Students
ENVG281 – Cities and Planning
2015 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Donna Houston
Contact via Email
W3A 418
Please email me to make an appointment
Tutor
Ashraful Alam
Contact via Email
W3A 422
Please email to make an appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENVG111 or GEOS111
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit has two objectives. The first is to develop an understanding of the processes and characteristics of cities in Australia and internationally. Key dimensions of cities are covered, including: urban growth; densities and regeneration; housing; urban cultures; urban labour markets; and impacts of economic and social change. Its second objective is to introduce the theories and methods used by planners. Topics include histories and philosophies of planning and contemporary planning practice. Real-world examples and applications are developed across the focus on both cities and planning.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
General Assessment Information
There are five assessment tasks associated with this unit. But don't panic! Some of these tasks are associated with attendance and active participation in class, rather than formal written assignments. The assessment in ENVG281 focuses on two key areas:
(1) Developing foundational skills and knowledges for understanding urban dynamics, spaces and places through the exploration and application of urban theory to urban spaces, and
(2) Developing foundational skills in the written, verbal and visual communication of spatial / urban planning concepts and ideas
The assessment tasks for this unit cover a range of activities and are listed below. Please make sure that you check the ENVG281 iLearn website for additional information about the assessment items, including detailed instructions, marking criteria and marking guides.
A note on participation tasks (assessment items 4 and 5).
While the lectures will be recorded and made available through Echo360 on iLearn, regular attendance at the lectures is strongly encouraged and it is compulsory to attend all of the scheduled tutorials and the student conference in weeks 12 and 13. This means that in ENVG281 we will be recording both your attendance in the tutorials and your participation in class discussions.
Role-play and Urban Futures Student Conference
Assessment task 5 is associated with your "participation" marks for the unit and will involve your participation in a Week 10 role play (5%) and your attendance and participation in the student conference in Weeks 12 and 13 (5%). In order to receive these marks you must attend class and you will need to take an active role in the sessions. If you miss any of these sessions, you will need to have a very good reason and provide Donna with a medical note or documentation that is consistent with Macquarie University's "Disruption to Studies" policy (see policies and procedures below). The Urban Futures Student Conference is your final piece of assessment for the unit (there is no final exam for this unit) and it is very important to your final result in ENVG281 that you take this exercise very seriously and be generous in your time and attention to other students presenting their work.
Handing in and receiving back your assignments via Turnitin
Unless otherwise specified, all assignments should be submitted online through Turnitin on the ENVG281 iLearn site. A Turnitin link will be provided for each assignment task (with the exception of the blog entry associated with the student conference). The Turnitin link can be found in the right sidebar on the main page. Please make sure that all assignments are submitted on time - by 5pm on the due date. Donna will post an announcement on iLearn when the marks are released back via Turnitin, so please make sure that you check iLearn and your Macquarie student email regularly throughout the semester to keep up-to-date with important notices and instructions, feedback and marks for your assignments.
Penalties for late assignments
Late assignments will be penalised with the deduction of 10% of the total mark per day the assignment is late (this includes weekends). Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Please refer to Macquarie University "Disruption to Studies" policy for guidance and contact Donna as soon as possible if you are experiencing circumstances that are preventing you from completing your assessments on time.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Review | 20% | 5pm, Fri Aug 28 (Week 5) |
| Urban Field Project | 35% | 5pm Fri Oct 16 (Week 10) |
| Urban Futures Conference | 20% | Weeks 12 and 13 |
| Planning keyword | 15% | Weeks 3-11 |
| Active participation | 10% | Weeks 10, 12 and 13 |
Critical Review
Due: 5pm, Fri Aug 28 (Week 5)
Weighting: 20%
The lectures and tutorials in weeks 2, 3 and 4 introduce three key urban planning doctrines which have profoundly influenced planning knowledge and practice. Your task is to choose one planning doctrine (planning the ideal city; modern rational planning or participatory/deliberative planning) and write a 1200 word critical review of the key ideas and thinkers that have shaped the planning doctrine. You will be asked to discuss the strengths and limitations of the doctrine. Please submit the assignment through the Turnitin link for this task in iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Urban Field Project
Due: 5pm Fri Oct 16 (Week 10)
Weighting: 35%
The urban field project is the major assessment item for this unit. This is where you will be asked to apply planning theory to a real world context. Your task is to select a field study site in Sydney or your local area and to investigate the site from an urban planning/design perspective. This will include observing the site and documenting the space in terms of how it is used; its rules, signs and regulations; its design elements; and its cultural meanings and representations. Your site analysis will form a case study for a 2000 word essay in which you will apply planning/urban theory to your selected site.
