Assignment topic: Smart Cities, Urban Sustainability
The goal of the assignment is to create an entry into a lexicon – a collection of basic terms – on
“urban sustainability”.
The aims of the assignment are to:
– Learn more in-depth about one aspect of urban sustainability using different sources
– Collect and concisely present information that focuses on the main aspects of the topic
– Have a critical understanding of the topic – its background and critics/limitations if
relevant
– Explore examples from cities around the world
.
Project Guidelines:
The project can be completed alone or in pairs.
Length: 1500-1800 words (plus extra space for illustrations, pictures and the bibliography, as
needed).
Format: pdf document.
The project should include the following sections:
a. A general definition of the topic (using your own wording)
b. An explanation of major aspects of the topic (e.g. different types or categories within the
topic)
c. Examples of how the topic is represented and implemented (e.g. an organization
advancing the topic; indicators or assessment schemes used; city policies)
d. Examples from at least 2 different cities/neighbourhoods where this topic has been
implemented
e. A controversy or challenge about the topic, e.g. are there different definitions? Are there
critics of the concept?
f. Bibliography of sources used (include at least one academic paper)
g. Includes at least 2 graphics/illustrations/photos that help explain the topic
The challenge of the assignment is to present a good and concise summary of the topic,
grounded in reliable sources. Someone who doesn’t know about urban sustainability should be
able to look at the entry and get a simple but thorough introduction to the topic.
Final project grading is based on:
– Content of sections meeting the guidelines (paragraphs (a)-(e) above). Does the project
provide a concise but thorough introduction to the topic? Does it highlight the major
aspects and provide relevant examples?
– Quality of the writing: Is the project clearly written and well organized?
– Sources: Does the project use a variety of sources? Does it draw on reliable sources of
information while developing an original piece of work? Are sources cited consistently
(referred to in the text and included in a bibliography)?
– Graphics, illustrations and photos. Does the project use graphics/tables/charts that
support the text?
