Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
51013:Sustainable Urban Policy Ⅴ (P) 2024 Spring Thu4 College　Of　Policy　Science UEHARA TAKURO 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AC248

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course applies a systems approach to sustainable urban policies. Cities are complex systems where everything is directly or indirectly connected. The complexity of cities is characterized by, for example, feedback loops and non-linear dynamics. Policies should consider the “systemness” within a city, otherwise, a policy to resolve a problem could initiate another somewhere else. Are additional traffic lanes effective in solving traffic jams? Does improving environmental quality benefit low-income households? Is the sharing economy environment-friendly? The systems approach is concerned with such policy issues by using qualitative (systems thinking) and/or quantitative (system dynamics) methods. By employing these methods, we could identify policy resistances and leverage points, which help us make better decisions. The topics to cover in class are open to the interest of students, as the systems approach can be used in any problem in cities as a system.

[IMPORTANT!!!]
It is strongly recommended that Vensim PLE is installed on your computer (free for educational use at https://vensim.com/vensim-personal-learning-edition/), as you are expected to work on your project outside the class.

Student Attainment Objectives

The goals of this course are:
1) to acquire the skills in systems thinking and system dynamics,
2) to be able to apply these skills to analyze urban sustainability issues and,
3) to be able to make policies related to urban sustainability.

Since this course uses free software (Vensim PLE, https://vensim.com/), students could continue using the systems approach in other classes and for their theses.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Although there are no pre-requisites, basic mathematics is advantageous.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Introduction

Course overview; Sample cases

2-4

Systems Thinking

Mental models; Elements of the system; Causal loop diagrams; System archetypes; Policy resistance; Leverage points

5

Preparation session

Building a qualitative system model using causal loop diagrams

6,7

Presentations

Student presentations and discussions of their causal loop diagrams

8-12

System Dynamics

Modeling basics; Case studies; Building models

13

Preparation session

Building a quantitative system model using system dynamics

14,15

Presentations

Student presentations and discussions of their system dynamics models and policy implications

Class Format

It will be a face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are encouraged to study outside class to advance their projects.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Class participation; Two in-class presentations along with presentation materials

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Although it depends on how quickly you acquire modeling skills, you may need to spend significant time outside class.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
System dynamics methods Kirkwood, C.W. http://www.public.asu.edu/~kirkwood/sysdyn/SDIntro/SDIntro.htm

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Relevant journal articles and reports will be provided in class.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Thinking in Systems: A Primer Meadows, Donella. Chelsea Green Publishing
Can a City Be Sustainable? The Worldwatch Institute Island Press
Systems Thinking For Social Change: A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results Stroh, David Peter Chelsea Green Publishing
Business dynamics: systems thinking and modeling for a complex world Sterman, J.D. Irwin/McGraw-Hill Boston

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

Vensim PLE
http://vensim.com/

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Talk with Students

Other Comments

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URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html