Urban Ecosystem Course | Sustainable Architecture & Planning | IIT Roorkee
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 203 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Architecture and Planning, Sustainable Architecture, Urban Planning Building Services |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Future of Cities: A Deep Dive into Urban Ecosystems
Our cities are living, breathing entities. They are complex urban ecosystems where the built environment interacts dynamically with natural processes, shaping our climate, health, and resilience. Understanding this intricate relationship is no longer optional—it's essential for architects, planners, and engineers building the sustainable cities of tomorrow.
This is the core philosophy behind the intensive 12-week postgraduate course, Urban Ecosystem, offered under the expert guidance of Prof. Mahua Mukherjee from IIT Roorkee.
Meet Your Instructor: A Pioneer in Sustainable Urban Development
Prof. Mahua Mukherjee brings unparalleled expertise to this course. As a Professor in the Department of Architecture and Planning and former Head of the Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation and Management at IIT Roorkee, her career bridges rigorous academia and practical application.
Her research, deeply focused on sustainable urban development, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience, has produced groundbreaking work on:
- Urban Heat Island Mitigation: Developing strategies to counter rising temperatures in cities.
- Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI): Frameworks for integrating water bodies and green spaces into urban design.
- Climate-Responsive Design: Techniques for creating buildings and campuses that adapt to local climates.
- Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR): Using natural systems to buffer communities against disasters.
Prof. Mukherjee's influential publications, such as the seminal book Ecosystem-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience, form the bedrock of this course's curriculum.
Who Should Enroll?
This advanced course is designed for:
- Postgraduate (PG) and Pre-PhD students.
- Professionals and researchers in Urban Planning, Architecture, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, and Geography.
Prerequisites: A Bachelor's or Master's degree (B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Plan/BE/M.Sc or equivalent) in the aforementioned fields.
Course Overview: From Theory to Transformative Tools
Structured over 12 weeks, the course methodically builds your knowledge from fundamental ecological principles to advanced planning tools.
Detailed Course Layout
| Week | Core Focus | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | Ecology Foundations | Ecosystem functions, processes, types, core theories, and concepts. |
| Weeks 3-5 | Urban Ecosystem Dynamics | Urban metabolism, interactions with water/CO2, urban heat islands, biodiversity, and carrying capacity. |
| Weeks 6-7 | Ecosystem Services & Development | Classifying, evaluating ESS, and understanding the social-ecological impacts of urban development. |
| Weeks 8-9 | Climate Solutions | Disaster risk, mitigation/adaptation, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI), and policy frameworks. |
| Weeks 10-12 | Assessment & The Future | Urban ecosystem assessment tools, ecological footprint, the GeoSM-NatEc toolbox, and case studies on eco-engineering solutions. |
Key Learning Outcomes
By completing this course, you will be equipped to:
- Analyze cities as complex socio-ecological systems.
- Apply ecosystem theories to urban planning and design challenges.
- Quantify and integrate Ecosystem Services (ESS) into development projects.
- Design and advocate for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) for climate adaptation.
- Utilize advanced geospatial tools (like GIS & Remote Sensing) for urban ecosystem assessment and resilience planning.
- Develop strategies for disaster risk reduction through ecological principles.
Essential Reading & Industry Relevance
The course draws from foundational texts, including Prof. Mukherjee's own work, ensuring you learn from the latest research. The curriculum is designed with strong industry support in mind, aligning with the goals of organizations like UNEP, WRI, CEEW, and SAADRI, making your learning directly relevant to global sustainability challenges.
If you are passionate about designing cities that are not just sustainable but regenerative, resilient, and in harmony with nature, this course is your definitive guide. Join Prof. Mahua Mukherjee to explore the science, tools, and strategies that will define the future of urban living.
Enroll Now →