There is a growing national and international interest in the topic of "sustainable transportation systems” as characterized by an extensive amount of literature in the form of books, journal articles, technical reports, web pages as well as conferences. The primary objective of this educational initiative is to develop a new course module focused on “sustainable transportation systems” for the “Urban Design” course offered by the Department of Landscape Architecture at URI.
Specifically, this educational initiative has three objectives. (1) Conduct research on the topic of sustainable transportation systems and its planning and design dimensions. (2) Develop the curriculum for the new course module and assemble its class readings, visual materials as well as related web sites. (3) Prepare the class lectures and presentations (using PowerPoint) for the new module in CPL 450.
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Conventional development patterns have caused land use, transportation, and environmental problems in the past. These include: sprawl, diminishing open space, congested roads and long commutes, air pollution, and the deterioration of the natural environment and the quality of life. The concept of “sustainable development” offers a holistic approach for broader examination of environmental, economic, and social equity consequences of conventional development patterns. The concept is now widely accepted and promoted both locally and globally. Sustainability has three components: environment (environmental preservation and regeneration), economy (economic development and vitality), and society (social equity and well being).
As a sub-discipline, “sustainable transportation” provides a platform to reconcile objectives of transportation (human, environmental, economic, technological, social and political) and sustainable development. “Sustainable transportation system” is defined as one that (1) is affordable, operates efficiently, offers choices of transportation mode and supports a vibrant economy; (2) allows the basic access needs of individuals and societies to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health and with equity within and between generations; and (3) limits emissions and waste within the planet’s ability to absorb them, minimizes consumption of non-renewable resources, reuses and recycles its components and minimizes the use of land.
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12/30/2008
$26,474.73
The new course module is proposed for CPL 450 "Urban Design". The course is for upper level undergraduate and graduate students in different departments and colleges. These include: Department of Landscape Architecture, Department of Marine Affairs, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Master of Public Administration, Art Department, and the College of Business Administration.
First, the new course module incorporated in CPL 450 will complement the other two CPL courses that the PI teaches every year. These two courses are: CPL 410 and CPL 538. Second, the new course module in CPL 450 will be complementary to toher transportation and transportation-related courses offered at the University of Rhode Island. These include courses offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Marine Affairs and the College of Business Administration.
The technology transfer will have two components. First, the outcome of this educational initiative would expand the University's course offerings in the area of transportation and its planning and design dimensions. Upper level undergraduate and graduate students would benefit from the course. Specifically, for students in the Department of Landscape Architecture (LAR), lessons learned from the new course module can be used in their LAR design studios. Second, the topic of the proposed new course module complements the URITC theme: "Connectivity through Sustainable Transportation Systems".
The overall outcome of this educational initiative would expand the University’s course offerings in the area of transportation and its planning and design dimensions. Upper level undergraduate and graduate students would benefit from the course. Specifically, for students in the Department of Landscape Architecture (LAR), lessons learned from the new course module can be used in their LAR design studios. Second, the topic of the proposed new course module complements the URITC theme: “Connectivity through Sustainable Transportation Systems”.
Urban design, sustainable transportation