Planning for Sustainable Urban Development: A 5-Day Course

Why This Course

Cities across the world are experiencing rapid urbanization, increasing environmental pressures, and growing demands for resilient infrastructure. To build cities that are livable, sustainable, and future-ready, urban planners and decision-makers must adopt innovative strategies that balance growth with environmental stewardship.

The Sustainable Urban Development Program is an immersive 5-day course designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles, tools, and best practices behind sustainable city planning. Through global case studies, practical frameworks, and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to shape urban environments that support economic vitality, environmental health, and community well-being.

What You’ll Learn and Practice

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand core concepts, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable urban development
• Apply smart growth, compact city, and green infrastructure principles
• Integrate sustainable transportation, mobility, and energy systems into urban planning
• Engage communities through participatory planning and inclusive decision-making
• Analyze real-world examples and translate lessons into actionable strategies

The Program Flow

Day 1 – Foundations of Sustainable Urban Development

• Key concepts and frameworks in sustainable urban planning
• Global urbanization trends and their environmental and social impacts
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in urban contexts
• Urban ecology, ecosystem services, and nature-based solutions

Day 2 – Smart Growth & Land Use Planning

• Smart growth principles and compact city development
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and walkable communities
• Mixed-use zoning, urban regeneration, and adaptive reuse
• Green space planning, ecological networks, and urban biodiversity

Day 3 – Sustainable Transportation & Mobility

• Integrated mobility planning for modern cities
• Active transportation: pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• Public transit systems, multimodal hubs, and last-mile connectivity
• Emerging technologies: electric mobility and autonomous vehicles

Day 4 – Green Infrastructure & Sustainable Energy

• Green building principles and certification systems (LEED, BREEAM, etc.)
• Urban water management, stormwater systems, and blue-green infrastructure
• Renewable energy integration and decentralized energy systems
• Waste management, recycling innovations, and circular economy models

Day 5 – Implementation & Community Engagement

• Participatory planning and stakeholder engagement approaches
• Financing mechanisms for sustainable urban development
• Policy frameworks, governance models, and institutional capacity
• Monitoring, evaluating, and scaling sustainable urban initiatives

Practical Wins for Participants

Participants will complete the program ready to:

• Develop a comprehensive sustainable urban development action plan
• Build a practical toolkit for green infrastructure implementation
• Design effective community engagement and participatory planning strategies
• Formulate policy recommendations to advance sustainable transportation and mobility

Organizational Impact

Cities, municipalities, and organizations benefit through:

• Stronger sustainability planning and policy alignment
• Improved livability, resilience, and environmental performance
• Enhanced cross-sector coordination and stakeholder collaboration
• Greater ability to secure funding and deliver transformative urban projects

Training Methodology

This program uses a multidisciplinary and interactive approach:

• Real-world case studies from leading sustainable cities
• Hands-on planning exercises and design-oriented workshops
• Group discussions and collaboration on urban challenges
• Expert-led sessions on policy, innovation, and global sustainability trends

Beyond the Course

Participants will return equipped to:

• Lead sustainable urban planning initiatives with confidence
• Advocate for smart policies and climate-responsive strategies
• Drive innovation in green infrastructure, mobility, and energy systems
• Support the development of resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible cities