetscapes are much more than just a part of the infrastructure to facilitate the movement of automobiles. In addition to the vehicular lanes, they must include sidewalks, trees, curbs, lighting, and other elements that collectively constitute a sustainable public streetscape. Public streetscapes require careful design attention to contribute to a successful neighborhood. This requires a full range of regional appropriateness that corresponds to the transect. Private streetscapes are an extension of the public streetscape but relate specifically to the private sector building configuration and frontage design. Successful private sector streetscapes can include properly sized porches students, terraces, balconies, that enhance activity to the street.