Urban Watershed Design: Observing and Mapping the City

Cities are deeply intertwined with the natural water systems that run through them, yet modern urban development often obscures these vital ecological pathways. Understanding how to read, analyze, and represent urban watersheds is essential for creating sustainable, climate-resilient cities. This written course guides you through the foundational concepts of urban ecology, watershed dynamics, and site analysis, enabling you to interpret the complex relationship between built environments and natural water systems. By completing this course, you will develop the practical skills needed to observe urban landscapes, interpret hydrological data, and create clear, professional mapping representations of watershed areas. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational concepts of urban hydrology, watershed ecology, and natural water flows. - Observe and analyze how urban infrastructure impacts local river basins and water quality. - Interpret geographical data, site conditions, and environmental maps to identify urban ecological challenges. - Represent complex spatial and environmental data through clear, structured mapping techniques. - Apply green infrastructure principles and sustainable urban drainage concepts to design proposals. - Evaluate modern climate resilience strategies and community-focused watershed management practices. This course begins with essential terminology, historical context, and foundational ecological principles before moving into practical observation techniques, mapping exercises, and sustainable design frameworks. You will read through real-world case studies of urban watershed restoration and practice translating environmental observations into professional design concepts. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring urban planners, landscape design enthusiasts, and environmental advocates who want to learn how to analyze and represent urban ecosystems. No prior experience in urban design or hydrology is required.