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The great cities of the world, New York, Mumbai, Delhi, and Beijing were once called the cities of opportunities, dreams and success. In recent years, however, they have also become symbols of everything wrong with our cities- overcrowding, water scarcity, air pollution, waste mismanagement, and drastic climate events. Why, when, and how did this happen? And how long can our cities survive like this? This certified, online live course over 4 weekends, underlines the pivotal role of nature in addressing urban environmental and sustainability challenges and discusses real-world perspectives on sustainable urban development. Through weekly hands-on projects, learners explore and build solutions in urban biodiversity, waste management, water resources, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Join this future-forward course to cultivate the knowledge and tactics essential for building resilient and environmentally conscious cities of the future.
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.*
Small cohorts, big impact.
*tentative schedule and details, subject to change
Register InterestThis course is designed for high school students (Grades 9 – 12) considering pursuing Environmental Science at university or as an area of personal interest. The course is ideal for students looking to make an impact in the field of urban sustainability, planning and development.
Prerequisites: High level of proficiency in written and verbal English communication. You will be required to submit your latest marksheet in the application form.
By the end of the course, the students will:
| Week | Lecture Module | Project Module |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Is There Nature in Cities? Learn about thriving Ecosystems in City Environments | Community Project: Nature in urban settings |
| Week 2 | Turning Down the Heat: Urban Greenery’s Role Discover the Heat-Busting Power of Urban Greenery | Data Collection Project: Unveiling Carbon Storage and Cultural Significance |
| Week 3 | Waste: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Tackling Waste Challenges for a Greener Tomorrow | Lifestyle Project – Waste Management: Snapshot of Our Lifestyles |
| Week 4 | Water: Scarcity and Flooding Solutions Navigating Scarcity and Floods with Urban Nature Solutions |
Water Lifecycle Management Project: Exploring Ecological Aspects of Water Lifecycle Management |
Prof. Seema Mundoli is an Assistant Professor at Azim Premji University, with 20 years of experience in conservation, indigenous community advocacy, and urban sustainability. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business administration and a Master’s in Development from Azim Premji University. Prof. Seema has taught in post-graduate programs and currently teaches environment and sustainability courses in the undergraduate program. Her research, published in peer-reviewed journals, spans climate change, conservation, and advocacy for indigenous communities. She is a co-author of award-winning books, including ‘Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities’ (Penguin India 2019), ‘So Many Leaves’ (Pratham Publications 2021), and ‘Shades of Blues: Connecting the Drops in India’s Cities’ (Penguin India 2023).
All Ashoka Horizons courses offer a certificate on satisfactory completion of the course. The 3 components of student assessment are-
Class participation will be assessed based on your active engagement in live sessions, contributions to discussion forums, and involvement in Teaching Fellow-led activities. Letters of Appreciation will be issued for select students based on exceptional performance in the course.
This programme is administered through an online platform. Students are expected to have a foundational understanding of computer usage, including but not limited to sending emails and conducting Internet searches. Consistent access to the Internet and a computer that aligns with the recommended minimum specifications are also requisite for participation in the programme.
Have a question about Ashoka Horizons Achievers Programme? Write to us on horizons@ashoka.edu.in
The project module was quite interesting and insightful throughout the course. Through this module, the TF effortlessly conveyed the importance of different topics encapsulating major aspects of critical thinking including premises and various fallacies, an aspect we should apply daily.
It was quite good as most people built on each others points and respectfully laid their opinions rather than talking over each other.
Naincy Catherine
Writing Pedagogy Expert
M.Phil. (Sociology), Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi
Schedule:
May 17, 2025 (Saturday) – June 14, 2025 (Saturday)*
Dr Brainerd Prince
Associate Professor, Plaksha University
PhD, Middlesex University
Schedule:
May 17, 2025 (Saturday) – June 14, 2025 (Saturday)*
