Innovations for Sustainable Development on a
Local or Global Level, AE1707, 7,5 hp
Autumn 2014
An evening class, in English, with a focus on sustainable development and innovation.
We face a number of global challenges for sustainable development that are of both national and
international in character. In terms of development and growth in the field of Clean Technology,
Sweden is considered to have a good potential to develop products, systems, processes and
services that provide environmental benefits in terms of sustainability.
Sweden has historically had an amazing technological development in which innovations have
created internationally renowned companies. A very important question is whether today's inventors
can meet up with the requirements that we need in order to shift to a more sustainable society. In
the current situation, focus is mainly on the scientists while many Swedish innovations, after all,
have not had a clear link to the academy. Can our students already now help us to meet those
challenges and reveal exciting new areas for sustainable development in our society?
The threats to our existence becomes more and more obvious and the need to steer development
towards a more sustainable use of the earth's resources are becoming inevitable. The Swedish
Government gives priority to the following issues in sustainable development, nationally and
globally:
- Sustainable urbanization – sustainable cities.
- Access to and sustainable use of energy and water.
- Correct pricing and value of ecosystem services.
- Market development including the role of business, sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries,
and commerce.
This focus is also reflected in the research front where for example Formas (research foundation)
supports environmental technology with a sustainability focus within six areas :
- Sustainable building ,
- Sustainable transport,
- Environmental technology ,
- Use of biological resources,
- Lightweight and advanced materials, and
- Energy .
Challenge-driven innovation is one of VINNOVA:s strategic areas:
" Many important social problems will not be solved with traditional interventions in individual
industries or sectors. Basic needs of health, food, water and education needs are met and huge
investments made in infrastructure including energy supply and transport. Public health and health
care are areas where major changes will be required, where the developed industrialized countries
heavily affected by their demographics, with a rapidly aging population. Another social challenge is
the increased pressure on natural resources, environment, and climate, which requires a rapid shift
of production and consumption patterns to be more sustainable. The need for new products,
services and solutions that help to solve these global challenges is a necessity and therefore also
an exceptional opportunity to enhance competitiveness, prosperity and new jobs. "
The idea behind this course is to take advantage of the innovative power that exists among our
students and give opportunities to develop their ideas and skills. The course is offered as an
evening course to students from different schools. This means that students from different
programs have the opportunity to meet and interact, a contact that hopefully will result in new ideas
and inspiration.
Learning outcomes
Describe, problematize and discuss what drives economic, social and technological development
and how it impacts the environment.
Describe the role of globalization and technology in development, threats and opportunities.
Analyze and describe what sustainable development stands for environmentally, economically,
technically and socially, and how these dimensions are linked to each other.
Describe how historical, political , economic and social structures promote or hinder sustainable
development on a national, regional and global scale.
Identify and apply the knowledge which is beneficial to sustainable development, nationally and
globally .
Plan, execute and present an independent work which results in an idea/innovation relating to
sustainable development.
Be able to participate in a student-driven project and idea competition with a focus on sustainable
development, NORQUEST .
Course main content
The course is an evening class, in English, with a focus on sustainable development ,
entrepreneurship and innovation at both local and global levels. The aim is for students to develop a
concrete proposal (idea / innovation) that promote sustainable development. This can be a technical
application, a method / model, a mobile application (App) or the like.
The lectures will partly provide an introduction and examples of different problems found in
developed as well as developing countries and demonstrate the role of technology, and provide
tools and inspiration for project ideas.
The lectures will deal with different concepts such as sustainable urban development ,
communication and ICT, energy, water- related issues, the global chemical use, innovation and
entrepreneurship, and more. Moreover, various tools for business intelligence and problem analysis,
goal setting, written and oral reports, etc. to be treated.
The student will undertake a feasibility study with a problem inventory of “a sustainability issue " and
then propose a solution, innovation, presented in a " Concept Note", which can be used for a MFS
application or thesis work on basic and advanced levels.
Course disposition
The course is an evening class, in English, where speakers from KTH and various agencies,
companies and organizations will share their knowledge and experience.
The course consists of a lecture block, homework assignments and an essay presented in writing
and orally.
The essay shall consist of a well-informed proposal to be able to participate in a design contest or
be the basis of a degree at the bachelor's or master's level (eg support a MFS application).
Eligibility
Completed upper secondary education including documented proficiency in English, corresponding
to English A/English 6 is required. Applicants with non-Swedish upper secondary education are
exempt from the requirement of Swedish.
Examination
ANN1 - Attendance, 1.0 hp, grade scale: P, F
INL1 - Assignment, 2.0 hp, grade scale: P, F
PRO1 - Project Proposal, 3.0 hp, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
SEM1 - Seminar, 1.5 hp, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Requirements for final grade
• ANN1 - Attendance, 1.0 credits , grade scale : P, F
• INL1 - Assignment, 2.0 credits , grade scale : P, F
• PRO1 - Project Proposal , 3.0 credits, grade scale: A , B, C , D, E , FX, F
• SEM1 - Seminar , 1.5 credits, grade scale: A , B, C , D, E , FX, F
For more information contact:
Göran Baurne
Department of Sustainable development, environmental science and engineering (SEED)
School of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE)
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Visiting address: Teknikringen 76, bottom floor
Phone: 08-790 8624, Mobile: 070-7227378
Email: Baurne@kth.se