Description. It is estimated that by 2050 a further 11% of the natural areas remaining in Europe in 2000 could be lost. Public institutions should therefore focus specially on the consequences of this phenomenon and increase investment in protecting ecosystems, also giving attention to urban ecosystems.
Trends seen differently in various parts of the world about an Ecosystem Approach to City Management and Policy Development, call for new approaches to deal with the increasing complexity of environmental burdens and the shifting political and institutional context in which solutions must be developed. The method must be integrative and provide for new ways to both attack environmental challenges and develop policies (e.g., enhance public participation; develop financial and human resources). It must also be flexible enough to deal with unique situations. While there are no ‘silver bullets’ to solve these growing demands, the ecosystem approach has much promise. The ecosystem approach portends to integrate various environmental issues at both different scales and among disciplines. Further, the user–driven, adaptive management style and politically inclusive aspects of the approach may provide for a way forward in policy development and management in times of uncertainty and increasing vulnerability.

An ecosystems approach to city policy development and management is an emerging and promising approach. Groups of scholars and practitioners that have emphasised this approach have created a variety of alternative visions. Work on the integrated ecosystem approach that includes both human (social and political) factors and bio–physical factors is the most promising. Among these the human ecosystem framework (HEF) provides the basis for applying the approach to cities.

Taking the above results into account, FISD is contemplating a two–pronged approach to exploring the potential of the ecosystems approach to city management. First, through capacity development exercises with city managers, the Unit will attempt to develop practical guidelines to apply ecosystems approach in the field. Second, the Unit will carry out a research project that explores both the promises and challenges of using the approach. The Unit include case studies that examine the applicability of the City integrated ecosystems management in specific locations as well as theoretical studies.

This kind of approach will be tested on the the European Initiative on Smart Cities which strategic objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of rapidly progressing towards energy and climate objectives at a local level while proving to citizens that their quality of life and local economies can be improved through investments in energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions. This Initiative will support cities and regions in taking ambitious and pioneering measures to progress by 2020 towards a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable use and production of energy. This will require systemic approaches and organisational innovation, encompassing energy efficiency, low carbon technologies and the smart management of supply and demand. In particular, measures on buildings, local energy networks and transport would be the main components of the Initiative.

City integrated ecosystems management is a lecture and seminar based unit in which the expected learning outcome is to acquire the necessary knowledge to manage the city as an integrated ecosystem and to map out the heritage value of natural infrastructure (as a source, for instance, of clean water and air, wind protection, soil fertility and pollination), which is not easily replaced with technological solutions, and only at exorbitant costs and at efficiency levels that cannot compare with the efficiency of biotic systems.

Teaching methodology. During first lecture, it will be presented the course programme, assessed levels of students and defined individual study pathways. Before the end of each lecture, it will be recapitulate knowledge and skills acquired. Moreover, any doubts and questions arising during self-study will be solved during the next lecture. During the last lecture or part of, it will be implemented an assessment/exam.

A) SYLLABUS. The course aims to address the main key experiences and intervention strategies in the contemporary city. Its objectives are to:

• Understand and relate the main biophysical and ecological changes caused by land taken and urbanisation,

• Analyse and discuss the importance of ecology and their indicators in the urban environment,

• Discuss environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems,

• Relate the principles of urban ecology, ecosystem services and sustainable development with respective urban, landscape and ecological development measures,

• Develop skills in analysis of landscape and natural heritage, founded on practical examples.

  Course outline

• Introduction to urbanisation and environment

• Land take and changes in the environment

• Elements of the urban landscape and green infrastructure

• Open spaces and past visions on urban development

• The Green Infrastructure in urban areas

  • Systems and structures of urban green spaces

  • Types of systems / structures of green spaces

• Urban ecosystems and ecosystem services

  • Ecological benefits and environmental functions

  • Social, recreational, educational and cultural benefits

  • Economic benefits

  • Structural features

• Planning and management of green infrastructure

• Users and uses of open spaces

• Urban sustainability and climate change impacts

• Challenges and opportunities for urban sustainability.

  B) CONSULTING DAYS: during study hours.

  C)TYPE OF ASSESSMENT. Each student is expected to do the readings assigned and be prepared to actively participate in class discussions. Students will be assessed by means of presenting the results of field research, as follow: Assignment 1 "Reading the Space": Each student will identity in Lisbon a green space of their choice and analyse its development, functions and problems. This exercise on "reading the space" should follow a given structure. Specific instructions will be provided in time. It includes gather photos (online and in person) that reveal different uses within that space. A 5 - 8 page written paper, as well as an oral classroom presentation are expected.

  Assignment 2 "Exercise on observation": Using observation as a scientific method (what involves perceiving, seeing and not interpret occurrences) in a group work (3-4 Students) four green spaces chosen from those presented in assignment 1 will be deeply described and analysed, especially its users structure.
  The students should visit the space several times and record the findings on a given table. These findings have to be analysed and described. The results should be visualised through graphs, tables and gathered photos. A 10 - 12 page written paper, as well as a group oral classroom presentation are expected.

  D) ASSESSMENT MATERIALS. The assessment is based around two papers, one risen from assignment 1 "reading the space" and the other from assignment 2 "exercise of observation". The assessment includes the records of the field work, the accuracy of data analysed and design of papers. Also the In-class participation will be assessed.

  E) ESSENTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.

• DTLR (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions) (2002) 'Green Spaces, Better Places - Final Report of the Urban Green Space Taskforce'. London.

• Fausold, Charles J. and Lilieholm, Robert J. (1996) 'The Economic Value of Open Space: A Review and Synthesis'. www.lincolninst.edu/subcenters/valuation_taxation/dl/fausold_lilieholm.pdf. Access date: 18/04/2006.

• Scottish Executive Central Research Unit (2001) 'Rethinking open space. Open space provision and management: a way forward'. Edinburgh.

  • URGE-Team (2004) ‘Making Greener Cities - A Practical Guide’. UFZ-Bericht, Nr. 8. Leipzig: Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH. (www.urge-project.ufz.de/index.html)

  • World Health Organization (1997) 'City planning for health and sustainable development'. Geneva.

    Recommended Literature in Portuguese

  • Direcção Geral do Ordenamento do Territorio (1992) ‘Espaços Verdes Urbanos’. Lisboa Fadigas, L. (2007) ‘Fundamentos ambientais do ordenamento do terrotório e da paisagem’. Edições Silabo,

  • Lisboa.

  • Raposo Magalhães, Manuela (2001) ‘A Arquitectura Paisagista’. Estampa. Lisboa

  • Smaniotto Costa, Carlos (2012) 'De quintas a parques - Visitando os Parques da Quinta das Conchas e da Quinta dos Lilases em Lisboa'. Arquitextos, São Paulo, 13.146, Vitruvius, jul 2012 http://www.vitruvius.com.br/revistas/read/arquitextos/13.146/4429

  • Smaniotto Costa, Carlos (2011) Jardins Verticais – uma oportunidade para as nossas cidades? Em: Arquitextos, São Paulo, 12.133, Vitruvius, jul 2011 www.vitruvius.com.br/revistas/read/arquitextos/12.133/3941

  • Smaniotto Costa, Carlos (2010) “Áreas Verdes: um elemento chave para a sustentabilidade urbana - A abordagem do Projeto GreenKeys”. Em: Arquitextos, São Paulo, Nov. 2010, http://www.vitruvius.com.br/revistas/read/ arquitextos/10.126/3672, ISSN 1809-6298

  
  
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