This course provides students with a set of interweaving and interdisciplinary concepts across the social sciences regarding the what, the how and the why regarding the implementation of technology on urban sustainability issues. Topics to be covered include (i.) sustainability in cities, particularly in the context of environmental and climate change; (ii.) the role of technology in enhancing and disrupting “normal” ways of life in the city, through the use of shared riding/food delivery apps, and social media and (iii.) how technology applied judiciously can enhance liveability and livelihoods for a wide range of urban residents who are both technology-savvy and residents uncomfortable using technology. Students will gain an understanding of how selected industries consider and apply these technologies towards urban sustainability issues. While there will be some in-class meetings to discuss theoretical concepts, learning will be primarily experiential in nature through class discussion, group exercises, and a team project. Guest speakers with practical and industrial experience may be invited as well. The course project will work with one industry sponsor (Facebook Asia). Students are expected to conceive solution to address a defined problem statement, related to an aspect of urban sustainability with societal impact, and in accordance to the real-world needs of the industry sponsor.
Disciplinary and multidisciplinary knowledge: at the end of the course, students should be able to appreciate and see how to integrate knowledge on technology and society from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
Intellectual, Management and Creative Skills: students should be able to demonstrate how “book” knowledge must be complemented by practical applied knowledge, especially in the context of management decisions within industries. Students’ creativity in considering solutions will also be developed in the context of the group project with the industrial partner.