Urban Ecology

The expansion of the urban environment leads to the fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats, conservation challenges, and a shift in the relationship between humans and nature. However, urban areas can also harbor significant biodiversity in close proximity to humans, which can then be utilized for conservation, public awareness, improving human well-being, and even therapeutic purposes. It is a challenge to work in ecology while ignoring the existence and consequences of the urban environment and its unique characteristics. The goal of this course unit is to help future ecology professionals find compromises between urban development and respect for nature. Through lectures delivered by a variety of professionals and a field trip to Montpellier, students will discover where (nonprofits, consulting firms, local governments, etc.), with whom, and how an ecologist can work in the field of urban ecology.

A bachelor's degree-level knowledge of ecology is required

-explain the unique characteristics of biodiversity in urban environments and the pressures it faces 

-understand the issues related to land-use planning

 -Understand the different phases of a land-use planning project and the stakeholders involved

-to evaluate the environmental aspects of an urban development project

-propose measures that promote biodiversity in urban areas now and/or in the future

-reconciling biodiversity concerns with land-use planning at the regional level