Students
ENVS8229 – Sustainable Cities
2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Peter Davies
Lecturer
David Martin
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MSc or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MEnvPlan or MPlan or MConsBiol or MPH or MMarScMgt or MScInnovationEnvSc or MSusDev or GradDipResFSE or GradCertResFSE
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines scientific and technical principles related to the management of sustainable cities. Major themes include city biodiversity and blue-green infrastructure (e.g. green walls and living seawalls), waste management (e.g. scientific innovation to support a circular economy and smart sensing technologies), air, land and water pollution (e.g. regulation and reduction through water sensitive urban design), and resource management (e.g. urban agriculture and vertical farming). The challenges for sustainable cities in a changing climate will be explored through each major theme. Different local, national and international case studies will be explored to demonstrate key concepts in the science and management of sustainable cities. The unit includes a field trip where students will apply their knowledge to enhance sustainability in an urban context. Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Clean Water and Sanitation; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action |
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: demonstrate an understanding of the socio-technical principles affecting the planning and management of sustainable cities
- ULO2: apply your understanding of sustainable cities to critically evaluate relevant case studies
- ULO3: identify and assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in making cities sustainable
- ULO4: demonstrate individual and group writing and research skills for different target audiences
General Assessment Information
Assignments are the means used to assess if you have reached the learning outcomes for the unit. The criteria by which the assignment will be marked are made clear in each case. As a rough guide, 10 marks is equivalent to about 10 hours of quality work.
Evidence of wide and comprehensive reading is required, drawing on journals, international examples, thought pieces, and reports. All ideas must be cited inclusive of the source/author. Unless otherwise stated in the detailed assessment guide, any recognised referencing style may be used so long as it is consistent and accurate.
Detailed information on assessment tasks, marking criteria, and supporting resources will be provided via the iLearn site.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability index and data report | 25% | No | 29/08/2025 |
| Application of a sustainability index | 25% | No | 19/09/2025 |
| Sustainability plan evaluation | 50% | No | 30/10/2025 |
Sustainability index and data report
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 29/08/2025
Weighting: 25%
This is an individual assessment where you will develop a sustainability index. The index can be designed to be used at the different geographic scales (e.g. neighbourhood to city) or to assess a particular land use type (e.g. parks and recreation facilities, high-rise residential developments).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the socio-technical principles affecting the planning and management of sustainable cities
- apply your understanding of sustainable cities to critically evaluate relevant case studies
- demonstrate individual and group writing and research skills for different target audiences
Application of a sustainability index
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 19/09/2025
Weighting: 25%
This group task requires students to refine and apply a sustainability index (building on Assessment 1), report the findings and data, and present the outcomes to the class in small groups.
Sparkplus is used to provide an individual score based on the quality of the group task. Individual scores are determined through specific questions where students in the group assess each other and also provide a self-assessment of their contribution. Written comments are also required to validate the numeric scores.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the socio-technical principles affecting the planning and management of sustainable cities
- apply your understanding of sustainable cities to critically evaluate relevant case studies
- identify and assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in making cities sustainable
- demonstrate individual and group writing and research skills for different target audiences
Sustainability plan evaluation
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 30/10/2025
Weighting: 50%
Critically evaluate sustainable city plans or strategies drawing on both theory and practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the socio-technical principles affecting the planning and management of sustainable cities
- apply your understanding of sustainable cities to critically evaluate relevant case studies
- identify and assess the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in making cities sustainable
- demonstrate individual and group writing and research skills for different target audiences
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
The unit is delivered in person and workshop recordings will be available on Echo360.
The content is based on a fortnightly workshop program supported by a core reading/s and a fieldtrip in the mid-semester break. The teaching process includes:
- Background reading by the students
- Interactive group sessions to provide opportunities for experiential learning on tasks and through discussion with other class members (preparation is essential)
- A field trip to appreciate the practical, technical and socio-ecological aspects of sustainable cities.
- Assignments that require students to practice key skills, including critical and integrative thinking and communicating through diverse forms including writing and presenting in a logical and clearly argued manner.
- Assignments provide opportunities for presenting in different formats, working with people of different skills and cultural perspectives.
Students are expected to:
- participate in group activities
- read set readings in advance for classes and
- follow current developments about sustainable cities in the media/ internationally.
There is a mandatory field trip scheduled for 12 September 2025. This will be a full day activity starting at Green Square and concluding at Barangaroo.
Unit Schedule
|
Date |
Fri Workshop 1-4pm |
Fri Workshop 4-7pm |
Assessment and due date |
|
|
1 (31) |
1 Aug |
No class |
||
|
2 (32) |
8 Aug |
Introduction to Sustainable Cities and sustainability ranking tools (PD) |
Sustainability indices (PD) Cities and wellbeing.
|
|
|
3 (33) |
15 Aug |
No class |
||
|
4 (34) |
22 Aug |
Open space, recreation and placemaking for cities.
Urban ecology, green infrastructure and green city planning approaches (PD) |
Green Infrastructure (David Martin)
Tutorial on nature-based solutions (DM)
|
|
|
5 (35) |
29 Aug |
No class Assessment 1 Sustainability Index 29 August |
||
|
6 (36) |
5 Sept |
Transport and mobility, accessibility (PTAL) and socio-economic (dis)advantage (SEIFA index) (MC) |
Local government sustainability planning
Tutorial: how to make sustainability local |
|
|
7 (37) |
12 Sep |
Fieldtrip 9am-4pm (DM, PD) |
||
|
8 (38) |
19 Sep |
The circular economy
Tutorial exercise: developing a local waste and recycling management program
|
Group presentations (Assessment 2)
Community empowerment and action in sustainability planning (PD)
|
Assessment 2 Sustainability index and data report (including in class ppt) 19 Sept
|
|
RECESS |
||||
|
9 (41) |
10 Oct |
|
||
|
10 (42) |
17 Oct |
Urban climate, Nearmap and land surface temperature (MC) |
Sydney Olympic Park Sustainability Framework (David Martin)
Tutorial on how to masterplan a site for sustainability
|
|
|
11 (43) |
24 Oct |
No class |
||
|
12 (44) |
31 Oct |
Sustainability governance and decision making
A decentralised city – a sharing economy (PD)
|
Future of cities (PD)
|
Assessment 3: Plan evaluation (50%) Due 30 Oct
|
|
13 (45) |
7 Nov |
No class |
|
|
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook