School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Urban Design Case Study
  • Unit Code

    PLN3623
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Edward Edmond ANDRE

Description

This unit provides students with the skills to apply urban design principles and planning for economic feasibility based on a particular case study or project. It provides the foundation urban design knowledge and skills, for developing an urban design framework based on a vision for a particular city, neighbourhood, city square or place. The unit develops the conceptual frameworks through the city as a mosaic of ideas and history of civilisations; the city as a Townscape, the city as a responsive environment. The unit will cover the development of urban design principles and applications; influences of urban design and the outcomes for traditional and contemporary planning. The unit considers the importance of urban design principles and conceptual frameworks in developing an urban design plan, supported by written documents with an emphasis on built form and new urbanism codes which reflect urban design components.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PLN2601

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Compare introductory urban design and economic feasibility principles and frameworks from a variety of theoretical and international perspectives.
  2. Describe the foundations and morphology of urban form by using a case study approach to explain underlying paradigms, principles and decision making processes.
  3. Design an urban design plan, using appropriate design methods and techniques, with supporting documentation for acceptance by a planning organisation or redevelopment authority.
  4. Evaluate an urban design case study with regard to relevant building and development codes, statutory and strategic policies.
  5. Explain the principles of urban design and why we refer to urban design, in historical, cultural and contemporary terms.
  6. Interpret, critique and communicate various urban design and economic frameworks and apply these frameworks holistically to create an urban design plan that is responsive to contemporary development and redevelopment.
  7. Review fundamental urban design knowledge and economic principles in complex planning and development issues.

Unit Content

  1. Application of basic urban design principles to contemporary planning issues in Western Australia based on knowledge of economics and land development.
  2. Contemporary issues for urban design ideas and concepts in planning and development in Western Australia.
  3. Economic urban design influences and spatial economic influences and their interaction.
  4. Environmental and physical urban design influences - built forms, transport, places, landscapes and environments.
  5. Government urban design - legislation and institutions for urban design, planning and development.
  6. Introduction to urban design and economics in planning and development, including emerging economic trends.
  7. New Urbanism, Transit-Orientated Development and Place-Making approaches.
  8. Origins and purposes of urban design in a world context, and the application of spatial economic principles to land valuation.
  9. Social and cultural urban design influences - people and culture, community organisation and social structure.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be conducted on-campus and off-campus. The mode of delivery for this unit is through a weekly on-campus lecture and seminar. The teaching and learning approach in this unit is enhanced through in-class discussions of practical industry case studies of urban design within local and state government, as well as the role of private planning practices. The skills of working effectively with others in a urban design environment (specifically team work, task collaboration and working productively with people from diverse cultures), communicating effectively, critical legislative and policy appraisal and analysis, developing design competencies and the ability to generate ideas are emphasised. This unit also provides for engaged teaching and learning where guest lecturers from industry are invited to share experiences, providing students with industry relevant information and opportunities for networking. The unit will also be supported by relevant field trips. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts of the unit and to guide students through development of the urban design concepts and their applications. Tutorials will allow students to apply the urban design concepts identified in the lectures in a series of real-world applications. A major project will consolidate learning by requiring students to prepare an urban design brief for a real location utilising urban design concepts developed in the unit. This activity will be developed andconducted on-line and involve on-campus and off-campus students sharing information through an on-line project and progress log. The major project will be assessed for quality academic and professional standards, including written communication (structure, language and conventions), critical analysis (depth of thought, development of argument, logical analysis and insight), depth and breadth of coverage, the ability to research effectively using both academic and contemporary sources and industry relevance. This assessment item will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, design skills, critical thinking and develop their written communication and presentation skills. Extensive use will be made of Blackboard to provide all lecture and other learning materials via this electronic portal. A discussion board will be used to facilitate discussion between teaching staff and students. A range of additional materials such as website links, blogs, group boards, gradebooks etc will be made available where appropriate. All information will be delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The lectures/modules are delivered by an academic staff member with relevant industry knowledge and experience. Online tutorials will also be offered to students in this mode to support learning and extend discipline knowledge. These activities encourage students to improve their communication skills, critical thinking skills and research skills. Assessment methods provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Regular online access is essential.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyUrban Design Paper20%
ProjectUrban Design Project20%
AssignmentIndividual Project60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyUrban Design Paper20%
ProjectUrban Design Project20%
AssignmentIndividual Project60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PLN3623|1|1

School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Urban Design Case Study
  • Unit Code

    PLN3623
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Edward Edmond ANDRE

Description

This unit provides students with the skills to apply urban design principles and planning for economic feasibility based on a particular case study or project. It provides the foundation urban design knowledge and skills, for developing an urban design framework based on a vision for a particular city, neighbourhood, city square or place. The unit develops the conceptual frameworks through the city as a mosaic of ideas and history of civilisations; the city as a Townscape, the city as a responsive environment. The unit will cover the development of urban design principles and applications; influences of urban design and the outcomes for traditional and contemporary planning. The unit considers the importance of urban design principles and conceptual frameworks in developing an urban design plan, supported by written documents with an emphasis on built form and new urbanism codes which reflect urban design components.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PLN2601

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Compare introductory urban design and economic feasibility principles and frameworks from a variety of theoretical and international perspectives.
  2. Describe the foundations and morphology of urban form by using a case study approach to explain underlying paradigms, principles and decision making processes.
  3. Design an urban design plan, using appropriate design methods and techniques, with supporting documentation for acceptance by a planning organisation or redevelopment authority.
  4. Evaluate an urban design case study with regard to relevant building and development codes, statutory and strategic policies.
  5. Explain the principles of urban design and why we refer to urban design, in historical, cultural and contemporary terms.
  6. Interpret, critique and communicate various urban design and economic frameworks and apply these frameworks holistically to create an urban design plan that is responsive to contemporary development and redevelopment.
  7. Review fundamental urban design knowledge and economic principles in complex planning and development issues.

Unit Content

  1. Application of basic urban design principles to contemporary planning issues in Western Australia based on knowledge of economics and land development.
  2. Contemporary issues for urban design ideas and concepts in planning and development in Western Australia.
  3. Economic urban design influences and spatial economic influences and their interaction.
  4. Environmental and physical urban design influences - built forms, transport, places, landscapes and environments.
  5. Government urban design - legislation and institutions for urban design, planning and development.
  6. Introduction to urban design and economics in planning and development, including emerging economic trends.
  7. New Urbanism, Transit-Orientated Development and Place-Making approaches.
  8. Origins and purposes of urban design in a world context, and the application of spatial economic principles to land valuation.
  9. Social and cultural urban design influences - people and culture, community organisation and social structure.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be conducted on-campus and off-campus. The mode of delivery for this unit is through a weekly on-campus lecture and seminar. The teaching and learning approach in this unit is enhanced through in-class discussions of practical industry case studies of urban design within local and state government, as well as the role of private planning practices. The skills of working effectively with others in a urban design environment (specifically team work, task collaboration and working productively with people from diverse cultures), communicating effectively, critical legislative and policy appraisal and analysis, developing design competencies and the ability to generate ideas are emphasised. This unit also provides for engaged teaching and learning where guest lecturers from industry are invited to share experiences, providing students with industry relevant information and opportunities for networking. The unit will also be supported by relevant field trips. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts of the unit and to guide students through development of the urban design concepts and their applications. Tutorials will allow students to apply the urban design concepts identified in the lectures in a series of real-world applications. A major project will consolidate learning by requiring students to prepare an urban design brief for a real location utilising urban design concepts developed in the unit. This activity will be developed andconducted on-line and involve on-campus and off-campus students sharing information through an on-line project and progress log. The major project will be assessed for quality academic and professional standards, including written communication (structure, language and conventions), critical analysis (depth of thought, development of argument, logical analysis and insight), depth and breadth of coverage, the ability to research effectively using both academic and contemporary sources and industry relevance. This assessment item will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, design skills, critical thinking and develop their written communication and presentation skills. Extensive use will be made of Blackboard to provide all lecture and other learning materials via this electronic portal. A discussion board will be used to facilitate discussion between teaching staff and students. A range of additional materials such as website links, blogs, group boards, gradebooks etc will be made available where appropriate. All information will be delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The lectures/modules are delivered by an academic staff member with relevant industry knowledge and experience. Online tutorials will also be offered to students in this mode to support learning and extend discipline knowledge. These activities encourage students to improve their communication skills, critical thinking skills and research skills. Assessment methods provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Regular online access is essential.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyUrban Design Paper20%
ProjectUrban Design Project20%
AssignmentIndividual Project60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyUrban Design Paper20%
ProjectUrban Design Project20%
AssignmentIndividual Project60%

Core Reading(s)

  • Goldhagen, S. W. (2017). Welcome to your world : how the built environment shapes our lives (First edition.). New York, NY: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PLN3623|1|2