This assessment will be completed in three steps. Step one will involve the selection of the site and you will be asked to develop your thinking about your assignment in a field project activity to be completed class in week 5. The activity will help you to clarify your project and to receive feedback about your selection and approach to the project from your tutor. Step two involves the site analysis itself. This is where you will visit your site and conduct observations and it may involve visiting your site more than once. In some cases you may be able to record your surroundings on your smart phone - though please be careful not to do this in places where you might get into trouble for it! Step three will involve applying urban theory to your site observations in the form of a 2000 word essay. In your written essay, you will need to include evidence of your reading and research on your chosen topic (in the form of in-text citations and a reference list) and evidence of your field observations (in the form of sketches, photos, and observations) to receive a pass for the assignment.
Detailed instructions and ideas for this assignment will be made available through iLearn and discussed in the lectures. Please submit your assignment to the Turnitin link on iLearn by the due time and date.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Urban Futures Conference
Due: Weeks 12 and 13
Weighting: 20%
Drawing on your research from the field project, you are asked to consider how your investigations relate to the challenges facing urban futures. You will develop a short 5-minute presentation (in the form of a poste, short film, powerpoint or prezi - but please limit your presentation to 2-3 slides). The focus of the presentation is on the problems and possibilities of the future city - so please do not be shy in putting your ideas about what our urban futures should look like out there! You will be assessed on the quality of your visual presentation, your delivery and ability to keep to time, your responses to questions from the conference audience, and the submission of your presentation 'highlights' on a blog set up for the conference in iLearn. Your project will not be marked unless you present and submit your blog entry to the conference wiki/blog on iLearn.
Further details and instructions about this assessment will be posted on iLearn. Your must submit your blog post based on your conference to the iLearn wiki/blog no later than 5pm on Monday 2nd November.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Planning keyword
Due: Weeks 3-11
Weighting: 15%
We have kept the readings for the tutorials as short and snappy as possible - a difficult task in a unit about the history and theory of planning! Therefore we expect that you do the readings each week and come prepared for a discussion in class. To help facilitate exciting tutorial discussions and collectively build our planning/urbanism vocabularies, you are required to sign up to lead a tutorial discussion in one week (between weeks 3-11). To lead the discussion you will explore the topic for your selected week by introducing a planning keyword. In class, you will discuss your keyword and how it relates to the readings. You may bring a stimulus for the class discussion in the form of a media article or a short media clip. You will then be required to submit your keyword to Turnitin (your definition should be no longer than 400 words, excluding references). The keywords will be uploaded onto an urban planning glossary wiki on iLearn. The glossary will serve as resource and reference guide for all students in ENVG281. It is expected that more than one student will be presenting each week, if this is the case, please make sure that you have selected a different keyword from your classmates (you will need to check with your tutor). You are encouraged to go beyond the required readings and explore other resources to help you define your keyword.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Active participation
Due: Weeks 10, 12 and 13
Weighting: 10%
You will receive a 5% participation mark for your attendance and participation in (1) the week 10 role play (5%) and (2) the Urban Futures Student Conference (in the lecture time slot 11-1pm) in Weeks 12 and 13 (5%). Please note that you will need to attend the whole conference to receive your participation mark. You will be marked on attendance and participation. The week 10 role play takes place in a week where your major essay is due on the Friday. We have not scheduled any readings or planning keyword presentations for this week. The role play scenario will be posted on iLearn in week 9.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Delivery and Resources
ENVG281 Cities and Planning is taught over 13 weeks in a lecture/tutorial format. Each week, a two hour time slot is set aside for lectures and one hour for tutorials. The lectures will be recorded and made available via Echo360 which is linked to the iLearn page. Please note that there is a guided walking tour of Macquarie Park scheduled in the lecture slot (11am-1pm) in week 5. There are two required readings set for each week and it is essential that you do these readings. Donna will provide more information about how you can access the readings for the the unit in week one. A list of classic and recommended readings is available on iLearn to assist you with the preparation of assignments. You are strongly encouraged to read widely on a range of urban theories and issues beyond the set requirements of the unit.
