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Unit outline_

DAAE1001: Living Cities

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study reviews the challenges involved in planning the contemporary urban environment. It covers a range of perspectives, including urban planning, urban design and heritage. Students will examine the evolution of towns and cities from the first settlements to the modern metropolis, and explore the cultural, economic, political and digital drivers that shape the urban environment. It asks, 'why did cities evolve?', 'what purpose do cities serve?', 'who is the city for?', and 'how are decisions made about cities?' The contemporary urban environment is explored as a dynamic and continually evolving 'living city' that is co-created by architects, planners, urban designers and other public and private stakeholders. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of planning in shaping our towns and cities through time. They will have a basic knowledge of the key ideas that are needed for formulating planning and urban design proposals.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

DECO1006 and DECO1012 and BDES1011

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Catherine Gilbert, catherine.gilbert@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Early Feedback Task
Early Feedback Task of a multiple choice quiz on weeks 1 and 2 content
0% Week 03
Due date: 12 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Multiple choice quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment Annotated bibliography
Written task
40% Week 07
Due date: 13 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Urban portfolio
Portfolio
50% Week 11
Due date: 18 Oct 2024 at 23:59
1000 words (per person)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Presentation
10 minute group presentation Each student must present for 2 minutes
10% Week 12
Due date: 21 Oct 2024 at 11:00
10 minute
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task - This consists of a multiple choice quiz on the content of Weeks 1 and 2, including mandatory readings. 

Annotated bibliography - This is an individual assessment task. The annotated bibliography requires you to compare, contrast and discuss two of the mandatory readings for the course.  

Urban portfolio - This assessment is a group task, but it requires each group member to complete individual tasks as determined by the group. Working in groups of up to 5 people, this assessment requires you to consider a fieldwork site in relation to the urbanism themes that are covered in the lectures and readings and to consider implications for planning and or urban design.

Presentation - This assessment task requires you to give a 10 minute group presentation on your Urban Portfolio. All group members must speak (for up to two minutes) as part of the presentation. Note that presentations will be delivered in Weeks 12 and 13.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The following late penalty applies: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Understanding Urbanism Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Indigenous Cities Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Economic Cities and Planned Cities Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Designed Cities, Heritage Cities, Public Cities Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Planning and the City Part 1 - A Closer Look at Planning Systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Planning and the City Part 2 - The Planner's Toolkit Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Responding to Contemporary Urban Challenges Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Fieldwork Briefing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Self-guided Field Trip Field trip (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Research & practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Urban portfolio Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Urban Portfolio Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the School:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/542&RendNum=0  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The core text book for this course is Understanding Urbanism (Eds) Rogers, D., Keane, A., Alizadeh, T., Nelson, J.

See canvas for the reading list, by week

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate capability with critical thinking and conducting empirical, creative research in reviewing planning documents, undertaking studies and preparing reports
  • LO2. Clarify and analyse problems, use appropriate methods, and prepare proposal, critically, creatively and imaginatively
  • LO3. Identify relevant information needs and familiarity with basic review methods to source, access and use information effectively
  • LO4. Demonstrate ability as independent learners who engage in reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
  • LO5. Demonstrate independent and critical thinking with selecting and using effective and innovative techniques, designs and solution
  • LO6. Demonstrate an understanding of social, cultural and environmental responsibilities
  • LO7. Demonstrate communication skills with oral and written presentations, using quantitative, visual and other relevant forms of representation
  • LO8. Prepare and review reports, articles, plans, sites, precedents.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have added additional content on the planning system in response to student feedback.

Additional costs

You need to print assessments, take photographs, create graphs and sketch drawings. Students may bring their own devices at their own cost. Students need to travel to the field-trip site, which may incur public or private transportation costs.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.