By integrating interdisciplinary skills, and ecological, social science and engineering perspectives, you will learn how to assess infrastructure projects not only for their environmental effects but also for their alignment with nature-based solutions (NbS) and community values. Through case studies from Africa, Europe, and Asia, you will develop practical capabilities in ecological systems evaluation, stakeholder mapping and analysis, and application of cooperative game theory to identify potential coalitions and trade-offs. The course develops competencies in using ecological and engineering design principles, conducting social impact assessments, and applying biomimicry thinking in real-world contexts. You will learn how to synthesise findings into socially inclusive strategies for sustainable infrastructure planning—skills essential for modern EIAs that go beyond compliance to champion equity and innovation.

• Students will be able to reflect on the importance of nature-based solution approaches in infrastructure development within complex social-ecological systems.

• Students will be able to articulate both engineering and ecological principles in the context of case studies.

• Students will be able to articulate and apply the knowledge and assessment skills to a ‘real-life’ assignment in South Africa.

• Students will be able to reflect on the importance of social context and the inclusion of stakeholders in infrastructure development within complex social-ecological situations.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to map stakeholder analysis for infrastructure development

• Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to articulate and apply social design principles to case studies from Africa, the Netherlands and Indonesia.

Week 1 – Importance of Nature-based Solution (NbS) approaches and ecological principles.

Week 2 – Engineering principles for NbS through global case studies, and application through a local case study.

Week 3 – Importance of social context and social principles for NbS.

Week 4 – Power and stakeholder mapping.

Week 5 – Biomimicry for inspiring design ideas. Student assignment presentation.

• 45% class work – presentations; assignments (case study report); discussions; quizzes

• 55% final exam