Cities are not totally built and artificial environments; they also contain many natural elements within them in terms of flora, fauna, hydrology, soils, air and climate. In addition to this, cities are embedded in natural systems. Urban settlements demand resources beyond their confines, for example food, water, energy and materials, and also export elements beyond their boundaries, for example in the form of solid and liquid waste. Cities around the world are located in different geographical contexts: these different contexts have been very important in the evolution and development of the different cities. Organizing environmental management in a city can be a significant challenge in terms of public administration and urban policy. Should there be a specialized division or department, or should environmental issues be part of all administrative divisions; since the environment is cross cutting, how can communication and collaboration among stakeholders be facilitated; how should urban environmental issues be incorporated into the policy agenda and in urban planning; what is the role of the state, the market and the community; what tools are available to carry out urban environmental management – these will be some of questions that will be addressed throughout the course. The class can be used in the Graduate Programs in International Affairs specifically as an elective in the Cities and Social Justice concentration of the MA program, or for the Urban Design Critical Tools and Analysis module for the MS program, however, it is also open to graduate students in other New School programs.