Module: Sustainable Cities

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Sustainable Cities
Module Code	GEO1001 (ITS: GY112)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

By 2050, the United Nations estimates that ~68% of the global population will be living in urban areas or cities. In this context, the environmental fragility of cities and urban areas caused by increased urbanisation has generated extensive efforts to promote the sustainability of urban ecosystems and physical infrastructures. We are now said to live in an ‘urban age,’ but what does this mean, and how does this inform and impact sustainability? This module introduces students to urban geography, with an overview of the different ways urban regions have developed and function around the world. From this general understanding, the course provides an overview of how urban sustainability is understood, measured, and pursued – with a particular focus on economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The course will illustrate different aspects of urban sustainability through a variety of global contexts and empirical case studies. Students will be supported to apply their global understanding of urban sustainability to the context of Dublin through field trips and practical assessments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Characterise the global geography of cities using a regional approach
2. Identify key urbanisation trends and current policy agendas guiding urban development globally
3. Understand the opportunities and challenges surrounding sustainable urbanisation
4. Analyse systems through the sustainability pillars of society, environment and economy – with a focus on cities as the system of concern.
5. Recognise how approaches to urban sustainability can differ across contexts
6. Make innovative recommendations for achieving a more sustainable world now and into the future.
7. Effectively communicate a vision for desirable future outcomes.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Scheduled lectures / seminars and practicals
Assignment Completion	8	Participation in hackathon event
Group work	40	Preparation, research and completion of group and Individual work
Independent Study	106	Independent reading, expansion on in-class material and completion of practical exercises
Total Workload: 190

Section Breakdown
CRN	20403	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	50%	Examination Weight	50%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kathleen Stokes	Module Teacher	Darren Clarke, Ruth McManus

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Sustainable city profile & comparative assessment	25%	n/a
Group assignment	Dublin sustainability article	25%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Students will be introduced to key concepts, issues and challenges specifically related to urban sustainability.
This will build on the GEO1000 module content and learnings developed in semester one.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None