Outline

Overview

This unit of study exposes students to a variety of issues related to the aesthetics, culture, politics, and theories of built environments in Asia. Drawing on diverse disciplinary perspectives, the unit provides an overview of various topics such as architectural production, cultural heritage, high-density and informal urbanism, as well as conceptual frameworks that have examined the relationship between space, society, and power in a global context. The unit is concerned with issues subsumed by four major themes: (1) Traditional and Colonial Spaces; (2) Contemporary Architecture; (3) Cultural Heritage and Active Reuse; (4) Urbanisation and Housing. Examples are drawn mostly from East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. By investigating built environments from a global perspective and through various conceptual lens, it encourages students to rethink architectural design within a context of cultural and social diversity and to develop their own research agenda.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Duanfang Lu, duanfang.lu@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 21 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Attendance (tutorials) Participation attendance (tutorials)	0%	Multiple weeks	10 (out of 11) x 2 hour	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1: Illustrated Comparative Study The illustrated essay should analyse and compare your sensory journey in the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour and the Japanese Garden in the Auburn Botanic Gardens.	20%	Week 03 Due date: 17 Aug 2026 at 22:00 Closing date: 17 Sep 2026	Maximum 1,500 words excluding references	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Assessment 2: Discussion Contribution Oral presentation on the chosen topic, discussion moderation, and weekly critical reading response.	30%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2026 at 22:00 Closing date: 08 Oct 2026	Max. 7 min. & max. 2,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Assessment 3: Research report Research on the cultural landscape in a chosen diasporic suburb supported by visual analysis.	50%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2026 at 22:00 Closing date: 06 Nov 2026	Maximum 3,000 words excluding references	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1. Illustrated Comparative Study. The illustrated essay should analyse and compare your sensory journey in the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour and the Japanese Garden in the Auburn Botanic Gardens. Maximum 1,500 words excluding references. Weight 20%. Learning outcomes 1, 4. Individual. Due date 17/08.

Assessment 2. Discussion Contribution. Oral presentation on the chosen topic, discussion moderation, and weekly critical reading response. In-class oral presentation (max. 7 min) in the chosen week. Facilitate seminar discussion along with other moderators of that week. Each week, prepare and post brief comments on the reading and at least two discussion questions on Canvas by 1pm Monday. Week 6, compile and submit all weekly response, max. 2,000 words. Weight 30%. Learning outcomes 1,2,3. Individual. Presentation file and compiled critical response due 08/09.

Assessment 3. Research report. Research on the cultural landscape in a chosen diasporic suburb supported by visual analysis. Maximum 3,000 words excluding references. Weight 50%. Learning outcomes 1,2,4. Individual. Oral presentation on 10/09 or 15/09. Presentation file, research report and poster due 06/10.

Attendance - Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have reasonable evidence to support their absence, may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

Assessment will follow the following grading criteria:

Grade	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 1 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

Marking rubric will be provided on the Canvas site.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

In accordance with University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022, for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to the late work. For work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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	Overview	Lecture (1 hr)
	Site visit	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
	The Poetics of Traditional Gardens	Lecture (1 hr)
	Site visit	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 02	Space and Politics	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 1&2	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Colonial Architecture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 3&4	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Diasporic Architecture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 5&6	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Academic Writing & Research Methods	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on research plans	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Tropical Architecture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 7&8	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Globalisation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on draft abstracts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Cultural Identity	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 9&10	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Heritage Conservation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on draft posters	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Urbanisation and Housing	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discussion on readings 11&12	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Research presentations	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Research presentations	Tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022

Clause 8 (3) (a). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption

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

Readings are available on the Canvas site.

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. Develop an understanding of the ways in which various social, political, cultural, economic and geographical conditions have affected the development of architecture and urbanism in different parts of Asia.
LO2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of important themes and theoretical positions in contemporary architectural discourse.
LO3. Develop skills in engaging in group discussion and moderating debates.
LO4. Develop sophisticated skills to evaluate works of architecture in written, verbal and graphic expression.

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.

Primary changes have been made to the learning activities schedule and assessments to adapt the unit to the S2a schedule and in response to student feedback.

Additional information

Additional costs

Some costs may be incurred in site visits and the purchase of drawing materials (e.g., sketchbook, scale rulers, trace paper, etc.).

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Assessment will follow the following grading criteria:

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCH9115: Architecture and Urbanism in Asia

Semester 2a, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Assessment will follow the following grading criteria:

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links