Outline

Overview

This unit is to introduce students to key concepts and basic principles in urban design through lectures and studio-based tutorials. By taking full advantage of the neighbourhoods around campus as our laboratory for urban design analysis and intervention, this unit will walk students through deep experiential, historical, and spatial study and engagement with Sydney as a place and urbanity. Through the critical interrogation of selected study areas, this unit will help students understand the urban environment where human beings operate physically, culturally and socially. The studio will engage students with critical thinking, collaborative work and constructive discussion, all of which will serve as the foundation on which the assessments will be based. Emerging out of a process of enquiry about the city, students will develop critical observation, visual documentation, map reading, systematic urban analysis, basic urban intervention, and visual, verbal and written communication skills. These skills will help students to participate with effectiveness in the urban design studios and integrated urbanism studio.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ian Woodcock, ian.woodcock@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ian Woodcock, ian.woodcock@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Isabel Gabaldon, isabel.gabaldon@sydney.edu.au
	Nan Ye, nan.ye@sydney.edu.au
	Denver Alcantara, denver.alcantara@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	A1 JOURNAL notes: readings, lectures, topic-based fieldwork W3, 4, 5, 6, +project work	30%	STUVAC Due date: 04 Nov 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Nov 2024	Varies
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	A2.1 SITE SELECTIONS Groupwork: slideshow presentation	10%	Week 02 Due date: 09 Aug 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Aug 2024	10 minute slide show
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	A2.2 SITE ANALYSIS, OPPORTUNITIES, CONSTRAINTS, SCENARIOS & VISIONS Slide show presentation	20%	Week 06 Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Sep 2024	15 minute slide show.
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	A3.1 PRESENTATION: URBAN DESIGN CONCEPTS and PROJECTS slideshow presentation	10%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Sep 2024	10 minute slide presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	A3.2 URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK & INTERVENTION Group presentation slideshow and report	30%	Week 12 Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:00 Closing date: 09 Nov 2024	15 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

A1 Journal (30%) - notes: your individual weekly engagement with lectures, readings, tutorial discussions, fieldwork and site visits, project ideas and proposals using words, sketches, annoted photos etc.

A2.1 Site Selections (10%) - a slide show telling the story of how your group visited 5-6 of the listed case study sites across Sydney, assessed their suitability for the group project and the reasons why one of them was chosen.

A2.2 Site Analysis, Opportunities, Constraints, Scenarios and Visions (20%) A slide show with a clear narrative that synthesises the findings of your group's site analysis explaining the opportunities and constraints to achieving more sustainable visions for its future using theories about 'X-Minute Cities' and 'Transit-Oriented Urbanism'.

A3.1 Urban Design Concepts and Projects (10%) A slideshow that outlines your group's key urban design concepts for achieving your vision for the site, accompanied by initial proposals for a suite of projects to be undertaken by individual members of each group to explore the development of the urban design concepts.

A3.2 Urban Design Framework and Interventions (30%) A slideshow and report that sets out the group's Urban Design Framework and the projects by each group member that contribute to the framework's realisation.

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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Sydney School of Architecture, Planning and Design policy on late submissions and attendance applies.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 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. 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	INTRODUCTION; Urbanity; The Public Realm; X-Minute Cities; Transit-Oriented Urbanism.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Discuss assessments, weekly topic fieldwork tasks, organise schedule for fieldwork presentations, form groups for A2 & 3, drawing exercise	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	DENSITIES, Intensities, Life in Public Space	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Groups update on site visits to potential case study sites; discuss lectures and readings; drawing exercise.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	MIXED USES and Spatial Types	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Individual Fieldwork Presentations on LIFE IN PUBLIC SPACE; GROUPS present A2.1 SITE SELECTIONS (10%), discuss next steps	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	ACCESSIBILITY, Movement & Urban Structure	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Individual Fieldwork presentations on MIXED USES & SPATIAL TYPES; discuss fieldwork, lectures and readings; drawing exercise	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	INCLUSION & DIVERSITY	Lecture (1 hr)
	INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL TOOLS	Lecture (1 hr)
	Individual Fieldwork presentations on ACCESSIBILITY, MOVEMENT & URBAN STRUCTURE; discuss fieldwork, lectures and readings; desk crits	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	COUNTRY, CONTEXT & CHARACTER	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Individual Fieldwork presentations on INCLUSION & DIVERSITY; discuss lectures, readings, fieldwork; progress review A2.2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	A2.2 GROUP PRESENTATIONS: URBAN DESIGN ANALYSIS, OPPORTUNITIES, CONSTRAINTS, SCENARIOS & VISIONS (20%)	Presentation (4 hr)
Week 08	URBAN DESIGN PROCESSES	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Groups show responses to A2.2 presentation feedback; desk crits to develop urban design concepts and projects for A3.1	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	A3.1 GROUP PRESENTATIONS: URBAN DESIGN CONCEPTS & PROJECTS (10%)	Presentation (4 hr)
Week 10	NO CLASS - INDEPENDENT WORK ON A3.2	Project (4 hr)
Week 11	DESIGN DEVELOPMENT tbc	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Desk crits to develop Urban Design concepts and projects for A3.2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	DESIGN DEVELOPMENT tbc	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Desk crits to develop urban design concepts and projects for A3.2	Studio (3 hr)
Week 13	A3.2 GROUP PRESENTATIONS: URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK & INTERVENTIONS (30%)	Presentation (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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

Each student is required to read all readings listed in List A, and at least one reading from List B.

PDFs of all readings will be made available on Canvas by commencement of Week 1.

