BAEN3011: DIL: Urban

Assessment 1: Urban Analysis (20%)

This is an individual assessment. It includes two components: Part A (0%) is an Early Feedback Task (draft portfolio), and Part B (20%) is the Urban Analysis portfolio.

This assessment requires students to investigate the socio-economic, spatial, environmental, and policy layers that shape the selected neighbourhoods, examine their relationships with the broader urban context. Students will work both individually and in groups of three or four. Each week, they are expected to develop their assignment progressively through individual research and collaborative discussion. Interim outputs must be presented to the tutor for review and formative feedback.

Assessment 2: Urban Scheme (15%)

This is a group presentation assessment. It requires students to develop a conceptual urban design scheme for the focused precinct, building upon the findings of the Urban Analysis (Assessment 1). The Urban Scheme translates analytical insights into an integrated spatial proposition that addresses density, diversity, movement, public space, and environmental performance at the precinct scale, which involves several street blocks around a train station. The task aims to develop and assess students’ ability to synthesise theoretical frameworks, site-based evidence, and design thinking into a coherent urban structure that responds to contemporary challenges, including housing affordability, multicultural coexistence, climate adaptation, and transit-oriented development.

Assessment 3: Urban Design – Design Charrette (25%)

This is an individual, secure assessment. It takes the form of an intensive design charrette in which students will develop and test an urban design proposal for a chosen street block within the study area. Building on the Urban Analysis (Assessment 1) and the Urban Scheme (Assessment 2), the charrette focuses on rapid synthesis, collaborative design thinking, and the translation of strategic ideas into spatially resolved urban form and public realm propositions. The charrette simulates professional urban design practice, requiring students to work under time constraints, respond to critique, and iteratively refine their design through drawing, modelling, and discussion.

Assessment 4: Masterplan redevelopment (15%)

This is a group presentation assessment. It requires students to present a Masterplan for the redevelopment of the selected precinct, synthesising analytical insights (Assessment 1), strategic urban structuring (Assessment 2), and spatial design exploration (Assessment 3). The masterplan should articulate a coherent long-term vision for a dense, diverse, transit-oriented, and climate-responsive urban environment, supported by a clearly resolved spatial framework and design narrative. It assesses students’ capacity to integrate theory, policy, and site-specific analysis into a spatially robust and socially inclusive urban design proposal at the precinct scale.

Assessment 5: Final Portfolio (25%)

After the group presentation (Assessment 4), students are expected to work individually and improve their work based on the feedback received. Their individual final portfolio must be submitted via Canvas.

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.