MATH 11
The Deluge--Redesigning Sustainable Towns and Cities Winter 2022

This is not the current course catalog

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that without controlling greenhouse gas emissions, the average world temperature will increase, and as a result sea levels are going to rise. What does this mean, and how can we control climate change from the perspective of built environment? In this course we will get familiar with and explore concepts such as energy efficiency, smart societies, circulatory economy, sustainability, renewable energies, building certificates, and building systems, as well as their impacts on built environment. We will also learn how building sustainable communities will help societies to fight climate change, to address social justice issues, and to be more climate resilient, among other benefits. We will use Williams College’s campus as our real-life laboratory. This course is a good fit for everyone, including those interested in social justice, engineering, sustainability, regional development, urban studies, architecture, and arts. Students from different backgrounds are encouraged to enroll. No prior experience needed. The course will be tailored towards students’ interests and will include group work, field trips, and readings. Readings: a book of choice, and at least two academic papers Students are expected to read a book and at least two academic papers. Work load (20 h/week): – In-class meeting time: Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoon (2 x 3 h/week) – Outside-of-class time: reading, group work and independent assignment (14 h/week) – Field trip (mandatory)