Environmental solution logo

This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Paper

  • Environmental Ethics

    Traditionally economists have argued that humans are utility maximizers, although some behavioral economists and social psychologists have recently raised questions about this. With this in mind, please write a paper addressing the following questions.

    Read more: Environmental Ethics

  • National Environmental Policy-making

    Given what you have read in Unit 1 and what we have discussed in class, provide the simplest model you can of national environmental policy-making for any country you choose. 

    Read more: National Environmental Policy-making

  • Urban Plans (Assignment 2)

    The purpose of this exercise is to explore the nature of plans and their impact on the form and function of cities. We are interested in the motivations for creating plans, the processes by which they are prepared, the languages of urban design which underlay them, and the long-term effects of plans — or lack thereof — on the city. Having considered these issues, you are asked to answer the question: What makes a good plan?

    Read more: Urban Plans (Assignment 2)

  • Urban Change (Assignment 1)

    This assignment addresses the underlying urban dynamics that are causing a city to change. It also seeks to develop or sharpen your skills of observation, encouraging you to make inferences from the evidence of the physical environment and to test these through interviews and research.

    Read more: Urban Change (Assignment 1)

  • Partnerships/Enterprises

    Third Reflection
    Subject: Waste Management Partnership / Enterprise / Actor

    The third paper is a chance to select either a:

    • Specific actor (for example: Waste Management, Save that Stuff, Wecyclers, Sanergy, Enevo, etc.)
    • Specific partnership (for example: Casella and the City of Cambridge)
    Read more: Partnerships/Enterprises

  • Material Stream

    Second Reflection
    Subject: Difficult Waste Streams

    The goal of this paper is to explore a difficult waste stream by either looking at it through: A specific waste stream and the types of processes / disposal that can be used or evaluating a case study on how a difficult waste stream is disposed in an area.

    Difficult wastes are those which can be harmful to human health or the environment, or where the physical properties of the wastes can create serious handling problems.

    Read more: Material Stream

  • Waste Technology

    First Reflection
    Subject: Waste Management Technology

    Use this reflection to explore a waste management technology with one of three lenses:

    1. Technologies for a specific material stream – Choose one material and examine the technologies used to process / treat that material
    2. Technology Case Study – Choose three areas (cities, communities, government jurisdiction) and compare the technologies used in the three areas
    3. Specific Technology – Explore a technology in depth, its application, scale of use and considerations for purchase and implementation (like cost, size, etc.)
    Read more: Waste Technology

  • My Energy Essay (Assignment 1)

     In this first assignment you are invited to reflect about your past and envision your future building energy use.

    Read more: My Energy Essay (Assignment 1)

  • Reflection Papers (Ethics in your Life)

    Students are required to submit three short (roughly 250–300 word) reflection papers over the course of the term in response to the outside events* you attend.

    Read more: Reflection Papers (Ethics in your Life)

  • WASH Term Project

    The main deliverable for the semester is a term project which includes a project proposal, a final class presentation, and participation in the D-Lab Showcase. Guidance on content, structure, etc. of the term project will be provided in class and on the course site. You can select an individual or a team project. For those working in teams, each team member must identify a specific area for which they are responsible and their specific contribution to the overall team. The term project may be done on the same topic as your WASH Tutorial, or it may be a separate topic.

    Read more: WASH Term Project

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.