Introduction to Environmental Justice and Urban Planning

Environmental degradation and climate impacts do not affect everyone equally. To build truly sustainable cities, we must understand how history, policy, and urban planning intersect to create environmental disparities. This text-based course prepares you to recognize, analyze, and address environmental injustices in urban settings, moving from foundational concepts to modern policy frameworks and community-led solutions. What you'll learn: - Understand the history and core principles of the environmental justice movement. - Analyze how urban planning decisions and zoning laws contribute to localized pollution and health disparities. - Identify the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, including urban heat islands and flood risks. - Evaluate policy frameworks and legal tools used to advocate for marginalized communities. - Explore modern strategies like green gentrification mitigation and participatory neighborhood planning. - Practice writing critical policy analyses and community advocacy briefs through structured written exercises. You will start by exploring essential terminology and historical case studies before examining contemporary urban planning challenges. Through structured readings and analytical exercises, you will learn to evaluate real-world environmental policies and design equitable solutions. Designed for beginners, community advocates, and aspiring urban planners, this course requires no prior background in environmental science or public policy. Start reading today to begin advocating for healthier, more equitable communities.