With
the significant global climatic changes and severe impact on living
conditions, planners, designers, engineers, environmentalist, and
citizens are looking into the development and implementation of
innovative sustainable and resilient solutions. Such effects are further
accentuated with the rapid world’s population growth and the transition
from rural to urban living. It is predicted that by 2050 nearly 70
percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. Athens
has been proactive in addressing “sustainability, resilience and climate action plans.”
It’s reach cultural heritage combined with the high concentration of
population (more than 40%) and services, and the social, migration, and
economic challenges over recent years presents a unique, complex and
challenging scenario for developing and implemented such actions.
By
participating in this program and through the wide variety of (i)
learning activities, (ii) technical and (iii) cultural site visits and
(iv) field excursions, students will explore, witness and experience
firsthand the innovative sustainable and resilient strategies
implemented in Athens and the surrounding areas, and including:
- Explore Athens city action plans and case studies addressing many of the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals;
- Analyze “large scale system” strategies ” (i.e., large portions of the city and neighborhoods, large infrastructure components, such as the 2004 Athens Olympics infrastructure network and highway roadway network);
- Examine “project level” specific interventions, such as the Niarxos Sustainable and Resilient Building eco-park Complex, the Venizelos Athens International Airport, the Rio-Antirio resilient bridge, the Korinthos Canal, other;
- Learn & apply life cycle analysis , LCA, methods and sustainability metric ratings considering environmental implications, energy systems and energy conservation principles, recycling and waste reduction practices, mobility and greenhouse gas reduction emissions, in conjunction with economic and social implications.
Following such direct “hands-on” and “on the go” learning
experiences students will develop their own sustainable solutions for
specific projects pertinent to such city initiatives.
*There are need-based scholarships available for this program, please contact the Office of Global Engineering Leadership for additional information once you have completed your program application.