Geography

This course provides a framework of sustainable waste management in the context of a metropolitan city like Hong Kong. The interactions among economic activities, human activities and waste management problems and solutions are covered. The waste challenges and waste management hierarchy are examined covering waste reduction, minimization, recycling, treatment and disposal. A multi-disciplinary approach is adopted to prompt students to critically re-examine their values and lifestyles in relation to the waste management challenges facing a city like Hong Kong. An international perspective is adopted to enable students to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of different waste management policies and practices. The spatial implications of waste management policies and infrastructure are analyzed. The role of technology in waste management and treatment is also discussed. The course concludes with a critical look at values, lifestyles, policies and technologies as the key drivers of change for sustainable waste management for long term sustainability of a city like Hong Kong.

This course explores the relationship between the natural sciences, specifically their abiotic aspects, and geography. It discusses the fundamental concepts of astronomy, geology, geophysics, and hydrology, and their application to spatial studies. Topics include: the Earth's position and movements and their impact on the distribution of solar energy; characteristics and composition of solid materials exposed on Earth's surface-- minerals and rocks; dynamics and evolution of the lithosphere and its influence on the earth-- global tectonics and geological history; basic characteristics, composition, and general dynamics of the hydrosphere.

This course explores the consequences and crisis that biodiversity is facing under global change, with a focus on the effects of climate change on biodiversity and how it affects human societies. In particular, it addresses key questions such as: How do climate and climate change lead to changes in biodiversity on land and oceans at genetic, species and ecosystem levels? Does climate change interact with other global change drivers (e.g., invasive species, habitat alteration) to influence biodiversity? What are the effects of climate changes on species extinctions and interactions between species? Do changes in biodiversity affect human wellbeing and society? In order to address these questions, the course reads and discusses the primary literature, participate in lectures and discussions, and engages in a series of exercises and experiments.

This course introduces the analysis and regional understanding of the new territorial reality existing in Spain, based on the changes in the valuation of physical and productive resources, the new organization of the State, and the socioeconomic repercussions of the internationalization of the economy and integration into the European Economic Community. Emphasis is placed on the necessary skills to analyze, explain, and synthesize the geographical factors that give Spanish regions their unique character and diversity during the last decades, paying attention to city typologies and urbanization models.

Earth’s surface is constantly changing. Understanding how and why these changes occur is a key skill for those across the Earth Sciences, from physical and human geographers to geo- and environmental scientists. This course focuses on the role of water in the evolution of Earth’s landscape. Through investigating water-driven processes and sediment transport, students gain first-hand experience in constructing simple models to help them estimate the rate and magnitude of surface processes. Students also practice sediment classification, quantitative problem solving, and map making.

This course explores the geographical, physical, demographic, and economic characteristics of the Madrid region. It discusses the origin, formation, and historical evolution of Madrid. This course also focuses on the current urban, economic, and territorial processes in the Community of Madrid, as well as the city's role in a globalized world.

This course introduces the concept of sustainability through the lens of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and shows how to quantify the progress towards sustainable development. It enhances students’ understanding of the issues relating to sustainable development and quantification of sustainable development. Although the course cannot provide complete answers to the issues, it helps develop students’ ability of critical thinking and suggest promising directions in which answers may be sought.

This course teaches students how money and finance, and processes of global political economy more broadly, enable, shape, and condition development, environment, and conservation processes. It draws on economic geography, but also social, financial, and cultural geography, anthropology, development studies, and work on society and environment relations. The course includes examples of financialization, conservation, and eco-system services from the UK, Africa, and Asia. 

The course covers a wide variety of tourism typologies and the spaces they shape. Through the analysis of different tourism models—such as golf, nautical, nature, cultural, ski, and urban tourism—it explores how specific tourist practices develop around key resources and how they impact territories socially, economically, and environmentally.

This course explores the role of geography in understanding the structure and transformation of human spaces. Students learn how to interpret the spatial distribution of populations, economic activities, and political divisions, and to assess how these elements interact to shape the territory. The course also addresses the importance of sustainability and territorial equity in a globalizing world.