Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe

Location: Denmark: Copenhagen; Germany: Freiburg; Sweden: Stockholm; Switzerland: Lucerne

Term: Summer

Dates: July 2012

UC Davis Summer Abroad

University of California, Davis Summer Abroad 207 Third Street, Suite 220 Davis, CA 95616 United States

Description

We will explore several cities within five northern European countries: Stockholm and Malmo, Sweden, Copenhagen, and Odense, Denmark, Hamburg and Freiburg, Germany; and Lucerne, Switzerland; with side trips to Odense or Aero, Denmark, Berlin, and Strasbourg, France.

This course examines principles of sustainability as they apply to urban areas. We will explore innovations such as: compact, mixed use, transit-(and pedestrian) oriented planning; high quality urban design for walkable cities, car-free developments, urban waterfront and brownfield development, bicycle friendly urbanism, alternative housing models, renewable energy sources solar, wind, bio-fuels) and energy efficiency, recycling, reuse and reduction in solid waste, innovations in heating and cooling at the district scale, storm water management, natural areas restoration and preservation as part of the urban fabric, and similar topics that require a policy, planning and urban design response. Students will learn sustainable measures; to quickly read cities and recognize how they function; gain insights into how European communities have embraced sustainable concepts; and gain insights into how to translate these lessons to U.S. cities.

In each community, we will:
(1) take a walking (and biking) tour of key parts of the city;
(2) take specialized tours of innovative places, neighborhoods, and facilities often by testing local public transit or energy facilities;
(3) learn from local officials and scholars about the country, region or community's efforts; and
(4) complete a series of hands on field exercises in urban design and sustainable planning. Students will keep a journal, do a series of visual and mapping exercises, and develop a substantial paper on a sustainability topic of the student's choice.

COURSES:
* Landscape Architecture 191 (4 units or 8 units) - Workshop in Landscape Architecture
Faculty initiated workshops featuring advanced studies and applications of original work in landscape architecture.
AND
* Environmental Science and Policy 173 (4 units or 0 units) - Land Use and Growth Controls
Exposes students to the economic, political and legal factors affecting land use and growth controls, and helps students critically evaluate written materials in terms of their arguments and supporting data.

Highlights

Tentative Itinerary
- Stockholm, Sweden (8 nights)
- Malmo, Sweden (3 nights)
- Copenhagen, Denmark (4 nights)
- Odense, Denmark (2 nights)
- Aero, Denmark (1 night)
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (5 nights)
- Freiburg, Germany (with side day-trips to Strasbourg, France & Lucerne, Switzerland) (7 nights)

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Cost in US$:

TBA. Please contact us for more details.

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

Fees for UC Davis Summer Abroad include:
- Program Fee (USD 750)
- Course Unit Fee (approx. USD 287 per unit * 8 units)
- Accommodations & Activities Fee (varies by program, USD 950 - 4250)
- Summer Campus Fee (USD 290)

Fees subject to change; please visit the UC Davis Summer Abroad program webpage or contact UC Davis Summer Abroad for the most up-to-date information concerning program costs. Programs start around USD 5,000.

Credit Available

no

Experience Required

yes

    To be eligible to participate in a UC Davis Summer Abroad program, you must: -be 18 years or older -have completed 15 accredited college units -be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher -be in good disciplinary standing with your academic institution
This Program is open to

American Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Disciplinary Clearance Form
  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Transcript
Typically The Application Process Time is
4-5 weeks
Post Services Include
  • Alumni Network
  • Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
UC Davis Summer Abroad's Mission Statement

UC Davis Summer Abroad programs offer students short but intense academic courses that are complemented with a wealth of cultural activities. The courses are structured in such a way that students gain knowledge not only in the classroom, but also from experiential learning that takes advantage of the program site. All of our programs are built around UC Davis courses and are led by UC Davis faculty. Many provide opportunities for students to visit non-English speaking countries while doing their coursework in English. Our class sizes are limited, generally enrolling from 18-30 students, thus allowing us to create intimate learning communities overseas. Programs are open to all students outside the UC system, alumni and professionals.

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