Outline

Overview

This unit of study reviews the challenges involved in planning the contemporary urban environment. It covers a range of perspectives, including urban planning, urban design and heritage. Students will examine the evolution of towns and cities from the first settlements to the modern metropolis, and explore the cultural, economic, political and digital drivers that shape the urban environment. It asks, 'why did cities evolve?', 'what purpose do cities serve?', 'who is the city for?', and 'how are decisions made about cities?' The contemporary urban environment is explored as a dynamic and continually evolving 'living city' that is co-created by architects, planners, urban designers and other public and private stakeholders. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of planning in shaping our towns and cities through time. They will have a basic knowledge of the key ideas that are needed for formulating planning and urban design proposals.

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	Catherine Gilbert, catherine.gilbert@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Attendance (tutorials) Attendance and participation in tutorials	0%	Multiple weeks	11 (out of12 weeks) x 1 hour	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Task of a multiple choice quiz on weeks 1 and 2 content	0%	Week 03 Due date: 17 Aug 2026 at 23:59	Multiple choice quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	Assignment 1: Urbanism themes in-class test Multiple choice and short answer questions. Students are allowed to bring one-page (single sided) of notes prepared beforehand to the test.	35%	Week 06 Due date: 07 Sep 2026 at 23:59	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment 2: Thematic site analysis (individual) Analysis of site against selected urbanism theme	40%	Week 09 Due date: 08 Oct 2026 at 23:59	1000 words, excl. refs. 2 or more images	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 3: Site analysis presentation (group) Group presentation that synthesises the individual thematic site analyses and develops a collective introduction, discussion, and conclusion about the site. Each group member must speak as part of the presentation.	25%	Week 13 Due date: 02 Nov 2026 at 11:00	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = 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

Early Feedback Task - The EFT consists of a multiple choice quiz on the content of Weeks 1 and 2, including mandatory readings.

Urbanism Themes In-class Test - This in-class test consists of multiple choice and short answer questions. It tests your knowledge of the urbanism themes discussed in Weeks 1 to 5 and your ability to think critically and creatively about tensions and symmetries across the themes.

Thematic Site Analysis - For this assessment you are required to visit a fieldwork site and to analyse the site against one of the urbanism themes. Your 1,000 word written report should include at least two visuals, such as photos, sketches and graphs. Note that the site visit for this assessment will be undertaken in your group for the Site Analysis Group Presentation. Everyone in the group needs to focus on a different urbanism theme.

Site Analysis Group Presentation - This assessment task requires you to produce a group presentation which brings together your individual thematic site analyses and provides new insights about the site and implications for future planning. The presentation should be a maximum of 20 minutes in length and include a collective introduction, individual thematic analyses, a shared discussion, and a conclusion. All group members must speak for a minimum of 3 minutes as part of the presentation. Your verbal presentation should be accompanied by slides.

Attendance - 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

Detailed information for each assessment task can be found on Canvas.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

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	Course Introduction; Understanding Urbanism; Indigenous Cities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Critically reading and annotating texts	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Economic Cities, Planned Cities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Interpreting themes in the urban landscape (Planned Cities, Economic Cities)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Heritage Cities, Healthy Cities, Early feedback task	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Interpreting themes in the urban landscape (Heritage Cities, Healthy Cities)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Designed Cities, Digital Cities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Interpreting themes in documents (Designed Cities, Digital Cities)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Green Cities, Mobile Cities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Interpreting themes in documents (Green Cities, Mobile Cities); project planning	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Public Cities, Political Cities, Teamwork and managing projects	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	In-class test	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Multicultural Cities, Fieldwork briefing, 'Reading' the urban landscape	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Field Trip (partially self guided)	Fieldwork (1 hr)
Week 08	Place-based research in planning practice (Part 1)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Gathering and interpreting secondary data	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Place-based research in planning practice (part II)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Bringing together thematic analyses	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Forward thinking: addressing issues and implementing a vision for change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Formulating recommendations for future planning and design	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Communicating urban planning and design ideas	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Preparing for the group presentation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Open tutorial, Group presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Group presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

A minimum attendance of 90% is required to satisfy the attendance requirements for this unit. Students should arrive on time and ready to engage in classroom activities.

Unit Coordinators will consider attendance with notice (if you are running late, you must notify your lecturer or tutor otherwise you may be marked absent).

For further details on attendance policy, see the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Resolutions: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?

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

The core text book for this course is Understanding Urbanism (Eds) Rogers, D., Keane, A., Alizadeh, T., Nelson, J.

See canvas for the reading list, by week

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. demonstrate comprehension of the different ideas and processes that have shaped the evolution of cities over time
LO2. understand how planners, urban designers and other built environment professionals intervene in and shape urban development outcomes, including through plans and strategies.
LO3. comprehend the basic principles and processes of project management and apply them in undertaking a team-based project.
LO4. apply critical thinking skills to analyse symmetries and tensions between different narratives of cities and city evolution.
LO5. apply concepts and methods from urban research to analyse real places.

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.

We have adjusted some tutorial activities and the order of learning activities in response to student feedback and have scheduled the fieldwork earlier in the semester to allow more time for groups to collaborate. Assignment due dates have been spaced to provide more time for feedback to be provided and applied.

Additional information

Additional costs

Students can choose to bring one page of notes into the in-class test. These need to be in hard copy and must be printed at students' own expense. Students will need to travel to the fieldwork site (in central Sydney), which may incur public or private transportation costs. Students will need to take photographs at the site visit and or sketch drawings. Students should bring their own devices at their own cost for these purposes.

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DAAE1001: Living Cities

Semester 2, 2026 [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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links