LIST A

LIST A

1. Dovey, K. & Pafka, E. (2020) "What is walkability? The urban DMA”, Urban Studies, 57(1) 97-108

2. Lynch, K (1996) “The City Image and its Elements”, in The City Reader, London, Routledge, pp. 98-102 (originally published 1960)

3. Gehl, J. (2011 [orig.1987]) Life Between Buildings, New York: Island Press, pp.129-162

4. Rao, F., Kong, Y., Ng, K.H., Xie, Q. & Zhu, Y. (2024) Unravelling the Spatial Arrangement of the 15-Minute City: A Comparative Study of Shanghai, Melbourne, and Portland, Planning Theory & Practice, 25:2, 184-206

5. Ellis, C.W. (1986) “The Spatial Structure of Streets”, in Anderson, S. (Ed) On Streets, Cambridge, MA/London: The MIT Press, pp.113-132

6. Krier, R. (2003) “Typological and Morphological elements of the Concept of Urban Space”, in Cuthbert, A. (Ed) Designing Cities: Critical Readings in Urban Design, Oxford: Blackwell, pp.323-339

7. Marshall, S. (2005) “Street type and hierarchy” in Streets and Patterns, London: Spon Press_pp.45-72

8. Alexander, C. (1996) "A City Is Not A Tree", in The City Reader, London: Routledge, pp. 118-131 (orig. 1965)

9. Hall, S. & Datta, A. (2010) “The Translocal Street: Shop signs and local multi-culture along the Walworth Rd, south London”, City, Culture and Society, Vol.1, No.2, pp.69-77

10. Massey, D. (1994) “A Global Sense of Place”, Marxism Today, June 1991, pp.24-29

11. Newman, P. Beatley, T., & Boyer, H. (2009) “Four Scenarios for the future of cities: Collapsed, Ruralized, Divided or Resilient City”, in Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change, Washington: Island Press, pp. 35-54

12. Dovey, K. & Woodcock, I. (2015) Intensifying Melbourne: Transit-Oriented Urban Design for Resilient Urban Futures, Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne School of Design/Monash Architecture, Design & Art

LIST B

Lynch, K. (1961) The Image of The City, Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press – Ch.1 & 3_50pp
Jacobs, J. (1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Harmondsworth: Penguin – Part1_94pp
Webber, G.P. (1988) The Design of Sydney: Three decades of change in the City Centre, Sydney: Law Book – Ch3&4_35pp
Katz, P. (1994) The New Urbanism, New York: McGraw Hill – pp1-32_20pp
Gehl, J. (1987) Life Between Buildings: Using public space, Copenhagen: The Danish Architectural Press – Ch1_30pp
Shelton, B. (1999) Learning from the Japanese City: East meets west in urban design, London: Routledge_Ch3_58pp
Marshall, S. (2005) Streets and Patterns, London: Spon Press – Ch3&4_33pp
Shaftoe, H. (2008) Convivial Urban Spaces: creating effective urban spaces, London: Sterling – Ch3&4_48pp
Montgomery, C. (2015) Happy City: Transforming our lives through urban design, New York: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux_Ch6&7_51pp
Lynch, K. (1981) Ch.11 "Control", in Good City Form, London: The MIT Press, pp. 205-220_14pp
Dovey, K. & Pafka, E. (2016) "The science of urban design?" Urban Design International, 21(1):1-10_17pp

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. understand the role of group work in developing comprehensive, synthesised approaches to urban design
LO2. explain common urban design terms, including context, public domain, street, subdivision patterns, lot, block, building typology, mixed-use, activation, walkability, scale, city, town centre and design process
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of building types and explain mixed-use building types
LO4. describe and evaluate public domain elements
LO5. use mapping to define urban elements and create evidence based urban design analysis
LO6. use urban design analysis to define and evaluate urban character and quality
LO7. demonstrate the role of comparative analysis and the use of good precedents in defining and explaining urban design
LO8. use a combination of written, verbal and visual communication techniques, to explain urban design concepts, elements and principles.

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.

Adjustments to content to reduce overall workload and provide a stronger focus on design process: reduce weekly fieldwork presentations from 6 to 4, revise selection of weekly fieldwork sites to make them easier to get to and more relevant to topics

Additional information

Urban design requires a diverse suite of skills including observation, spatial thinking and imagination as well as verbal, visual and other logical and intuitive powers of reasoning. There are multiple modes of learning involved. This unit will work best by consistent engagement with all of the learning activities – lectures, readings, discussions, weekly fieldwork, groupwork, desk-based progress reviews (aka 'desk crits'), individual and group oral presentations, independent acquisition of software skills, and regular documentation in the participation journal with notes, sketches and annotated photos

Additional costs

Some costs may be incurred in the purchase of measure and drawing materials (e.g., measuring tape, trace paper, markers, coloured pencils and highlighters, scale rulers).

Site visit guidelines

Wear appropriate footwear and clothing; always carry student ID; treat all people, animals, vegetation and built form with respect and courtesy; pay attention to directional and regulatory signage; refrain from making site visits in bad weather and when visibility is poor; always carry drinking water with you. Plan ahead, don't take un-necessary risks, use active and public transport wherever possible, you need to be able to look around you. Carry a notebook and writing implement at all times. Turn your headphones off, keep your ears and eyes open. Put your smartphone away except for taking photos or videos, you will need the full suite of five senses and spatial awareness to get the most out of field observations and the journeys involved as ways of learning about urbanism.

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCH9100: Urban Design Foundations Studio

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links