Course Title: Shelter and Settlements in Disasters and Development

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Shelter and Settlements in Disasters and Development

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.  


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1431

City Campus

Postgraduate

320H Architecture & Urban Design

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020

ARCH1431

City Campus

Postgraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Dr Leila Irajifar

Course Coordinator Phone: available on line

Course Coordinator Email: leila.irajifar@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: on line

Course Coordinator Availability: TBC


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course explores the response and recovery of shelter and settlements after disaster, as well as design strategies that promote sustainability in the context of natural disasters, climate change impacts and conflict. Diverse approaches to designing shelter and planning settlements in disaster-prone or disaster-affected places are investigated at different stages after a disaster and/or crisis, including emergency, transitional and permanent shelter. You will learn how shelter provision by leading humanitarian agencies such as the IFRC and World Vision is provided. Of key focus is the IFRC-led ‘Shelter Cluster System’, established to make post-disaster operations more effective and timely by coordinating the actions of governments and a range of agencies.

You will study how various types of shelter solutions are applied in natural disasters, crises and development situations. You will learn how to effectively plan and coordinate shelter needs assessments, develop strategies and implement plans with international organizations, national authorities, the displaced and the affected population.


 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Master a body of knowledge and specific technical skills to progress your professional career within the contemporary disaster management, design and development arena 
  • Formulate and evaluate collaborative design informed strategies before and after disaster, while working within the constraints of industry needs in the post-disaster and development sectors 
  • Determine and apply specialist knowledge and technical skills required to creatively solve problems, demonstrating expert judgment and ethical responsibility relating to your professional practice in disaster, design and development 
  • Professionally communicate propositions, processes and outcomes to address specialist and non-specialist audiences 
  • Provide leadership within your discipline as well as collaborate with others in multi-disciplinary contexts across the disaster and development sector


Upon the successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Synthesise and Apply empirical and practical knowledge for shelter and settlements design, planning and programming in disaster, crisis and developmental settings 
  • Explain the ‘Shelter Cluster System’ and how key humanitarian agencies such as IFRC operate in post-disaster situations 
  • Work effectively with others in a range of roles, contexts and scenarios demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness, as well as ethical practice relating to shelter 
  • Create shelter needs assessment plans that demonstrate creative, innovative and critical thinking skills in addressing the challenges of disaster and crisis circumstances within which shelter and settlements are positioned 
  • Evaluate and reflect on roles of humanitarian actors in promoting sustainable and resilient shelter 
  • Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to demonstrate ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, including vulnerable communities


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities, both face-to-face and online, such as discussions, class activities and research. Learning how to analyse and comment on your own and others’ work will be achieved through individual presentations, reviews and discussions in groups.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including readings and other web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment occurs through a holistic evaluation of the completed design project in the form of a final presentation and portfolio. The grade is based on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

The final project will be assessed holistically in the form of a portfolio submission and presentation of your design project to a review panel consisting of landscape architecture staff and an external panel member.

Assessment Tasks

1. A series of exercises that apply an analytical framework for effective shelter and settlement solutions – 2500 words (50%).  This assignment relates to the following course learning outcomes:

  • Synthesise and apply empirical and practical knowledge for shelter and settlements design, planning and programming in disaster, crisis and developmental settings
  • Analyse ‘Shelter Cluster System’ and how key humanitarian agencies such as IFRC operate in post-disaster situations
  • Work effectively with others in a range of roles, contexts and scenarios demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness, as well as ethical practice relating to shelter

2. An annotated portfolio of case studies of shelter and settlement projects to highlight principles and strategies for sustainable human development post-crises – 2500 word (50%)Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to demonstrate ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, including vulnerable communities. This assignment relates to the following course learning outcomes:

  • Synthesise and apply empirical and practical knowledge for shelter and settlements design, planning and programming in disaster, crisis and developmental settings
  • Work effectively with others in a range of roles, contexts and scenarios demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness, as well as ethical practice relating to shelter
  • Create shelter needs assessment plans that demonstrate creative, innovative and critical thinking skills in addressing the challenges of disaster and crisis circumstances within which shelter and settlements are positioned
  • Evaluate and reflect on roles of humanitarian actors in promoting sustainable and resilient shelter
  • Communicate using diverse formats and strategies to demonstrate ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, including vulnerable communities.

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.