New short course in Financing Urban Sustainability

A new three-day residential short course in Financing Urban sustainability has been launched by the Department for Continuing Education in partnership with the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.

This new course examines the rapidly evolving field of financing for sustainability in the context of climate change, with a particular focus on urban infrastructures around the world.

The transition to a low-carbon economy is happening now,' explains Dr Idalina Baptista, Co-Director of Financing Urban Sustainability at the Department. 'Billions of dollars will be needed to finance new - and retrofit old - infrastructure that is climate-resilient and overall sustainable'.

It emerges from an exciting new partnership between the Department's Sustainable Urban Development Programme and the Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.

Dr Caitlin McElroy, Co-Director of Financing Urban Sustainability at the Smith School tells us: 'This partnership is a wonderful opportunity to deliver on the strengths of both the Smith School and the Department for Continuing Education. In joining our research approach with the in depth knowledge of the Sustainable Urban Development team we have the opportunity to provide a course unique in its scope and framing.'

'Partnerships like this are vital for strengthening the University's ability to engage with professionals on today's most pressing challenges.'

The Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment is a leading interdisciplinary academic hub focused upon teaching, research, and engagement with enterprise on climate change.

'It's been great to work with colleagues at the Smith School,' says Idalina. 'We've developed synergies and enhanced our collective expertise on urban and finance issues, crafting an exciting and insightful short course on financing urban sustainability.'

The Sustainable Urban Development Programme offers part-time study for practitioners engaged in urban development who seek globally-focussed professional development opportunities. The Programme's flagship part-time MSc, and newly launched part-time DPhil, combine with the short course in Financing Urban Sustainability to provide leading multidisciplinary and international perspectives on sustainable urban research and practice.

'We need to understand how to take sustainability into account in project development and assessment,' says Idalina. 'And we need to figure out how to leverage the necessary funding to make it happen.'

For information about Financing Urban Sustainability, including our early booking rate and how to apply, visit www.conted.ox.ac.uk/fus or contact us on +44 (0)1865 286951 and sud@conted.ox.ac.uk

Published 18 February 2015