Outline

Overview

Global change and population growth present significant challenges to the resilience of urban landscapes. Planning and design of urban development is the most powerful tool to meet these challenges. This unit of study provides students with an understanding of the principles and practices of sustainable urban development and the legacy of design at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Students will develop a toolbox for embedding ecological and physical principles in urban design to maximise the functionality of green infrastructure for a range of purposes. This unit will provide an understanding of the interacting physical processes between urbanisation and the local environment as well as issues in global sustainability such as certification of materials and utility of urban land use types. At the completion of this unit, students will be able to articulate the principles of sustainable design within the context of social, political and economic constraints at a range of spatial/temporal scales. Students will develop conscientious approaches to improve the sustainability and resilience of domestic and international urban landscapes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points of 1000-level units including DAAE1001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	It will be assumed that students have a basic awareness of social, environmental and political circumstances surrounding climate change, urban development and the concepts of sustainability
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Adrienne Keane, adrienne.keane@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Assessment 2: Participation Student participation including preparation, activity in tutorials, reflections.	15%	Multiple weeks	Various in tutorial time	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Assessment 1: Urban Ecology Quiz Required task for Yr 2 students	5%	Week 03 Due date: 18 Aug 2025 at 14:00	10 question multiple-choice.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Assessment 3: Future Thinking. Where I live. Using observation and critical reflection of a reading, identify urban ecology components of a site and any biodiversity urban design interventions.	30%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59	1,500 word equivalence.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Assessment 4: Nature's City Toolkit Case study of an inner city suburb to identify existing biodiversity and then design and plan for conserving, restoring and introducing urban ecology using the Making Nature's City Toolkit.	50%	Week 12 Due date: 30 Oct 2025 at 23:59	2,5000 plus appendices	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

City Design and Urban Ecology requires you to evaluate a strategic plan, analyse a case study, and propose a design based on a key theme in urban ecology. The output is a written report. Detailed instructions will be provided on Canvas.

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

This unit will rely on the University’s grade descriptors. In addition, each assessment will have a marking rubric. Marking rubrics will be available via Canvas.

Groupwork (Assessment 4) will allocate marks according to the merit of individual contributions and consideration of peer review.

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:

Late submission of work attracts late penalties as per the Resolutions of the University School.

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	Introduction to Urban Ecology and each other	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Ecology components and systems	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Ecology components and systems	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Ecology Planning and Design	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Ecology Planning and Design and walk around	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Future environments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Future environments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	What would you live with?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Water	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Health and Biodiversity	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Mistakes and solutions	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Your futures	Lecture and 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

Will be listed 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. Describe the interrelatedness between cities and ecosystem services at a range of spatial and temporal scales
LO2. Evaluate urban planning and design decisions against the principle of interrelatedness, drawing from both academic and practice-based evidence.
LO3. Apply, at different spatial scales, urban design concepts which incorporate beneficial ecological outcomes to improve urban liveability
LO4. Identify and describe the influence, role, responsibilities of urban professionals in city design using an urban ecology lens.
LO5. Demonstrate your developing presentation skills including written, oral and visual.
LO6. Assess your own learning in this unit by utilising reflection.

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 feedbacks have been taken into consideration since this unit was last offered. Tutorials will include time for assessment feedback

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visits are designed to be within walking distance of Camperdown campus.

Site visit guidelines

Any site visits will be accompanied by details such as a Fieldwork Safety Plan. Further information about any visits and requirements of a safety plan will be shared and managed through this unit's Canvas page.

Work, health and safety

Any field trips off campus will be subject to the requirements of the University.

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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment 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

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BADP2005: City Design and Urban Ecology

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment 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

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links