Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides students with a grounded introduction to the role of sustainable development in evaluating and managing environmental issues and planning for more sustainable futures. This unit will examine the relationships between built environment, human societies and the complex interactions that shape key environment outcomes both now and in the future. Students are introduced to key concepts associated with 'sustainable urbanism' including low carbon development, green infrastructure, climate change adaptation and mitigation. The concepts of environment and sustainability, together with their conflicting priorities are discussed along with thedifficulties of incorporating them into the current socio-political and economic systems. Students will also be introduced to indigenous knowledge and practices that can inform approaches to sustainability.Students will develop an appreciation for the range of socio-technical systems for mitigating and adapting to key environmental challenges. During this course, students will learn to apply this understanding to an analysis of the built environment at multiple scales from building level to global.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BAEN1012
Academic unit	Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aysu Kuru, aysu.kuru@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Pranita Shrestha, pranita.shrestha@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Early feedback task Early feedback task of multiple choice quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 05 Mar 2024 at 23:59	Multiple choice quiz
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Critical analysis and reflection Critical analysis & reflection of an issue tied to sustainable development	30%	Week 04 Due date: 12 Mar 2024 at 23:59	800-1000 word report submission
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Home sustainability analysis Comparatively sustainability assessment of multiple homes	30%	Week 08 Due date: 16 Apr 2024 at 23:59	8-page report & 8 mins presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Multi-scalar analysis (group component) Multi-scalar sustainability analysis of a case study (group component)	10%	Week 13 Due date: 21 May 2024 at 23:59	3-page report
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Multi-scalar analysis (individual component) Multi-scalar sustainability analysis of a case study (individual component)	30%	Week 13 Due date: 21 May 2024 at 23:59	9-page report
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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

Early Feedback Task (Individual): You will be given a multiple choice quiz to complete in-class.

Assignment 1: Critical Analysis and Reflection (Individual): This assignment is designed so that you have the opportunity to undertake scholarly work while critically understanding the wider concept of sustainable development. Also, your reading will enable you to participate in the forthcoming lectures and tutorials by giving you a deeper understanding of issues.

Assignment 2: Home Sustainability Analysis (Group): The aim of this assignment is to comparatively analyse and critically reflect on the sustainability assessment of the homes where the assignment group members live.

Assignment 3: Multi-Scalar Analysis (Group): The aim of this assignment is to assess the sustainability impact of a case study at multiple scales. The group component of this assignment comprises of selection of site and a ecological/environmental site analysis. The aim of this component of Assignment 3 is to research and understand sustainable urban development in relation to physical, environmental, social and economic conditions related to a particular area.

Assignment 3: Multi-Scalar Analysis (Individual): The aim of this assignment is to assess the sustainability impact of a case study at multiple scales. The aim of this component of Assignment 3 is to research, understand and analyse sustainable sustainable precincts and buildings in relation to physical, environmental, social and economic conditions related to a particular area.

Assessment criteria

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:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% penalty per calendar day up to and including the due date

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.

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	Introduction to the unit. Indigeneity and Sustainability Principles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to Assessment 1 and Early Feedback Task. Knowing your tutor. Reading groups establishment	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Overview of sustainable development. In class Early Feedback task	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Reading groups & tutor feedback. Peer-to-peer learning. Using referencing tools.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Urban ecology and cities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Reading groups & tutor feedback	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Measuring sustainable development	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Unpacking ratings	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Operational energy & Assignment 2 introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Assignment team formation & group charter. Critical reflection on your home: operational energy	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Embodied carbon	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Critical reflection on your home: embodied carbon	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Passive solar design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Critical reflection on your home: passive solar design	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Sustainable building ratings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Assignment 2 in-class team presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Planning and policy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Group formation for site visit. Site visit criteria discussion.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Sustainable precinct design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Critical multi-scalar & climate analysis: precinct scale	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Sustainable building design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Critical multi-scalar analysis: building scale	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Benchmark example – methodology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Q&A for Assignment 3	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Equity and sustainability	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Completing the USS. Reflection & discussion	Tutorial (1 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.

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 a critical awareness of the processes of environmental knowledge production.
LO2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
LO3. Evaluate the life cycle implications of urban processes at multiple scales.
LO4. Identify and utilise analytical tools to evaluate key sustainability objectives in built environments at multiple scales.
LO5. Demonstrate understanding of and evaluate resource flows across multiple scales, from individual buildings to the global scale.
LO6. Demonstrate understanding of indigenous knowledge and practices can contribute to sustainable development agenda.

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.

This unit is offered for the first time.

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

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BAEN1012: Sustainability Principles

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect