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Learning and Teaching Interdisciplinary Skills in Sustainable Urban Development—The Case of Tampere University, Finland

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Listed:
  • Jonathon Taylor

    (Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland
    J.T., S.J., and M.L. contributed equally to this work as joint first authors.)

  • Salla Jokela

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
    J.T., S.J., and M.L. contributed equally to this work as joint first authors.)

  • Markus Laine

    (Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland
    J.T., S.J., and M.L. contributed equally to this work as joint first authors.)

  • Juho Rajaniemi

    (Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland)

  • Pekka Jokinen

    (Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland)

  • Liisa Häikiö

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Antti Lönnqvist

    (Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland)

Abstract

Developing the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of urban environments is challenging due to the complex and interconnected nature of the context and objectives. In order to be successful in this challenging environment, professionals working in the urban development arena should have a holistic understanding of the different pillars of sustainable development, as well as various competencies and skills. This paper looks at sustainable urban development (SUD) from the perspective of the skills and competencies required and identifies effective pedagogic practices that could help educate future professionals. In particular, we explore interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning, reflective thinking, and experiential learning, which are needed for understanding various aspects of a complex phenomenon, collaborating with professionals from different fields and coming up with novel and constructive ways of solving complex problems. We first examine these through reviewing and analyzing relevant literature on education for sustainable development, with a focus on SUD. Then, we explore the application of these approaches in practice by describing and analyzing a newly introduced degree program at Tampere University, Finland.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathon Taylor & Salla Jokela & Markus Laine & Juho Rajaniemi & Pekka Jokinen & Liisa Häikiö & Antti Lönnqvist, 2021. "Learning and Teaching Interdisciplinary Skills in Sustainable Urban Development—The Case of Tampere University, Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1180-:d:485663
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kateryna Wowk & Larry McKinney & Frank Muller-Karger & Russell Moll & Susan Avery & Elva Escobar-Briones & David Yoskowitz & Richard McLaughlin, 2017. "Evolving academic culture to meet societal needs," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Rodrigo Lozano & Michelle Y. Merrill & Kaisu Sammalisto & Kim Ceulemans & Francisco J. Lozano, 2017. "Connecting Competences and Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainable Development in Higher Education: A Literature Review and Framework Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Ceulemans, Kim & De Prins, Marijke & Cappuyns, Valérie & De Coninck, Wouter, 2011. "Integration of sustainable development in higher education's curricula of applied economics: Large-scale assessments, integration strategies and barriers," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(5), pages 621-640, September.
    4. Melissa Keeley & Lisa Benton-Short, 2020. "Holding Complexity: Lessons from Team-Teaching an Interdisciplinary Collegiate Course on Urban Sustainability," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-18, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sanober Naheed & Salman Shooshtarian, 2022. "The Role of Cultural Heritage in Promoting Urban Sustainability: A Brief Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Kirsi Pauliina Kallio & Salla Jokela & Mikko Kyrönviita & Markus Laine & Jonathon Taylor, 2021. "Skatescape in the Making: Developing Sustainable Urban Pedagogies through Transdisciplinary Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, August.

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