Urban ecologySyllabus

Subject code

İFS-4199y

Credits

6

Student workload

180

Semester

Autumn semester

Academic year

2025-2026

Subject type

Elective

Form of education

Full-time

Language of instruction

Azerbaijani

In-class hours

a) 45 saat mühazirə b) 30 saat seminar

Out-of-class hours

a) 42 saat MRTSİ b) 63 saat TSİ

This subject teaches the formation of urban ecosystems, the impact of urbanization on the environment, and environmental problems related to urbanization. within the subject, the ecological condition of the urban environment, air, water and soil pollution, waste management, green infrastructure, ecological planning and the principles of sustainable urban development are analyzed.

• interactive discussion
• seminar
• teamwork
• problem-based learning
• presentations
• case study
• lecture

1. 1

   CLO 1: Explains the basic concepts, principles and characteristics of urban ecosystems of urban ecology.

2. 2

   CLO 2: Analyzes the effects of urbanization on the environment and ecosystems.

3. 3

   CLO 3: It identifies the sources of air, water, soil and noise pollution in the urban environment.

4. 4

   CLO 4: The city applies methods of assessment and monitoring of environmental problems.

5. 5

   CLO 5: It justifies the principles of protection of urban ecosystems and sustainable urban development.

6. 6

   CLO 6: It offers measures aimed at improving the ecological condition of the urban environment.

1. 1.
   City and urban environment. concept of city and urban environment.Lecture

   The city and urban environment is a complex system in which people live, work and socialize. the urban environment is formed as a result of the interaction of natural and anthropogenic components. it includes residential areas, transport infrastructure, green areas, industrial facilities and utilities. the development of cities creates conditions for raising the standard of living of the population and expanding economic activity. at the same time, urbanization can cause environmental problems. therefore, proper planning and management of the urban environment is of great importance.

2. 2.
   Modern city.Seminar

   The city and urban environment is a complex system in which people live, work and socialize. the urban environment is formed as a result of the interaction of natural and anthropogenic components. it includes residential areas, transport infrastructure, green areas, industrial facilities and utilities. the development of cities creates conditions for raising the standard of living of the population and expanding economic activity. at the same time, urbanization can cause environmental problems. therefore, proper planning and management of the urban environment is of great importance.

3. 3.
   Urban ecosystems.Seminar

   Since cities are densely populated areas, they consume a large amount of natural resources. water, energy, land, building materials and food are the main resources of urban life. industry, transport and domestic activities further increase the demand for these resources. inefficient use of resources leads to increased waste, energy losses and environmental pollution. the interaction between people and the urban environment plays an important role in shaping the quality of life. economical use of resources and environmental management are considered essential for sustainable development.

4. 4.
   Urban environment and population health.Lecture

   The urban environment is an important factor that directly affects the physical and psychological health of the population. air, water and land pollution, noise, traffic congestion and industrial waste can cause various health problems. lack of green areas and disturbance of ecological balance lowers the quality of life of people. a clean environment, quality drinking water and safe living conditions are the main conditions for a healthy life. proper planning of the urban environment helps prevent disease and improve human well-being. therefore, ensuring environmental safety is one of the important directions of urban development.

5. 5.
   Negative effects of the urban environment on the population.Seminar

   Environmental problems arising in the urban environment have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of the population. air pollution, noise, water and land pollution, traffic congestion and industrial waste are considered the main negative factors. these factors can lead to an increase in respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases. the reduction of green areas and the acceleration of urbanization also have a negative effect on the psychological condition of people. environmental pollution disrupts the ecological balance and worsens living conditions. therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the ecological condition of the urban environment.

6. 6.
   Urban and industrial enterprises.Seminar

   Although industrial enterprises play an important role in the economic development of cities, they have significant effects on the environment. during production processes, harmful gases and dust particles are released into the atmosphere, water bodies and soil can be polluted with various wastes. noise and industrial wastes caused by industrial activity also reduce the quality of the urban environment. these effects lead to ecological imbalances and increased risks to public health. application of modern technologies and compliance with environmental standards are important in reducing these negative effects. environmental responsibility of industrial enterprises is one of the main conditions for protecting the urban environment.

7. 7.
   Impact of energy and transport on the environment of cities. air environment of citiesLecture

   Although energy and transport are the main areas that ensure the development of cities, they have a serious impact on the environment. harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, sulfur and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere during the production of electricity and thermal energy. motor transport is one of the main sources of air pollution and noise. the increase in fuel consumption affects climate change by increasing the amount of greenhouse gases. improving energy efficiency and using environmentally friendly vehicles can reduce these impacts. application of alternative energy sources is important for sustainable urban development.

8. 8.
   Health of urban population.Seminar

   The air environment of cities is important for human health and ecological balance. atmospheric air quality is mainly formed as a result of transport, industrial enterprises, energy facilities and household activities. dust, smoke and harmful gases released from these sources cause air pollution. air pollution increases respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as adversely affects ecosystems. increasing green areas and reducing emissions play an important role in improving air quality. regular monitoring of the air environment helps to ensure environmental safety.

