Urban Transportation, Land Use, and Environment: Santiago Case Study

Rapid urbanization demands a delicate balance between transport systems, land use, and environmental health. This text-only course explores these critical dynamics through the lens of the Santiago Metropolitan Area, a premier case study in modern urban planning. You will understand how transit networks shape cities, how policy decisions impact air quality, and how metropolitan areas integrate transit-oriented development to build sustainable futures. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational principles of urban transport planning and land-use interactions. - Analyze how Santiago's geographic and environmental constraints shape its public transit and air quality policies. - Explore the fundamentals of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and its application in modern metropolitan areas. - Evaluate the transition to sustainable mobility, including bus rapid transit (BRT) and public fleet electrification. - Assess the environmental impacts of urban sprawl and strategies for climate-resilient urban design. The course starts with essential terminology and the history of Santiago's urban development before moving into transport infrastructure, environmental challenges, and modern policy solutions. Designed for beginners in urban planning, environmental studies, and public policy, this course requires no prior engineering or planning experience. Read on to begin analyzing how modern cities balance growth with environmental preservation.