CURRICULUM
COURSE CONTENT
UCC provides a broad foundation in urban climate science through a series of classroom lectures, group discussions, lab exercises, and field excursions. Interconnecting these activities is an underlying emphasis on methodological standards in urban climatology, relating to proper siting of meteorological sensors in urban areas, and appropriate use of urban design strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation. Upon completion of UCC, participants are able to evaluate the quality and purpose of climate data in their own projects, and to think critically about the established methods and results in the urban climate literature.
CLASSROOM LECTURES
Introduction to urban climatology
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​Overview of urban ecosystems
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Concepts and classifications
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Urban climate methods
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Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification
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Aims, origins, and applications of LCZs
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Measuring, mapping & modelling LCZs
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Recognising LCZs in the field
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Urban effects on temperature
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Urban heat island—atmosphere
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Urban heat island—surface
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Implications of urban heat
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Urban effects on airflow
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Airflow around buildings & structures
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Airflow across cities & neighbourhoods
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Airflow effects on pollution concentrations
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Urban effects on water, moisture, and precipitation
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Urban water balance
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Clouds and rainfall
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Dew, fog & humidity
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Cities and global climate change
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Urban impacts on global climate
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Greenhouse gas emissions from cities
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Global climate change in urban environments
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Metabolism of megacities
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Size and complexity of megacities
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Compact vs. sprawling megacities
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Global geography of megacities
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Climate-sensitive urban design
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Guiding principles for climate-sensitive design
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Design interventions for climate mitigation & adaptation
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Urban climatic maps for environmental planning
LABORATORY & FIELD EXERCISES
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Taking a recognition quiz with Local Climate Zones
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Using Google Earth to identify LCZs worldwide
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Analysing air temperature data for heat island effects
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Conducting a field survey with thermal infrared sensors
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Visiting an air-pollution and air-monitoring field site
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Designing a network of urban meteorological sensors
COURSE MATERIALS
