Students

GEOP3070 – Urban Economies

2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dr Miriam Williams
Contact via Email
Level 4, 25B Wallys Walk, Macquarie University
Please contact via email to arrange a time.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Cities are the drivers of the national and international economy. This unit explores the role of firms, households and governments in shaping economic processes in cities, with a focus on Australian cities. The unit will explore four key themes. First, the unit investigates the major international and domestic drivers of the urban economy. Second, the unit explores some of the main theoretical approaches used in economic geography to understand urban economic processes. Third, financial processes related to infrastructure delivery and land/housing economics are investigated. Finally, issues of urban productivity, employment and disadvantage are explored. Through the investigation of theory, economic and planning policy and detailed analysis of case studies, students will develop an understanding of the complex economic processes which shape cities.

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:

  • ULO1: Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • ULO2: Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • ULO3: Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • ULO4: Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 35% No 5 pm Friday 18th September 2020
Research report 35% No 5pm Friday 30th October 2020
Tutorial portfolio 30% No 5pm Friday 6th November 2020

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 5 pm Friday 18th September 2020
Weighting: 35%

Essay (2,000 words) exploring one of the key theoretical frameworks used to explore economic processes in cities.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

Research report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 5pm Friday 30th October 2020
Weighting: 35%

Research report (2,000 words) on employment and economic disadvantage across Sydney.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

Tutorial portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5pm Friday 6th November 2020
Weighting: 30%

A portfolio of work completed in the tutorials. The portfolio will include: summaries of key theoretical readings (x2), completion of development feasibility and cost-benefit tasks (including critical reflection) and analysis of economic policy.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

A detailed unit schedule, topic readings and additional information will be provided on the ilearn page for this unit.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.