Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  1. understand the multitude of sustainability challenges and issues confronting cities today which are forcing a rethink of the way our urban commsubjecties are being designed and built
  2. understand the importance of physical planning in attempting to resolve these problems
  3. appreciate the physical evolution of cities over the centuries, in particular the role of transport technology and other infrastructure in shaping urban form and function
  4. demonstrate how cities around the world today can be classified according to their degree of automobile dependence, and to understand quantitatively the range of land use and transport characteristics associated with different levels of automobile dependence.

  • Topics

    • Unit Introduction: Sustainability in an Urban Century
    • Cities and Human History
    • Cities Today: Key Challenges
    • Cities and Climate Change
    • Towards Sustainable Cities
    • The Greening of Urban Transport: Better Public Transport
    • The Greening of Urban Transport: Walking and Cycling
    • Sustainable Urban Form: Compact Cities and Urban Containment
    • Sustainable Urban Form: Sustainable Suburbs
    • Water and the City
    • Nature and the City
    • Professional Practice, Participation and Community Ethics

  • Study resources

    • Instructional Methods

      • Disscusion forum/Discussion Board
      • Online assignment submission
      • Podcasting/Leacture capture
      • Standard Media
      • Web links

    • Print Materials

      • Study guide

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • MUR-SUS220

Others

Students must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in this subject.

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as SUS220 Sustainable Urban Communities.

Over half the world’s population now live in urban areas and 75 percent could be urban by 2050. This subject examines the sustainability challenges and possibilities that lie ahead as we become an increasingly urban species. The subject explores how we can create urban communities and lifestyles that enhance human dignity and equality, while also being more environmentally sustainable. The subject takes an international perspective, exploring majory urban sustainability issues and inspirational practices from Australia, Asia and around the world.

  • Project (40%)
  • Online Discussion (30%)
  • Invigilated Exam (30%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

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Related Degrees

undergraduate MUR-AID-DEG-2018

Bachelor of Arts (International Aid and Development)

undergraduate MUR-ART-DEG-2018

Bachelor of Arts
4 available majors
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  • Major in Community Development
  • Major in International Aid and Development
  • Major in Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
  • Major in Sustainable Development