Sustainable Transport and Public Policy

Subject 705-536 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Associate Professor Nick Low
Subject Overview: The focus of this subject is research on sustainable transport as public policy. In it we explore ways of implementing a vision of urban transport for greenhouse-efficient cities, socially fairer cities, safer and healthier cities, which will also be economically prosperous. Two paradigmatic models of urban transport: motorized personal mobility, and sustainable transport are postulated. The first dominated transport policy in the twentieth century. The second is emerging as an imperative for the twenty-first. What is required to move from the first to the second? Drawing on an ongoing research program funded by the Australian Research Council and the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations, the subject explores three themes:
  • Models of integrated urban transport systems under resource and environmental constraints. What is the human and environmental cost of different transport modes? What different forms of modal integration exist and how are they implemented?
  • Path dependencies and innovation in transport policy systems. How do policy systems resist change and how does policy innovation occur?
  • Finance and resource allocation for urban transport. How are transport systems paid for and who bears the cost.

The subject will be delivered in seminar form with reading, discussion and occasional lectures by experts on topics of current interest.

Generic Skills

  • Literature search and assessment
  • Analysis and interpretation of policy
  • Debating the values of transport policy in open forms
  • Writing policy
Assessment: Literature Review (25%); Seminar Presentation (15%); Major Essay (60%)
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: At the completion of the subject the student will be able to:
  • Differentiate between the main models used in transport policy development
  • Discern the different spatial and social impacts of these two models
  • Analyses policy documents to determine the core values embedded in Government transport planning
Links to further information: http://abp.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Master of Urban Planning
Master of Urban Planning

Download PDF version.