• Fundamental Principles


• Similarities between Engineered and Natural Systems


• New Challenges


• Innovation/New Applications


• Consideration of Research Literature


• Process Integration emphasizing Environmental Buffers

Interdisciplinary Courses

CEE 395 - 20: Sustainability: Issues and Action, Near and Far

While there is general consensus on the definition of sustainability, there are many divergent views on what it means in the practice of engineering design, especially when considering what are appropriate activities in developed as compared to developing economies. The purpose of this course is to explore the issues that motivate the design and engineering of sustainable resource use and development. First we will consider the issues driving the need for sustainable design and development. Is it simply good engineering or is there a more critical imperative? The principles of "green engineering" will be reviewed and then their application to energy, transportation, water, materials, urban development, agriculture, social equity and environmental justice will be considered. Case studies and examples from both developed and developing economies will be discussed and compared. Students will work on teams on short and long-term projects throughout the course. This course will serve students from a wide range of discipline, who have a strong interest in environmental issues. Weekly readings will be assigned and periodic presentations will be made by students throughout the quarter. Special attention will be paid to the environmental problems associated with the low income Chicago communities and those faced by communities in developing countries that the ESW student chapter works in.

Special Topics IPLS 492-0 (Interdisciplinary Program in Liberal Studies): Changing Views of Nature

In this course we will consider how our attitudes toward "nature" have shaped and continue to influence society from various perspectives ranging from economic and technological to sociological, architectural, etc. We will explore how our notions about nature over the last 200 years influenced the development of cities, the modification of the landscape, the extraction of resources and creation of industries and markets, the patterns of settlement, and ideas of progress. We will look at the historical factors that have caused marked change in our regard of nature and think about what role nature will play in future development.

IE 497-40: Sustainable Manufacturing

(With Keith Harley, Director, Chicago Environmental Law Clinic, Adjunct Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, Northwestern University)

The goal of this course is to explore how we can conceive, design and develop a product or production facility using principles of Sustainability and why we would do so. We will start by evaluating the guiding definition and principles of sustainable design, engineering and development and consider a number of examples. We will discuss the conceptual frameworks promoted by McDonough (Cradle to Cradle) and Hawken and Lovins (Natural Capitalism). Issues related to social equity will be explored by looking at the business opportunities related to solving some of the world's most intractable problems (e.g., poverty). Special attention will be paid to the challenges of improving energy efficiency and finding alternatives to oil. Finally, we will tackle the question of what it will take to make human life sustainable - is it technology or conviction? Why is the approach different in Europe than in the U.S? What is the role of business versus the government in paving this way? Will the change to sustainable practices occur through bottom-up or top-down demand? Will the path to sustainability be guided by a shift in values or will it simply make good economic sense?

The course is primarily discussion based. The first 2/3 of the class meeting will be focused on the readings and "the big picture". The last third of the class will be a skills sharing session focusing on practical aspects of environmental best practice, land recycling movement, green building, climate change, renewable energy. Periodically, we will also have guest speakers who are experts in a particular area of interest.

The Green City Summer Institute: A Field Study in Chicago - Past, Present, and Future

(held August 9-11, 2006)

Northwestern University is pleased to present the first annual Green City Summer Institute, a three-day program that explores Chicago as one of America 's greenest cities. The City's Environmental Action Agenda commits it to reducing its use of natural resources, improving the quality of life in Chicago as a whole, and saving taxpayer dollars through wise energy and resource-conserving actions. By building green, improving energy efficiency, promoting alternative fuels, recycling waste, and conserving and improving water quality, Chicago has pledged to lead the nation in the urban environmental movement.

Join us this summer as we get out into the City to see how the agenda is moving forward-through architecture, landscape, urban farming, transportation, walkable communities, infield redevelopment--to evaluate how far we've come, and how far we have to go. Through a combination of lectures, group project work, and visits to key sites in Chicago, this summer institute will introduce you to the important issues surrounding sustainability in an urban environment (see Green City website for more details).

Kimberly A. Gray

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University

2145 Sheridan Road, Tech A236, Evanston, IL 60208, Phone: (847) 467-4252

Fax: (847) 467-4011, Email: k-gray@northwestern.edu

Last modified: 12-15-06

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