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GEOP2040 – Cities of the Global South

2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Phoebe Everingham
phoebe.everingham@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
GEOP2040
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides a geographical perspective on development issues facing cities of the global South. A series of case studies are drawn upon, particularly from the Asia Pacific region, to highlight key social, economic, political and environmental issues, how they are being addressed and hopeful ways forward. The unit is structured around five themes, each providing a different viewpoint on cities and development. First, the unit introduces the concept of the global South and key urban development theories. It then explores how shared histories of colonialism and post-colonial development have shaped cities in the global South. Section three explores life in the city, looking at how people make a living, housing challenges, informality, mobility, and inequality. Section four concentrates upon environmental issues, the sustainable development goals, and how cities are entangled in processes of social and ecological change. Finally the unit reviews a range of policy interventions and considers the role of different actors in responding to development challenges and pursuing more just and resilient urban futures. Throughout the unit students will have the opportunity to focus in on a particular city of their choice and develop a deep understanding its past, present and future.

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: Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • ULO2: Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • ULO3: Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • ULO4: Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • ULO5: Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl. essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Team based learning quiz 30% No TBL1:Week 4 TBL2:week 11 TBL3 week 12 Individual and Group No Open
City analysis 30% No 21/08/2026 Individual Yes Open
Urban Development Challenge 40% No Wk 3 | Phase 2: Oct 9 | Phase 3:Nov 11 Individual No Open

Team based learning quiz

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: TBL1:Week 4 TBL2:week 11 TBL3 week 12
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Three team based learning multiple choice quizzes will take place that test student learning and build communication skills.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

City analysis

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 21/08/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

The city analysis requires students to analyse a city in the global south, tracing its history, geography, development challenges and future. 1500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

Urban Development Challenge

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Wk 3 | Phase 2: Oct 9 | Phase 3:Nov 11
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will be required to develop a public consultation document, consult with peers, and make a presentation that addresses a development challenge in a city of their choice. Discussions will be focused on building skills to research the development challenge, present data in online and verbal formats and consult with peers.  
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

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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:

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.

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:

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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 2026.02 of the Handbook