Imagine stepping into the complex world of cities, where every street, building, and service is part of a vast, interconnected system that drives the daily lives of millions. This course invites you to explore how cities are measured, offering a deep dive into the tools and methods used to quantify urban life. You'll learn to navigate the strengths and limitations of various metrics, grappling with challenges like data collection costs and the integrity of information. Starting with foundational statistical analysis, you'll gain hands-on experience calculating and applying metrics to compare cities across Canada, North America, and the globe. From evaluating city services and public health to assessing environmental sustainability and economic vitality, this course equips you with the skills to analyze and understand the factors that make cities thrive—or falter—on the world stage.

Instructor: Shoshanna Saxe

This course takes you on a journey through the evolution of the world’s greatest cities, exploring how their forms and functions have shaped urban economic growth and the accumulation of wealth. By delving into diverse economic theories, you’ll uncover the intricate dynamics that drive cities forward. Topics include value theory, the quantification of urban wealth, the microeconomics of real estate markets, and the critical infrastructure that underpins competitive financial centers. You'll also explore the macroeconomic factors influencing urban form, growth theory, and the application of evolutionary economics to urban systems. Through the lens of both current and historical urban developments, the course examines how infrastructure planning and management impact the economic vitality and overall health of cities.

In the 21st century, tackling societal and engineering challenges demands a holistic approach, where engineers must consider not just the technical aspects but also the broader systems they help shape. This course delves into the critical intersection between public policy and civil engineering, revealing how policy decisions influence which projects are prioritized and the values—such as cost, aesthetics, environmental impact, safety, and equity—that are optimized in engineering practice. Despite the profound impact of public policy on engineering, many engineers lack a deep understanding of its drivers and development processes, just as many policymakers are unfamiliar with the applied science of engineering. This gap is particularly evident in urban environments, where civil engineering projects like transportation, housing, and water services are concentrated, and where the policies of multiple levels of government in Canada intersect with engineering practice. Through this seminar course, engineers will be challenged to explore how public policy is crafted and how it shapes the practice of engineering, both directly and indirectly, in the complex landscape of urban development.

Instructor: Eric J. Miller

Cities, as famously described by Jane Jacobs in 1961, are "problems in organized complexity." This course delves into this profound concept, exploring its far-reaching implications for urban engineering and management. You’ll begin with an introduction to complex systems theory, setting the stage for an in-depth examination of cities as multifaceted systems—physical, economic, social, and beyond. The course will compare holistic and reductionist approaches to developing a "science of cities," offering insights into how we can plan and design urban spaces amid complexity. You’ll grapple with the challenges of sustainable design and learn to navigate decision-making under uncertainty, all within the dynamic, interconnected fabric of urban life. Through this exploration, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the intricate forces that shape our cities and the innovative strategies needed to manage them effectively.