Planning Urban Sustainability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 Hours

Admission to a master's program in the Melbourne School of Design or the Master of Environment (Graduate Environmental Program) or written approval from the subject coordinator.

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

The urban dimension of sustainability is the focus of this subject. The nexus between cities and rural areas is acknowledged. A holistic view of sustainability is explored (environmental, social, cultural and economic). The contribution of cities to the crises of the environment is analysed. Solutions based on existing experience and practice are explored using international and local examples. Methods of planning are discussed, with an emphasis on the policy barriers likely to be encountered and ways of overcoming them.

• To deepen students' understanding of urban sustainability and its relationship to public values and goals.
• To analyse the means of governance and planning for urban sustainability.
• To critically analyse approaches to planning for urban sustainability.
• To propose solutions to facilitate urban sustainability.

1. Two class paper/policy exercises – 500 words x 2 weeks, due weeks 3 and 5, 20%.
2. Individual essay of 2000 words, due week 8, 40%.
3. Group project, and report with an individual contribution of no more than 2000 words, due week 14, total 40%, (30% group written report, 5% group presentation, 5% peer and self-review).

None specified

Newman, P., and Jennings, I. Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices, Washington: Island Press, 2008.
Wheeler, S. M. Planning for Sustainability: Creating Liveable, Equitable and Ecological Communities, Milton Park, Oxon: Routledge, 2004.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• To be advocates for implementing the sustainability of the environment
• To have a broad global understanding with increased regard for human rights, equity and ethics
• To examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines