Urban Ecological Heritage Course: Theories, Applications & Case Studies | NPTEL
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 191 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Multidisciplinary, Energy, Climate and Sustainability |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
An Introduction to Urban Ecological Heritage: Theories and Applications
For centuries, cities were viewed as the very antithesis of nature—realms of concrete, steel, and human ambition, separate from the forests, wetlands, and water bodies that defined the "natural" world. Urban heritage was synonymous with preserving grand architecture and historical monuments. This long-standing dichotomy is now being fundamentally challenged. A growing recognition is emerging: cities and nature are not separate but inherently interconnected. The protection of ecological systems is not just an environmental concern but a core pillar of urban sustainability, resilience, and cultural identity.
This paradigm shift brings us to the vital concept of Urban Ecological Heritage. This innovative field expands our understanding of what constitutes heritage, urging us to see the living, breathing ecological fabric of a city—its lakes, rivers, wetlands, and green corridors—as integral to its historical and cultural legacy. It is a concept deeply aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4, which calls for efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
To navigate this exciting and critical domain, the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers a groundbreaking Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): "An Introduction to Urban Ecological Heritage: Theories and Applications." This course, sponsored by the Global Center of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (SMUS), is designed to equip participants with the theoretical frameworks and practical insights needed to understand and act upon urban ecological heritage.
Meet the Instructor: Prof. Jenia Mukherjee
This course is led by Prof. Jenia Mukherjee, an Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kharagpur. A distinguished scholar in urban environmental history and political ecology, Prof. Mukherjee brings a wealth of expertise and recognition to the program:
- Recipient of the prestigious Carson Writing Fellowship (2018-19) from the Rachel Carson Center, Munich.
- Awarded the Salzburg Global and Nippon Foundation Fellowship (2020).
- Author of the acclaimed book, "Blue Infrastructures: Natural History, Political Ecology and Urban Development in India."
- Currently leads seven international research projects exploring coastal and urban sustainability in the Global South.
- Honored with the Institute Faculty Excellence Award at IIT Kharagpur in 2021 for outstanding research and teaching.
Course Overview: Bridging Theory and Practice
This 4-week course is structured to provide a comprehensive journey from global theories to on-ground applications, with a special focus on the Global South. It moves beyond traditional silos, advocating for a transdisciplinary approach that combines history, ecology, social science, and urban planning.
Intended Audience: This course is invaluable for students, researchers, practitioners, government officials, heritage activists, environmentalists, and policy think tanks across the globe.
Prerequisites: A foundational understanding of the intersection of urbanization and the environment is recommended. Learners can refer to the NPTEL course "Urbanization and Environment" (Course ID: 109105185).
Detailed Course Layout
The curriculum is meticulously designed to build knowledge progressively, culminating in deep-dive case studies.
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Unique Pedagogical Approach
This isn't a standard lecture-based course. To bridge the gap between academia and reality, it employs an immersive pedagogy:
- Studio Lectures: Engaging classroom-style sessions explaining core theories.
- Live Interviews & Videocasts: Direct insights from activists, researchers, and practitioners working on the ground in Bangalore and Kolkata.
- Real-Life Scenarios: Participants are exposed to the complexities, challenges, and successes of actual conservation and revival projects.
Essential Reading Materials
The course draws upon seminal texts to frame its discussions, including:
- Harrison, R. (2012). Heritage: Critical Approaches. Routledge.
- Mukherjee, J. (2020). Blue Infrastructures: Natural History, Political Ecology and Urban Development in Kolkata. Springer Nature.
- Nagendra, H. (2016). Nature in the City: Bengaluru in the Past, Present, and Future. Oxford University Press.
- Harrison et al. (2020). Heritage Futures: Comparative Approaches to Natural and Cultural Heritage Practices. UCL Press.
Why Enroll in This Course?
In an era of rapid urbanization and climate vulnerability, understanding urban ecological heritage is no longer a niche interest but a critical necessity. This course offers:
- A New Lens: Learn to see cities as complex socio-ecological systems.
- Actionable Knowledge: Gain tools and frameworks applicable to research, policy, and activism.
- Global Network: Connect with a community of learners and professionals passionate about sustainable urban futures.
- Certification: Earn a certificate from NPTEL, a recognized national initiative.
Join Prof. Jenia Mukherjee in this exploratory journey to redefine heritage, champion sustainability, and contribute to building resilient cities for the future. Enroll today and be part of the movement that recognizes nature not as a backdrop to the city, but as its very heart and heritage.
Enroll Now →