Sharing Cities: Governance and Urban Sustainability (Coursera)

The sharing economy is booming! But what are the impacts on cities and sustainability? This course connects the sharing economy, cities, governance and urban sustainability to provide unique knowledge and insights into sharing cities. We utilize a diversity of leading examples of the emerging sharing economy in cities to bring this course to life.

The sharing economy can contribute to social, environmental and economic sustainability, and sharing cities can unlock new opportunities and solve urban challenges by facilitating and applying the sharing economy in urban contexts. But it is imperative that the sharing economy is shaped and designed to advance urban sustainability.

This course is created by Sharing Cities Sweden, which is a national program for the sharing economy in cities in Sweden. It aims to put Sweden on the map as a country that actively and critically works with sharing cities. It brings together leading thinkers and practitioners from government, business, academic and civil society.

Sharing Cities Sweden is developing world-leading test-beds for the sharing economy in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå, and coordinating a national node to significantly improve national and international cooperation on sharing cities. The underlying aim is to create sustainable, resilient and prosperous cities and urban areas.

This course covers a diversity of knowledge and experiences to present and explore sharing cities in a holistic perspective with examples from Sweden, Europe and around the world. In this course, we combine diverse films and concise readings on sharing cities with interactive forums and practical assignments to create an online learning community!

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

– Increased knowledge on the sharing economy in cities.

– Deeper understanding of the relationship between the sharing economy, cities, governance and urban sustainability.

– Improved critical thinking on the opportunities and challenges for governing sharing cities to contribute to urban sustainability.

Syllabus

Week 1 – Introducing the Sharing Economy in Cities

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of the sharing economy in cities. The concept of sharing cities is presented and discussed in relation to governance and urban sustainability with examples from Europe and around the world.

Week 2 – Leading by Example on the Sharing Economy and Sharing Future Scenarios

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of self-governing (or leading by example) by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Malmö are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 3 – Providing Support for the Sharing Economy and Sharing Made Simple

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of providing by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Stockholm are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 4 – Enabling the Sharing Economy and Sharing Smart Maps

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of enabling by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Gothenburg are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.

Week 5 – Collaborating for the Sharing Economy and Sharing Service Hubs

By studying this module you can gain an increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of collaborating by municipalities to shape the sharing economy in cities. Examples and experiences of the sharing economy in Umeå are presented. Critical thinking and a broader perspective is provided through a documentary film and podcast.