Course directory

OGLM 3155 - International Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development

OGLM 3155 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Atelier
Number of hours
12
Credits
2

Information

Description

This course examines how international cooperation shapes sustainable urban development in the Global South. It introduces students to major global agendas and explores how international actors (i.e., UN agencies, development banks, bilateral agencies, NGOs, transnational city networks) can influence urban policymaking and local development practices. Through case studies and exchanges with practitioners, students will analyze the normative, technical, and financial support international cooperation projects can provide for the sustainable urban development of Global South cities, while discussing the political and social tensions that may arise in the dialogue with local priorities and needs.

Assessment

  • Individual assessment (30%): draft a short note (2-3 pages) in preparation of one practitioner’s interview (see syllabus).
  • Group assessment (50%): build a sustainable urban development project proposal in answer to an international call for tender. Each group of students will choose a policy field and a city. Based on their choice, they will be assigned a donor, a budget, terms of reference, and the same project proposal template.
  • Participation 20%

Readings

Main readings 3

  1. COCIÑA, Cristóbal et al. « Knowledge translation in global urban agendas: A history of research-practice encounters in the Habitat conferences ». World Development. 2019, vol. 122, p. 130-141.

  2. COHEN, Michael. « Urban assistance and the material world: learning by doing at the World Bank ». Environment & Urbanization. April 2001, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 37-60.

  3. UNITED NATIONS. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Report: A/RES/70/1. United Nations. 2015. 35 p.

Further readings 5

  1. AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK. African Cities Program Supporting More Resilient, Livable and Productive Cities in Africa: Program Methodology. Report. African Development Bank. 2023. 54 p.

  2. CITIES ALLIANCE. City Development Strategies 2.0: Cities growing with vision. Report. Cities Alliance. 2017. 128p.

    Read online

  3. KÜHNER, Tobias et al. « International urban agendas and sustainable integrated urban development in developing countries ». Cidades. 22 April 2021.

  4. ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD). OECD Toolkit for a Territorial Approach to the SDGs. Report. OECD. 2022. 162 p.

  5. ORGANISATION FOR UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME (UN-HABITAT). Unlocking the Potential of Cities: Financing Sustainable Urban Development. Report. UN-Habitat. 2023. 106 p.

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
20336Atelier International Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development Clément DA CRUZ122

Teachers

  • Clément DA CRUZ