InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Sustainability in Cities > Student Materials > Unit 1: Introduction
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: July 15, 2016

Unit 1: Introduction

Welcome to the introductory unit for the Water Sustainability in Cities Module. In this unit you will be introduced to definitions, concepts, and systems thinking related to water sustainability in urban areas.

Pre-class Activity

Activity 1.0/1.1 Pre-Class Activities

Come to class prepared by completing the following:

Answer the following two questions:

Question 1. What are the challenges to achieving water sustainability in cities?

Question 2. What are the solutions (i.e., Water Sensitive Urban Design)?

In-class Activities

Activity 1.2 Define "Water Sustainability in Cities"

In this activity, you will be asked to work individually and with others to develop a definition of water sustainability in cities.

a. Review Activity 2 activity sheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 252kB Jun24 16) for more details. Develop your individual definition of water sustainability in cities, share with other students, and refine definition.

b. Be prepared to report your definition and compare and contrast it with definitions presented in the literature, online, and by other students.

Activity 1.3 Explain key sustainability concepts

In this activity, you will be engaged in a discussion reviewing your pre-class assignment responses defining three key concepts.

a. What are the three spheres of sustainability?

b. What does cradle-to-grave suggest should be considered when planning or designing for water infrastructure in cities?

c. List several interconnected systems that influence or are influenced by the water system in a city.

Activity 1.4 Urban Water System Mind Map

In this activity, you will prepare a mind map of a water system in an urban setting to identify the key elements and their interconnections.

a. Divide into teams and develop a mind map of a water system, see Activity 4 activity sheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 19kB Jun24 16) for more details.

b. Continue to review, add to, and improve the mind map during the module.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »