Metro-Urban Contact Info
Gary Hesser, Director
612-330-1664
hesser@augsburg.edu
METRO-URBAN STUDIES
Auggies traverse the concrete jungle
How can a major metropolitan area -- with all its concrete, glass, and steel -- be green? How can it be eco-friendly and implement measures that will ensure its healthy future? That is precisely what students in the Sustainable Cities summer course are attempting to discover. Sociology professors Nancy Fischer and Lars Christiansen are leading a group of students through Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia to examine different facets of sustainability in an urban context. The course is a faculty-led seminar through Augsburg Abroad.
Looking at food systems, waste and recycling programs, transportation, public policy, and community development, students will see how nature and the city can coexist. According to Fischer, the purpose of the course is to learn what's being done and how to promote sustainability in North America. "It's easy to get down and say there's nothing we can do," she said. "We want students to know what can be done and hope they see what they can do in their own city and on campus."
Fischer got the idea while teaching Human Community, Modern Metropolis at Augsburg two years ago. She shared an article on peak oil, the theory that predicted the terminal decline of the world's petroleum production, with the class. "The students thought the idea that we would run out of oil was crazy," Fischer said. Ensuing class discussion about the world's dependence on oil led Fischer to examine urban efforts to "go green."
At the same time, she and Christiansen began to see reports on Vancouver, ranked consistently at the top of the Economist Intelligence Unit's livability survey. Vancouver is a leader in sustainability measures, particularly with regard to urban planning, public transit, waste management, and food production. Based on their shared interest in urban sustainability the two began discussing the idea of a course to explore Vancouver's initiatives.
NEWS & EVENTS
Hesser named sabo professor
As Sabo professor, Hesser's activities will include collaboration with the Center for Service, Work, and Learning concerning student civic engagement and leadership.
MORE >>
A sustainable urban environment
Thanks much to Tom Ruffaner, ’98 graduate of the Metro Urban Studies program and Custodial Supervisor for the college, Augsburg is taking definitive steps toward reducing its environmental footprint on the community. MORE >>
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