Geography 372 - Urban Issues

This course addresses the challenges faced by 21st century cities as the world?s population becomes increasingly urbanized. These challenges are grouped in five themes: water, land, air, built environment and community. The course takes an integrative, geographical, case-study based approach in its exploration of the linkages between these issues and the physical, social, cultural, economic and political aspects of today?s rapidly changing cities. Case studies emphasize, but are not limited to, the experiences of cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where most of the world?s urbanization is taking place today. Course topics vary by year in response to current events but usually include issues such as the privatization of drinking water provision, impacts of natural disasters, brownfields and blighted neighborhoods, air pollution, transportation planning, squatter settlements, and environmental and social justice issues.