Base Knowledge
The scientific domain of this curricular unit is very comprehensive, focusing on environmental, public health, engineering, planning, etc. In this sense, basic knowledge is not recommended beyond the knowledge presumably acquired along the academic path leading to the academic degree in the scientific domains eligible to satisfy the access conditions to the master’s or postgraduate course in which this curricular unit is inserted.
Teaching Methodologies
The teaching methodology is based on theoretical-practical classes in which, after exposing the main theoretical concepts, regulations or platforms, students are invited to debate the subject through the discussion of practical and real examples. Group work is encouraged through the presentation of research topics, and the oral presentation of the main results is mandatory.
Learning Results
It is expected that, at the end of the course, student will be able to:
– know the main natural resources and the main methodologies for their management and conservation;
– identify the main urban environmental problems as well as the limit or target values established in the main national and international legal instruments;
– use the main national and international digital platforms for providing environmental information;
– identify the main solutions for adaptation and mitigation in an urban environment, highlighting their valences and limitations depending on the problem under analysis;
– understand the main legal instruments that guarantee environmental quality and the sustainability of the built environment.
Program
Integrated management of natural resources. Definition of natural resource and notion of natural capital.
Green City Concept
Urban environmental problems: air pollution, noise, CO2, watercourse pollution, visual pollution, acid rain, thermal inversion, heat islands, waste, erosion. Impact on human health.
Green and blue infrastructures in the control and mitigation of urban problems.
Examples of projects and main lessons.
“Green” solutions built: bio-architecture (green roofs and walls), green spaces and paths, urban forests and farms, green belts)
Notions of environmental justice and environmental quality
Curricular Unit Teachers
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
EEA (2015). Exploring nature-based solutions. The role of green infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of weather- and climate change-related natural hazard. European Environmental Agency report 12/2015.
EEA (2020). Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe. EEA Report No 21/2019. European Environment Agency.
Fadigas, L. (2020). Urbanização, espaços verdes e sustentabilidade. Edições Sílabo.
IPCC (2021). Climate Change 2021. The physical science basis. Six assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. United Nations Environment Program.
Landreth, RE and Rebers PA (eds) (1996). Municipal Solid Wastes – Problems and Solutions. Lewis Publishers, CRC Press, USA.
Mooy, J. de (2016). Green Infrastrucutre Primer. A Delaware guide to using natural systems in urban, rural and coastal settings.
Perman, R., Ma, Y., McGilvray, J., Common, M. (2003). Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, 3rd Edition. Pearson Education Limited
Prüss-Ustün, A.; Wolf, J.; Corvalán, C.; Bos, R.; Neira, M. (2016). Preventing disease through healthy environments. World Health Organisation.
Wang, Y., Bakker, F., Groot, R. de, Wörtche, H. (2014). Effects of ecosystem services provided by urban green infrastructure on indoor environment: a literature review. Building and Environment, 77: 88-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.03.021