Course Title: Urban Systems

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Urban Systems

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OENG1037

City Campus

Undergraduate

120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

OENG1037

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Professor Jega Jegatheesan

Course Coordinator Phone: +613 9925 0810

Course Coordinator Email: jega.jegatheesan@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B010 F10 R025

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course, we explore the complexity of urban development in a rapidly urbanising world. Seeing the city as a complex socio-ecological-technical system, we investigate the opportunities and challenges offered by urbanisation and consider the role of engineers in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. We explore topics such as urban inequality and inclusive design, informal settlements, climate resilience, water sensitive urban design, urban greening, livability, urban governance and participatory urban planning.

As part of the course you will explore your local neighbourhood through an individual reflection and work as part of a team to identify and solve a real-world and complex urban design challenge.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours):

1.5.  Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
1.6.  Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
2.1.  Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
3.2.  Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
3.3.  Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
3.5.  Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.


On completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation in the 21st century locally and globally.
  2. Explore and critique local urban design and engineering solutions and propose alternatives.
  3. Apply engineering methods, principles, and problem-solving techniques to identify and analyse a contemporary urban challenge/opportunity and develop a design response.
  4. Communicate thoughts and ideas on urban design to relevant stakeholders using creative and visual presentation skills.
  5. Reflect on and discuss the role and responsibilities of engineers in urban development in the 21st century.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include:

  • Pre-recorded lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Field trips
  • Research through library holdings, online databases, and interviews
  • Group-based design project


Overview of Learning Resources

Resources for this course will be made available through Canvas. Learning resources for this course include:

  • Pre-recorded online lectures
  • Lecture slides
  • Reading material
  • Links to relevant Internet sites and databases


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assignment Task 1 – Individual reflection (50%)
This assignment consists of two assessment items:
AI 1.1. Annotated bibliography (20%) (CLOs 1, 5)
AI 1.2. Urban design critique (30%) (CLOs 1, 2, 4)

Assessment Task 2 – Urban design project (50%)
This assignment consists of two assessment items:
AI 2.1. Project proposal (10%) (CLOs 1, 2, 4)
AI 2.2. Design report (40%) (CLOs 1, 3, 4)

You will receive verbal and/or written feedback from your lecturer, delivery-coordinator, and/or peers on your assessment tasks.