Skip to main content
Unit of study_

ARCH9063: Urban Form and Design

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit explores the complexity and evolution of city form and the influences of planning and design processes and practice. Using Australian and international case studies, the unit will investigate how urban functions, cultural values; technological, socio-economic and political circumstances; and design theory and practice shape the form of specific cities over time. The course is offered with a strong commitment to understanding the relationship of urban design and form to Aboriginal culture and Country including practical examples of how to embed these into practice. It also notes the importance of understanding how concepts such as grids, place names, land ownership patterns, and ‘expert’ approaches to land and water management have been part of colonial planning systems, and thinking through ways of decolonising these approaches.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ARCH9063
Academic unit Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ARCH9021
Prerequisites
? 
ARCH9100
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Some prior study of architectural, urban or planning history

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ian Woodcock, ian.woodcock@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Elle Davidson, elle.davidson@sydney.edu.au
Ian Woodcock, ian.woodcock@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment A3.2 URBAN ASSEMBLAGES III: JOURNAL
Journal covering lectures, readings, fieldwork, developmental work
15% STUVAC
Due date: 20 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Nov 2023
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment A3.1 URBAN ASSEMBLAGES II
animated and scripted mixed media slideshow / video
25% STUVAC
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Nov 2023
5 min video/animated scripted slideshow
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation A1 SENSING COUNTRY
Presentation
20% Week 06
Due date: 04 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 14 Sep 2023
10 slides (Max), 5 Minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment A2 URBAN ASSEMBLAGES I
Audio-visual mixed media oral presentation
40% Week 11
Due date: 17 Oct 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Oct 2023
20 Slides, 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO2 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • SENSING COUNTRY This assessment is focused on researching and then walking through a place to explore the use of the senses to understand Country.
  • URBAN ASSEMBLAGES I: Students will work in groups to examine the evolution of urban form in terms of its impacts on Country and subsequent development to the present day and beyond.
  • URBAN ASSEMBLAGES II: Individuals will engage more deeply and in detail with part of the place studied for Urban Assemblages I.
  • URBAN ASSEMBLAGES III: A journal documenting individual engagement with course materials, fielwork and developmental work for assessment taska.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 INTRODUCTION TO URBAN FORM AND DESIGN Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 SENSING COUNTRY Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 CONNECTING WITH COUNTRY Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 DESIGNING WITH COUNTRY Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 MAPPING URBAN MORPHOLOGIES I Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 A1 Presentations: Sensing Country Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 07 MAPPING URBAN MORPHOLOGY II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 NAVIGATING CITIES Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 URBAN FORM AND ACTIVITY SPACES Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 URBAN INTERFACES Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 PRESENTATIONS: A2 URBAN ASSEMBLAGES I Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 SUSTAINABILITY AND URBAN FORM Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 DESIGNING CONNECTIONS WITH COUNTRY - DECOLONISING PLACES Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study as per School resolution

https://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required readings will be provided as the semester progresses

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. recognise major urban structuring elements and patterns, and key building and spatial types in the urban environment
  • LO2. record and describe these structures and patterns and their evolution both graphically and in words
  • LO3. investigate and explain key changes in the urban fabric and their influences (cultural, economic, philosophical, geographic and technical)
  • LO4. discuss the relationship between urban forms and the broader planning and urban design objectives for a place; in particular the extent to which forms limit or facilitate particular desirable patterns of living and working
  • LO5. analyse and interpret urban form for urban design and physical planning purposes
  • LO6. explain urban contexts for architectural, heritage and landscape design purposes in a methodical and coherent manner
  • LO7. work effectively with others to deliver consolidated assessment outcomes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assignment weights have been revised; assessments have been revised to focus on engaging with Country as well as mapping and communicating visually, graphically and verbally about urban form.

Additional costs

Additional costs may be incurred in the purchase of drawing materials and the preparation of presentations.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.