Report on methods for conducting research concerning urbanisation patterns. 1000 words plus maps, graphs, and tables.

Understanding effective methods for researching urbanisation patterns and urban sustainability. For this first assessment task you are required to prepare a short report on positives and shortfalls of applied methods of research and how you would apply these in a specified context.

More guidance, including marking criteria, will be given in Week 1 and made available on iLearn.

Throughout the semester you are introduced to a range of contemporary topics that are connected to the sustainability of cities and regions. In this assignment, you will work with other classmates to develop a group presentation that demonstrates your understanding and ability to communicate one of the topics by analysing relevant concepts and incorporating real life local or international example(s). You are welcome to choose from the list of weekly topics that interest your group (topics are given below). Groups will be assigned during Week 2 workshop. Selection of topic will be on first come first served basis. You are encouraged to be creative in your presentation and are welcome to use unconventional presentation techniques such as debates, role plays, audience interaction, skits etc.

Group presentation guidelines:

• The length of your group presentation will be determined in class but will not normally exceed 30 minutes.
• Group presentation should be structured in such a way that all students will get an equal chance to demonstrate their knowledge and individual performance can be measured.
• 50% mark will be allocated to group performance (understanding of the topic, effectiveness of group presentation with clarity, coordination and creativity) and 50% mark will be allocated to individual performance (quality of individual contribution to the group presentation).

Further details will be made available during class and through iLearn.

Suggested topics: non-humans in the city, urban underground, smart cities, migration and cities, shared dwelling, resilient cities, housing affordability, public transport, green infrastructure, zero-carbon city, active travel and shared mobility

The goal here is to critically assess the content and approach of city-wide sustainability plans.

You will produce a written report of 1500 words, including references.

Throughout the first half of the semester, you will be introduced to a number of different cities as case study examples. Use these discussions, and your wider reading, to help you choose a city outside Australia. You should then collate and analyse sustainability plans for that city. The individual report you produce should include:

• the institutional context
• the scale of planning
• key mechanisms used
• what elements (e.g. nature, land use, migration, mobility, tourism, housing, climate change, etc.) are defined as critical to sustainability.

Tips for Assessment of City Plans:

• Include an executive summary, introduction, a body (main argument) and a conclusion (answer the question).

• Consider the use of tables and diagrams to summarise your information.

• Comply with the word count and condense your work to present a concise argument.

Topic: Smart Cities

You have been introduced to the concept of smart cities in Week 3 lecture. Throughout the Unit, you have been introduced to different concepts and issues related to technology, non-humans, mobility and shared economy. These concepts push us to find new sustainable practice to build on smart cities. Especially, technology and shared/alternate/diverse economy have converged to produce a number of new forms of mobilities and urban living.

For this essay, you should not limit yourself to the unit lecture contents only. In addition, you are expected to conduct a reasonable amount of literature review that requires a critical analysis of a series of scholarly articles to answer the question:

"What are the sustainability potential and planning implications of technology and/or other disruptive forms of smart practice in cities?"

You are not expected to conduct primary research for this essay. Rather, you are to use academic and grey literature (produced by organizations outside the traditional academic publishing channels) to build your argument.

The reference list available via iLearn is a starting point, though additional references will also be expected.

Submissions requirements:

Word length: 2500 words (excluding references)

Submit via iLearn using the Turnitin link. Penalties will apply in case of late submissions.

Style: essay, no less than 1.5 line spacing and no smaller than 11pt font.

References: ensure you reference your work. See: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/academic_skills_quick guides/

You will need to reference approximately 15 academic sources (for example, articles, chapters in edited collections and books).

Reference List - available via iLearn

Task: Attend all workshops, read the assigned readings, present one of them if requested and involve in discussions.

Attendance will be recorded for all workshop sessions. If you attend less than 80% of the workshop sessions, marks will be deducted. For each week’s workshop, you need to read the two assigned readings, which are the basis of group discussions and other activities. The readings will be posted on the Unit's iLean site. Be prepared to present one of them to the class if called on by the workshop facilitator. In each week’s tutorial, two people will be selected randomly to present a brief (5 minutes) summary of one of the assigned readings and to facilitate a class discussion. You will not be allowed to use Microsoft Powerpoint or any other electronic presentation tools, but you will be allowed to use the whiteboard or any other props if you wish. Students giving group presentations in the same week are exempted from presenting the readings summary; however, they must participate in the discussion.

Your performance will be assessed using a marking sheet that indicates the strength of your contributions either through presenting readings summary or participating in discussions. All students will be expected to participate in the discussion of the readings.