It is extremely important that you have regular access to a computer and iLearn in ENVG281. Not only will lecture slides and notes be posted on iLearn, it is also where you will submit your assignments via the Turnitin link and receive feedback. Donna will post important notices via the announcements tool. A separate dialogue will be set up for on campus and off-campus students where you can post any questions that you may have. The link to the iLearn login page is: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Unit Schedule
| Weekly Topic | Lecture | Tutorial | Things to Note |
| 1. Introduction |
L1 Introduction to the Unit L2 Planning on a planet of Cities |
Introductions and questions, Unit guide
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Please attend tutorial this week! |
| 2. Urban Planning Doctrine 1: Ideal Cities and Planning |
L3 What Cities ought to Be L4 Who Are Cities For? Public Realms and Spaces |
Introducing the field project & keyword assignments | |
| 3. Urban Planning Doctrine 2: The Rise of Modern Planning |
L5 Expert Designs: Spatial Planning and the Urban Growth Machine L6 The Right to the City |
Begin student-led discussions with planning keywords |
Planning keywords should be submitted to the ilearn glossary on the day of the tutorial presentation |
| 4. Urban Planning Doctrine 3: The Deliberative Turn |
L7 Diverse Cities L8 The Deliberative Turn |
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| 5. Urban Spaces | Sydney Field Study: Macquarie Park Walking Tour (meet in lecture theatre, compulsory) | No student lead presentations -Field Project briefing - in class exercise | Critical Review essay due to Turnitin in iLearn by 5pm on Friday 28th September. |
| 6. |
L9 Sensing the City L10 Urban Field Project Assignment Workshop |
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| 7. |
L11 Moving through the City L12 Transport planning |
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| Semester Break | Monday Sept 14-Friday Sept 25 | ||
| 8. Urban Change |
L13 Urban regeneration L14 Development processes |
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| 9. | Public Holiday - no classes this week | ||
| 10. Urban Dwelling |
L15 Master-planned community and residential development L16 Home and home-making |
Week 10 role play in class - no set readings or presentations or keyword entries for this week |
Remember that there is a 5% attendance and participation mark for this week's tutorial activity Your urban field project assignment is due to Turnitin in iLearn by Friday October 16 by 5pm |
| 11. Urban Nature |
L19 The Climate-changed City L20 Planning multispecies cities |
This is the last student led class with planning keywords | |
| 12. | Urban Futures Student Conference (compulsory) | No tutorials |
Short presentation on a topic related to urban futures. There is a 5% attendance mark for attending all of the presentations in week 12 & 13
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| 13. |
Urban Futures Student Conference (compulsory)
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No tutorials | Please submit blog post to the urban futures conference wiki on iLearn by 5pm on November 2. |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment tasks
- Urban Field Project
- Urban Futures Conference
- Active participation
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment tasks
- Urban Futures Conference
- Active participation
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment tasks
- Critical Review
- Urban Field Project
- Urban Futures Conference
- Planning keyword
- Active participation
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and their changes since the nineteenth century
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment tasks
- Critical Review
- Urban Field Project
- Urban Futures Conference
- Planning keyword
- Active participation
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment task
- Urban Field Project
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe or explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and other factors
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
- 4. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas
Assessment tasks
- Critical Review
- Urban Field Project
- Urban Futures Conference
- Planning keyword
- Active participation
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners
Assessment tasks
- Urban Field Project
- Active participation
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Urban Futures Conference