Comparative Housing Policy and Services

Subject ABPL90279 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

July, Parkville - 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: Contact Hours: 36 hours (intensive)
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None specified
Corequisites: None specified
Recommended Background Knowledge: Urban studies, development studies, public policy.
Non Allowed Subjects: None specified
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Colleen Butcher-Gollach, Prof Richard Tomlinson

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre
T: +61 3 8344 6417/9862
F: +61 3 8344 5532
Email: msd-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject has guest lecturers from SPARC, an NGO based in Mumbai, and Dr Colleen Butcher-Gollach, Associate Professor in the Melbourne School of Design, who has consulted widely in the Pacific and Africa regions. Due to ongoing discussion among the guest lecturers, the subject description can be expected to change in its details.

The subject will focus on the economic importance of housing at national and household levels, assess slum formation, governance and policy for slum upgrading across the developing world, and review conceptions of international “best practice” regarding pro-poor approaches, and upgrading and service delivery programs generally. The subject will be based on case studies of:

  • Dharavi in Mumbai
  • the Kampung Improvement Programme in Jakarta
  • Vietnam (to a lesser extent)
  • low-income housing in Kiribati, Central Pacific (to a lesser extent)

The subject will also explore the role of the Cities Alliance and other international organizations in mainstreaming the housing and services policy agenda.

The class is to be conducted in the form of seminars, comprising lectures, extended periods of discussion, exploration of topics on the web and student presentations. The subject will require the commitment to reading prior to the class, a class consisting of six hours per day over six days for formal class participation and informal time in addition for the preparation of student presentations.

Objectives: This subject aims to familiarise students with housing policy and the delivery of services (water, sanitation, etc.) in the developing world and international “best practice” and pro-poor conceptions of housing policy. The subject is also intended to provide knowledge of international development agencies and applied knowledge in the case study cities.
Assessment:

Group presentation (equivalent 1500 words) 30%, due 24 July 2010 Individual essay (3500 words) 70% due 9 August 2010.
Prescribed Texts: None specified
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Written and verbal communication.
  • Identification of key issues and debates in comparative housing and service delivery.
  • Applied knowledge of slum upgrading in Mumbai and Jakarta.
  • Insight into Mumbai and Jakarta governance and housing policies.
Related Course(s): Master of Urban Planning

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