9. 9.
   Characteristics of atmospheric pollutants and classification of pollution sourcesLecture

   Atmospheric pollutants are chemical, physical and biological components that change the natural composition of the air and have a negative impact on the environment. major pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust particles, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. sources of pollution are divided into two groups according to their origin: natural and anthropogenic. natural sources include volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and dust storms, while anthropogenic sources include industries, transportation, energy, and domestic activities. in addition, pollution sources are also classified as stationary and mobile sources based on their location. these substances released into the atmosphere worsen the air quality and cause serious damage to human health and ecosystems.

10. 10.
    Classification of pollution sources.Seminar

    The classification of pollution sources is carried out in order to determine from which sources and with what characteristics harmful substances enter the atmosphere. according to their origin, pollution sources are divided into two groups: natural and anthropogenic. natural sources include volcanic eruptions, forest fires, dust storms, and plant emissions. anthropogenic sources originate from industrial enterprises, thermal power plants, vehicles, agriculture and household activities. according to their location, the sources are classified as stationary and mobile, and according to the distribution nature, they are classified as point, linear and area sources. this classification plays a key role in the assessment of atmospheric pollution, monitoring and development of effective environmental measures.

11. 11.
    Air basin protection measures. microclimate of the urban environmentLecture

    Air basin protection is a set of measures aimed at preventing atmospheric pollution and improving air quality. these measures include the introduction of gas purification devices in industrial enterprises, reduction of harmful emissions, use of environmentally friendly fuel and renewable energy sources. control of the technical condition of vehicles, development of public transport and expansion of electric transport are also important. increasing green areas in cities, protecting forests and creating new green belts help clean the air. regular monitoring of atmospheric air and compliance with the requirements of environmental legislation ensure effective protection of the air basin.

12. 12.
    Methodology for calculating the amount of harmful substances contained in enterprise waste in atmospheric airSeminar

    The method of calculating the amount of harmful substances contained in the enterprise waste in the atmospheric air is an important method used to assess the impact of emissions on the environment. during the calculations, the waste composition, mass consumption of polluting substances, chimney height, gas outlet speed and temperature, as well as meteorological indicators are taken into account. based on these data, the spread of pollutants in the atmosphere and the concentrations they can create on the earth's surface are determined. the obtained results are compared with the normative permissible limit concentrations and the environmental risk is assessed. the calculation methodology serves for the planning of atmospheric air protection measures, the selection of ways to reduce emissions and compliance with the requirements of environmental legislation. regular calculations make it possible to monitor the impact of enterprises on the environment and to keep air quality under control.

13. 13.
    Water environment of cities. the main ways and methods of wastewater treatment.Lecture

    The water environment of cities includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs, groundwater and water supply systems located in urban areas. these water sources play an important role in providing the population with drinking water and meeting domestic and industrial needs. industrial waste, domestic sewage and rainwater are the main causes of water basin pollution. water pollution degrades water quality, damages ecosystems and poses a threat to human health. therefore, efficient management, protection and regular monitoring of water resources is of great importance in terms of environmental safety of cities.

14. 14.
    Biochemical treatment of waste waterSeminar

    Biochemical treatment of waste water is a cleaning method based on the decomposition of organic pollutants in water as a result of the activity of microorganisms. during this process, bacteria and other microorganisms oxidize organic matter, turning it into carbon dioxide, water, and simple mineral compounds. biochemical purification is carried out by aerobic and anaerobic methods. in aerobic processes, oxygen is provided for the activity of microorganisms and devices such as activated sludge and biofilter are used. in anaerobic processes, organic substances are decomposed in an oxygen-free environment and biological gas (bigas) is formed. this method significantly improves water quality by reducing biological oxygen demand (bot) and chemical oxygen demand (cod) in wastewater.

15. 15.
    Lands of urban areas. dangerous geological processes in the urban areaLecture

    The land of urban areas is one of the main natural resources where residential, industrial, transport and green zones are located. these soils undergo physical and chemical changes due to the effects of construction works, industrial waste, domestic activities and traffic. accumulation of heavy metals, oil products and other pollutants in the soil reduces its fertility and worsens its ecological condition. proper management of waste, increase of green areas and recultivation of contaminated land are important for the protection of urban land. regular monitoring of soils helps to maintain their quality and ensure environmental safety of the urban environment.

16. 16.
    Microclimate of the city.Seminar

    The microclimate of the city is the local climate conditions that are formed in the urban area and differ from the climate of the surrounding rural and natural areas. the formation of microclimate is influenced by the dense location of buildings, the wide spread of asphalt and concrete pavements, the intensity of traffic, industrial activity and the amount of green areas. these factors cause an increase in temperature in the city, a weakening of air circulation and a change in the humidity regime. as a result, the "urban heat island" effect occurs, air quality deteriorates and energy consumption increases. the establishment of green belts, protection of parks and water bodies, as well as the implementation of proper urban planning measures help to improve the microclimate. the study of microclimate is important for ensuring environmental safety in cities and improving people's living conditions.

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