CURRICULUM
COURSE CONTENT
UCC provides a broad foundation in urban climate science through a series of classroom lectures, 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.
LECTURES
Introduction to urban climates
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​Overview of urban ecosystems
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Concepts, definitions & classifications
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Methods in urban climatology
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Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification
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History and origins of LCZ scheme
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Measurement, mapping & modelling of LCZs
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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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Urban effects on airflow
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Airflow around buildings & structures
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Airflow across cities
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Urban effects on precipitation & moisture
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Urban water balance
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Rainfall & precipitation
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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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The "electric city" & sustainable urban development
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Climate-sensitive design for cities
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Guiding principles for climate-sensitive design
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Policy solutions for climate mitigation & adaptation
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Urban climatic maps for environmental planning
