Sustainable Urban Devt in LA

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

Latin America is one of the most urbanized continents on the planet. Some countries are currently at levels of unsustainable urban growth with inequitable access of low-income residents to critical services such as housing, water, sanitation, security, solid waste disposal and basic health and education. In this class we probe the factors behind contemporary trends, the relentless process of rural-urban migration, urban labor force/job stratification issues, impacts of the commodity export economy, the urban informal sector and the problem of socio-spatial exclusion in cities. We also explore how current urban development challenges are intensified by the impacts of climate change such as flooding, especially of coastal cities, salinization of aquifers, drought and vulnerability to natural disasters. We examine historical and urban development trends in the region, from pre-Columbian human settlement to colonial and post- colonial patterns, as we create the backdrop to analyze urbanization and mega-city development, using case studies. While exploring current limitations to sustainable urban development, we will identify municipal and urban policy options and approaches to make cities/mega-cities greener, more sustainable, inclusive and equitable.