Essay Topics:

Topic 1: Choose a specific, real-world problem concerning Galway City’s built environment or its maintenance. Problems can include almost any feature of the built environment, public policies or even smart technologies as long as they impact the city’s liveability.

Examples might include Galway’s traffic problem, its pedestrian or cycling infrastructure, its bus system, its suburbs, noise, the waterfront or proposed harbor, its public places, the cost of housing or rent, its public art, its shopping or cultural amenities, or even how it deals with ant-social behavior or litter.

Topic 2: Write a 2,500-word essay examining the issue you have chosen. Your essay should clearly discuss why this subject is important to Galway and its residents or visitors. It must also discuss creative ways that the problem or issue might be addressed or improved.

Essays should also make use of additional research material and international examples. Your essay should be typed and double-spaced.

Topic 3: The essay must specifically incorporate the ideas of Jan Gehl as outlined in his book Cities for People. This book is required reading for the course. Of course, additional sources should also be incorporated into your essay.