Outline

Overview

The Urban Report is a substantial project involving research conducted over one semester. It will usually take the form of an illustrated report (between 5,000 and 10,000 words) on an approved subject of the student's choice. The aim of the unit is to allow students to deepen their understanding, and methodological approach in relation to an aspect of urbanism of the student's choice as approved by the Unit of Study Co-ordinator. The subject may be of a practical bent (e.g. review or preparation of an urban design, or urban development project) or more theoretical (e.g. review of a conceptual viewpoint), or it may occupy the middle ground (e.g. exploration of a contemporary issue or review/testing of a method). If of a more practical nature, its theoretical underpinning should be explicit. If more theoretical, it should refer to its practical implications. The report is an opportunity to advance knowledge and skills in a particular area of urbanism and so develop a 'professional edge'. The aim of the report is to enhance abilities and knowledge essential to the practice of urbanism.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Students must have completed 48 credit points of study in their graduate program
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ARCH9060 or PLAN9018 or PLAN9010 or PLAN9011
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nancy Marshall, nancy.marshall@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Nancy Marshall, nancy.marshall@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Yuan Wei, yuan.wei@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project Presentation Students present initial thinking about project topic, methods and why this topic is significant.	0%	Week 02 Due date: 05 Mar 2025 at 18:00	Students present Project Summary - 5 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Proposal Identify, through curriculum mapping and professional practice, what theories/designs/methods you will use to research your topic. A Written Template will be given to you which should be used as a ‘roadmap’ for your project. 1500 words (excl. references).	15%	Week 03 Due date: 12 Mar 2025 at 18:00	Written project proposal - 1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Progress Report Submit the first ~2500 words of your Final Report. This must include an introduction to your topic plus most/some of the literature review component of your topic.	25%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2025 at 18:00	Written progress report - 2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final Presentation Each student is required to present their main findings from their Report. PowerPoint slides and 5 minutes is all you have to teach us about your topic and to capture our attention. PDF of slides are submitted into Canvas.	10%	Week 11 Due date: 14 May 2025 at 18:00	5 minute presentation with PPT slides
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final Report This is a professional style report. You should use In-Design for graphic quality. Length is ~5,000-10,000 words (depending on the type of report). A full description of the requirements of the assessment will be provided in Canvas.	50%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2025 at 18:00	5,000-10,000 words - professional report
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

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	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit Intro, Capstone Mapping, Research + Design Research	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Capstone process, Research problems, and knowledge	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Framing research and design questions + Why theorise?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Literature reviews and Annotated bibliographies	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Professional writing, Use of AI + Turnitin + Referencing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Process review + case studies and Case examples	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Supervision meeting + project timelines and management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Supervision meeting + progress discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Industry standards + Research and design presentation principles	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Supervision meeting + Presentation Practice	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Students Final Presentation	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 12	Professional Practice Panel	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Professional reports - strengths and weaknesses	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: As this class is delivered 100% online, attendance via Zoom is required.

Referencing: Harvard Referencing. All references are to be in translated into English.

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://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

There is no textbook or specific references for this unit. All students will be undertaking an independent research or design project where the reading will be specific to that topic. Other useful information and materials will be posted into Canvas throughout the semester.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate the ability to think critically about an urban problem (theory, policy, design, practice), and develop and apply an appropriate methodology or analytical approach to address it
LO2. identify, access and analyse appropriate sources of information, research and literature relevant to urban issues and opportunities
LO3. undertake primary and secondary research relevant to the topic you are studying
LO4. communicate investigation findings verbally, in writing and graphically demonstrating academic and professional competence.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Student feedback has been taken into consideration since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Supervision meetings are conducted as small groups.

Additional costs

Some costs may be incurred by the student in the production of the report.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visits included in this unit. These may be done by an individual (Covid-safe) if relevant to your topic.

Work, health and safety

As per ADP School policy and procedures.

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.

Current students

ARCH9092: Urban Report

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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Useful links

Media

Student links

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