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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Planning for Climate Change in African Cities by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa

4.7
stars
121 ratings

About the Course

Climate change poses a threat to economic growth and long-term prosperity of many countries around the world. Africa is not an exception, considering the actual and potential impacts of climate change and climate variability that will threaten its vulnerable sectors and human populations. African countries are projected to experience changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures that will affect food security, agricultural production, water availability, and public health, among others. These climate change impacts and climate variability can further produce social and political problems, such as rural-urban migration and water resource disputes. Furthermore, the low levels of development in many African countries, as well as limited institutional, infrastructural, and technical capacities to respond successfully to climate change impacts and climate variability, can exacerbate the situation. In terms of contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, although African countries are the lightest polluters, it has also become apparent that alternative energy sources can offset the increasing energy demand and dependence on biomass. Addressing climate change offers possibilities for low-carbon development. Moreover, there are promising mechanisms that can address both climate change actions and development goals simultaneously. At the city level, strengthening resilience, or the ability to respond to and absorb the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner and to sustain this ability in the future, and adaptation; the process of adjusting to actual or expected climate change stimuli or their effects, should be at the forefront of planning. Local governments have an important role to play through the provision of adequate infrastructure, regulation of land use, and other public services that are crucial for urban resilience. Mobilizing local governments, in collaboration with national governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations, among others, is also critical for an integrated multi-sectoral approach to climate change. The Course on Planning for Climate Change in African Cities provides the foundation for understanding cities’ exposure and sensitivity to climate change, and how cities can manage these impacts in the face of growing uncertainty. It does so by introducing the basic concepts of urban resilience and adaptation, by using illustrative case studies in different African cities. Furthermore, this module provides lectures on the different approaches for climate change planning, whether ad hoc, strategic or mainstreaming; introduces the different steps in the planning cycle – from initial assessment to monitoring and evaluation; and presents the different decision support and assessment tools for prioritizing climate change actions. This course broadens the discussion on planning for climate change by engaging learners to apply their knowledge and practice their decision-making skills in a simulated exercise. In line with development that minimizes the harm caused by climate change impacts, while maximizing the many human development opportunities presented by a more resilient future, we ask: what are the connections between urban risk and vulnerability? How is climate change and urban resilience conceptualized and applied in practice? Which policies and measures should be introduced to address climate change? Finally, how to choose among different measures that address climate change adaptation, urban resilience, and other development objectives? Course Objectives: At the end of this course, learners should be able to: • Recognize the effects, impacts, and drivers of climate change in cities • Understand the drivers of urban risk and vulnerability in the context of climate change • Distinguish the typologies, approaches, and tensions of climate change adaptation • Explain the different approaches and steps in climate change planning • Examine the decision support and assessment tools for climate change • Develop a climate change plan based on participants’ city contexts...

Top reviews

SX

May 31, 2020

It give an indepth knowledge on community level urban practice in south africa. It will be a great aid for my carrier growth. Also faculties and peers are very good to improve myself.

BK

Nov 14, 2020

I have learned a lot from the course, it has build my knowledge and skills through this I am competent to apply and advise policy making and development agencies on climate change

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26 - 44 of 44 Reviews for Planning for Climate Change in African Cities

By Hazel T

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May 2, 2022

thank you, I've learned a lot.. :)

By Abdul M

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Jun 8, 2019

Best one........ fantastic course

By takunda n

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May 18, 2020

A very informative course

By James W

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Jun 15, 2023

Very informative course

By Winston A W

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Dec 7, 2020

Excellent, thank you.

By LOIDA M S

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Nov 7, 2022

thank you

By Isaac S

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Jul 23, 2020

Thanks

By Mona A A

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Jul 24, 2020

good

By Leo K

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Nov 4, 2018

E

By Sue A M

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Jan 9, 2020

What a great course. From the broad (terminology and theory), down to the narrow ( specific approaches and methods). And it was all very applicable and real-life. Thanks to the wonderful instructors. I wish I could have been in a classroom with you all.

Please note that not all of the compulsory readings seemed to be immediately available, even for purchase. It would have been great if all the compulsory readings were packaged or collated and available for a fee. Also, I have been waiting 2 weeks for peer review of my final submission.

By Nicole B

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Apr 27, 2021

Excellent lectures and reading prompts. Particularly, the final assignment at the end taught me a lot. The only minus point is for the scheduling of the final assignment along with a full last learning week. I hope that this will be changed in the future because it was too much work load.

By Cathy C

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Oct 17, 2023

I learned a lot of useful things in this course, especially in terms of methodology. It would be amazing if the course could be updated. Another constructive suggestion I have is to include more, and more specific case studies from African cities that go more into detail.

By Petros G

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Nov 1, 2017

This course is designed in a simplest possible way to be delivered to people who may not have expert knowledge in the field.

By Juma M K

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Sep 5, 2018

A Very important course for the 21st Century Urban Planners and Decision-makers.

By Gijs W

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Nov 1, 2017

Great course with interesting guest lectures!

By Duncan O

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Apr 6, 2019

very good.

By Marieke d G

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Aug 24, 2020

Quite theoretical and I had expected more 'African' into the course: the African lecturers were very limited and only Kampala was used as an example, apart from some literature but mainly using Durban. But still a useful course to get 'all ducks in a row'. I also expressed caution in using the multi-criteria analysis tool in the final exercise in the way it is designed. I received certificate but do not manage to see what the peer reviewers said about the submission. Is that the intention?

By Birgitte K

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Aug 27, 2021

Not a bad course if it was named planning for climate change in urban environments.

It does not address the issues related to African cities in particular.

Furthermore, it is an entry level / beginner course. Not intermediary.

By J. B

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Jan 10, 2023

We are learning about Planning for Climate Change in Africa Cities, so far the teachers re talking about the cities of the other countries around the world. Very few African cities in the course are talked about