The Earth Institute 21st Century Cities Seminar Series Spring Semester, 2003

The Earth Institute
21st Century Cities Seminar
Spring Semester, 2003
Mondays, February 10 to April 28, 2003
5:00 to 6:30 PM

The 21st Century Cities project of the Earth Institute at Columbia University is conducting an informal, multidisciplinary seminar on Mondays throughout the Spring Semester that will explore current and emerging conditions in cities in the developing world. Recognizing that most of the world's population growth over the next 30 years will take place in urban areas in developing countries, the Earth Institute is initiating a multidisciplinary project to study this phenomenon and bring a team of scientists to specific cities in an effort to better understand sustainable urban development. It will examine issues of population growth and economic development in urban areas and the surrounding countryside, urban infrastructure and management, the impact of natural disasters, and other issues currently faced by urban governments and populations. In addition to assessing conditions in their areas of specialization, members of the study team will identify interactions among these multiple forces and their implications for urban policy, management, and decision making. Because the initial focus of the project will be on Accra, the capital of Ghana, several sessions in the seminar will focus specifically on that city. Other cities to be studied in coming months include Forteleza in Brazil, Kampala in Uganda, and Chandigarh in India.

All Columbia students and faculty are welcome to attend the Earth Institute's 21st Century Cities Seminar. Monday sessions will consist of presentations from members of the Earth Institute's 21st Century Cities study team, other interested Columbia scientists and faculty, and individuals outside the University who will discuss various aspects of the issues faced by urban areas in the developing world. The seminar will be launched on February 10 with a presentation on the economics of sustainable development in cities by Jeffrey Sachs and will continue on February 28.
For more information, contact Roberta Balstad Miller at roberta@ciesin.columbia.edu

February 10, 2003: The Economics of Sustainable Development: 21st Century Cities
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director, The Earth Institute at Columbia University
President's Room, Faculty House, Columbia University
NB: This session will begin at 4:00 pm instead of 5:00 pm.

February 17, 2003: No Session

February 24, 2003: Urban Management: The Core of the Program
Dr. Auxmite Gebre-Egziabher, UN-HABITAT
Faculty Room, Low Library, Columbia University

March 3, 2003: The Informal Economy
Professor Susan Fainstein, Department of Urban Planning
405 Low Library, Columbia University

March 10, 2003: Water and the Urban Environment
Professor Upmanu Lall, Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Room, Low Library, Columbia University
NOTE: This event will begin at 5:30 pm instead of 5:00 pm

March 17, 2003: Spring Break (No Seminar)

March 24, 2003: Food and Agriculture in the City and its Hinterland
Dr. Pedro Sanchez, Director, Tropical Agriculture, The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Faculty Room, Low Library, Columbia University

March 31, 2003: Accra: The Urban Perspective
Christiana Laryea, Formerly Senior Architect in Alcon Consulting Architects, Accra; Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Design
(Professor Kenneth T. Jackson, Department of History, is cancelled)
405 Low Library, Columbia University

April 7, 2003: Urban Housing in Developing Countries
Professor Peter Marcuse, Department of Urban Planning
405 Low Library, Columbia University

April 14, 2003: Introduction to Accra
Climate: Dr. Len Druyen, GISS
Urban Transportation and Land Use: Elliott Sclar, Director, Department of Urban Planning
Faculty Room, Low Library, Columbia University

April 21, 2003: Accra: The Unconventional City -- Results of the Columbia Urban Planning Studio in Accra
Professor Sig Grava, Department of Urban Planning
Sindeband East Seminar Room, CEPSR, Columbia University

CANCELLED: April 28, 2003: The Physical City of Accra
Max Bond, former Dean, School of Architecture, City University of New York and former Dean, School of Architecture, University of Accra
Davis Auditorium, CEPSR, Columbia University

Updated March 7, 2003