Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Urban Design Research Portfolio
Credit Points: 24.00
Important Information:
In 2024 this course is titled 'Design Studio 5'.
From 2025 this course will be titled 'Urban Design Research Portfolio'.
Flexible Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
ARCH1401 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
320H Architecture & Urban Design |
Face-to-Face |
PGRDFlex21 (ZZZZ) |
Course Coordinator: Graham Crist
Course Coordinator Phone: Contact via email
Course Coordinator Email: graham.crist@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 100.09.02
Course Coordinator Availability: Contact via email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Recommended Prior Study
You should have satisfactorily completed ARCH1400 Urban Design Studio 4 before you commence this course.
Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course. Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.
Course Description
Urban Design Research Portfolio is final component of the sequence of studios that develops your approach and position to design practice in the urban realm, and understanding of the spatial, material, performative and economic dynamics of urban space.
In this course you will produce a specialised, independent design research project. This project will extend skills and knowledge from a particular research interest, in a supervised mode of learning and teaching. Reflecting on the impact of your work in the context of the profession of Urban Design and related disciplines is a key goal. Positioning this work in the context of fluctuating urban situations and the uncertainty of development is also a focus. This studio allows you to synthesise and focus your skills and experiences toward a final piece of design research. The work will be communicated through advanced and specialised visual and technical skills and presented publicly.
Each Urban Design Research Portfolio develops a program of study to suit their individual theme and project. Refer to course handouts for details of each program and specific objectives.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
You will be assessed on your development of the following MC193 program learning outcomes in this course:
PLO1: Apply advanced design skills to generate and evaluate complex urban projects at a range of scales and sites, creatively incorporating specialised economic; regulatory and demographic data through design.
PLO2: Apply local and global knowledge of contemporary urbanism to professional urban design practice, with particular expertise in Asia.
PLO3: Demonstrate and advance innovative approaches to urban design practice and multidisciplinary collaboration.
PLO5: Identify, evaluate and communicate advanced principles and practices in urban design history and contemporary urban theory.
PLO6: Contribute to public discourse of urban design practice, including assessment and critique of urban environments and future strategies.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
CLO1: Apply advanced design skills to produce a comprehensive urban design proposal addressing a range of scales, programs, environmental and technical issues;
CLO2: Innovatively and comprehensively synthesise complex urban issues, information, programmatic and technical requirements through design, productively engaging particular site conditions;
CLO3: Present, argue and critique individual and collaborative urban design proposals visually, verbally and textually, to peers, academics, professional and public audiences;
CLO4: Critically and creatively evaluate quantitative and qualitative aspects of contemporary urban space for multidisciplinary audiences;
CLO5: Reflect on the findings of your own and related design research in the field of contemporary urbanism and urban practice.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face-to-face, online or a mix of both.
You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities including:
- Independent and collaborative design
- Producing visual and verbal presentations of design work
- Fabrication of physical models or other representative materials
- Site visits and excursions to exemplary projects
- Attendance at lectures and public events as related to the project
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
More specifically, a list of key reference texts and online resources will be provided and regularly updated. Relevant material will be placed on reserve through the RMIT Swanston Library during semester in which this course is offered.
There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Portfolio Part 1: A comprehensive summation and reflection on the work of the work in the Urban Design program, in the form of a Portfolio.
Weighting – 40%
Addressing Course Learning Outcomes: CLO1 CL02 CLO5
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio Part 2: An urban design project and report in the form of a Portfolio.
Weighting: 40%
Addressing Course Learning Outcomes: CLO2 CLO4 CL05
Assessment Task 3: Oral l Presentation: A live verbal presentation of the project to a review panel.
Weighting: 20%
Addressing Course Learning Outcomes: CLO3 CLO5
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.