K6ET 2070 - Ecological accounting I: Introduction to Urban Metabolism

This course will use quantitative approaches to better understand the metabolic functioning of cities as well as better assess its flows and stocks. The insights offered by quantitative analysis will be detailed to provide evidence-based urban resource use and waste generation policies (including implementation of circular economy principles, reduction of energy use, mitigation of GHG emissions, etc.). This course will provide the tools to students to carry out a Material Flow and Stock Analysis at an urban level as well as different visualisation techniques to illustrate the results. As a final assessment, students will get together in small groups and will carry out a material flow analysis of a (EU or FR) city of their choice.

6-2 hours session

The examination of this course will be based on an oral intermediary presentation and a written report (grade given to the entire group) of their urban material flow analysis.

During the intermediary presentation (30% of the grade) which will be a video-recording, the groups will be presenting their system diagram, data sources, assumptions and draft policies/solutions.

For the final report (70% of the grade), groups will need to define a research question, present their accounting methods and data sources, propose resource/waste/emissions management policies and use a correct referencing.

Presentation (3 to 6 hours) ; Final report (> to 6 hours)