Sustainable Cities Field Study

Summer 2006
Last two weeks of May & third week of August

Location

Northern Europe / Mexico

Eligibility

Graduate students in all departments.

Focus of Study

Sustainable Cities / Green Urbanism

Program Description

Cities around the world face tremendous environmental and social challenges. At the same time they offer, through creative green city design and living, the best hope for a sustainable future. This field study will examine the experiences of cities in Northern Europe and in Mexico in advancing an urban sustainability agenda. The first stage of the trip will take place in May and will involve travel to leading edge cities in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. Here students will learn first-hand about a variety of innovative and successful efforts at urban greening, renewable energy, ecological building practices, and innovative transport strategies, among others. The second stage of the field study will entail travel to Mexico in August, and will specifically focus on the experiences and challenges of achieving sustainability in two cities: Mexico City and Oaxaca. The Mexican portion of the field study will expose students to the challenges of sustainability in a large “mega-city” (Mexico City) and in balancing unique local cultures and place with the forces of economic progress and growth (Oaxaca). Together these two trips will provide a powerful comparative understanding of the promise and potential of sustainable cities (as well as inherent difficulties in bringing them about) in profoundly different cultural and economic settings.

Cost

Estimated costs for the Northern European leg of the trip (ten days) is approximately $1,600 including airfare, at least one high-speed train trip, food, and hotel, assuming double-occupancy. Estimated costs for the Mexican leg (seven days) would be an estimated $1,150 per student. Total costs for both legs is approximately $2,750.

For further information concerning this program, please contact Mr. Tim Beatley at the School of Architecture in 109 Campbell Hall, 924.6457, tb6d@virginia.edu.