Students

GEOP181 – Urban Planet: Cities and Planning in the Anthropocene

2018 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr Donna Houston
donna.houston@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
6 First Walk (W3A) Room 418
Please email me to make an appointment
Tutor, Lecturer
Dr Andrew Burridge
andrew.burridge@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
6 First Walk (W3A)
Please email me to make an appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ENVG111 or GEOS111 or GEOP111
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The unit focuses on two big ideas: urbanisation and the Anthropocene. For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population live in cities. Urbanisation and the political, cultural and economic structures that sustain urban life are key drivers of global environmental change. The unit asks the question: how are we to imagine, plan and govern cities in the Anthropocene era? What solutions to global environmental change might cities offer? Key dimensions of urban planning theory, philosophy and practice are covered, including: urban cultures, urban infrastructures and mobilities, social change and social justice, urban political economy, governance and urban ecology. Students will have the opportunity to link theory and practice through real-world projects, where Sydney will become ‘living laboratory’ for engaging with our urban planet.

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 how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

General Assessment Information

There are four assessment tasks associated with this unit.  The assessment in GEOP181 focuses on two key areas:

 (1) Developing foundational skills and knowledges for understanding urban processes, 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 GEOP181 iLearn website for additional information about the assessment items, including detailed instructions, marking criteria and marking guides.

A note on your reading log 

Your reading log and reflection is evidence of your engagement with GEOP181 throughout the semester.  It is a task that should be taken very seriously.  You will also be expected to demonstrate your engagement with GEOP181 through your written tasks and online presentation.  Students who fail to demonstrate engagement with the readings, lectures and weekly topics will not receive full marks.

Online Urban Futures Student Conference 

This task is due in Week 12.   You will need to follow the 'Special Consideration' procedure for missed presentations.

Handing in and receiving back your assignments via Turnitin

Unless otherwise specified, all assignments should be submitted online through Turnitin on the GEOP181 iLearn site.  A Turnitin link will be provided for each assignment task (with the exception of the blog entry associated with the student conference). 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

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
Critical Review 25% No 5pm Aug 31 (Week 5)
Urban Writing Task 40% No 5pm 19th Oct (Week 10)
Urban Futures Conference 15% No 5pm Oct 31 (Week 12)
Reading log (off-campus) 20% No 5pm Nov 7 (Week 13)

Critical Review

Due: 5pm Aug 31 (Week 5)
Weighting: 25%

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 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.  
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Urban Writing Task

Due: 5pm 19th Oct (Week 10)
Weighting: 40%

This is the major assessment task for the unit. You are required to write a 2000 word essay in your own words responding to a key issue related to cities and planning in the Anthropocene.  You will have a choice of responding to one of three topics included in the guide to preparing this assignment found in the assignment folder in iLearn.  The essay will require you to conduct a small independent study of an urban/planning context (local or international).  You will also be required to demonstrate independent essay research and writing skills. This includes:

1. The demonstration of a sufficient depth of reading and research related to the selected topic; 

2. Critical evaluation of the urban / planning issues related to your topic and;

2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written work    

It is essential that the essay (including all internet material) is meticulously referenced.  A detailed marking rubric and criteria for the assignment is included in the instructions for the assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Urban Futures Conference

Due: 5pm Oct 31 (Week 12)
Weighting: 15%

Expanding on your research from the urban writing project, you are asked to consider how your investigations relate to the challenges facing urban futures.  You will develop a short 3-minute recorded or video presentation.  The focus of the presentation is on the problems and possibilities of the future city.  You will be assessed on the quality and creativity of your presentation, your critical thinking skills and your ability to effectively communicate via a recorded presentation. You are required to upload your presentation to iLearn (scroll to Week 12 - Urban Futures Student Conference) by 5pm on Wednesday 31st October.  In order to receive full marks for the assignment, you are also required to post a response to other external student presentations by 5pm Wednesday 7th November.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Reading log (off-campus)

Due: 5pm Nov 7 (Week 13)
Weighting: 20%

We expect that all students will develop their planning knowledge by doing the required readings. However, we recognise the need for students who are based off-campus to have some flexibility.   To help you keep track with the unit and build your understanding of key urban issues, you are required to keep a log of your readings between weeks 2-4 and 6-11.  The log will include a brief summary and reflection on one of the required readings for each week (approximately 200-250 words).  In a separate section of the log, you are also required to write a more in-depth review of the film 'Citizen Jane' and relate what you have learnt from watching the film to issues you have explored in GEOP181 (500 words).  Please clearly title each week's reading and reflection and the film summary in your log. The completed  'Reading Log' is due in Week 13.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key philosophies of planning and how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

GEOP181 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.    

There are two required readings set for each week and it is essential that you do these readings. Readings for the unit are available on Leganto.  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 GEOP181.  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 Lecture and Tutorial Themes

Each weekly topic has supplementary material in iLearn.  Including films and clips.

Week 1 Introduction: Life on an Urban Planet

Reading log

Week 2 Planning Doctrine One: Utopias and Ideal Cities

Reading log  

Week 3 Planning Doctrine Two: Modern and Rational Planning

Reading log

Week 4 Planning Doctrine Three: Diverse Cities

Reading log

Week 5 Film Screening & Introduction to Essay

Film will be available for off-campus students to watch, assignment due

Week 6 Sensing the City

Reading  log

Week 7 Urban Mobilities

Reading log

Week 8 Urban Dwelling

Reading log

Week 9 Urban Regeneration

Reading log

Week 10 Urban Resilience

Reading log

Week 11 Urban Nature

Reading log

Week 12 Urban Future Student Conference (online presentation due)

Week 13 Urban Future Student Conference (response to other student presentations due)

 

 

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:

Undergraduate 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 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://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.

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 outcomes

  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment task

  • Urban Futures Conference

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 and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment tasks

  • Urban Writing Task
  • Urban Futures Conference

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 how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Urban Writing Task
  • Urban Futures Conference
  • Reading log (off-campus)

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 how these influence contemporary urban policies and debates
  • 2. Use key concepts of urban and planning theories to describe and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Urban Writing Task
  • Urban Futures Conference
  • Reading log (off-campus)

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 outcomes

  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment task

  • Urban Writing Task

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 and explain the perceptions of cities in terms of their structure, influences, inhabitants and environments
  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 5. Demonstrate development in communication skills, specifically those of writing and the visual and verbal presentation of work and ideas

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Review
  • Urban Writing Task
  • Urban Futures Conference
  • Reading log (off-campus)

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 outcomes

  • 3. Articulate the diverse and changing skills required by practising planners in the context of global social and environmental change
  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context

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:

Learning outcome

  • 4. Formulate and apply ethical and socially engaged planning principles though an independent investigation of a local urban context

Assessment task

  • Urban Futures Conference

Changes since First Published

Date Description
31/07/2018 I made a minor change to the schedule that would have caused some confusion to student presentations. I will notify students of the change in Week 1.