URBDES 705 : Urban Design Site Analysis

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Urban morphology, site analyses and an exploration of a contemporary urban design issue.

Course Overview

This is a lecturing and activity course of Urban Morphology. This course provides an introduction to the theories of urban morphology, methods of site analysis, and the relationship between urban policy and urban design.  The aims of this course are to:

  • Introduce and discuss the key definitions of Urban Morphology and how they inform urban design;  
  • Develop the ability to interpret urban design projects from a morphological point of view; 
  • Develop the ability to undertake a site analysis from a morphological point of view; and  
  • Develop the ability to link planning policy and urban morphology/urban design 



Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Urban Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of of the key urban morphology concepts and how they inform urban design (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Develop and demonstrate the ability to effectively deliver urban design projects from an morphological point of view (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Demonstrate an in-depth ability to link urban design, urban morphology and urban planning policy outcomes and to communicate these results in a professional manner (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1 and 6.3)
  4. Demonstrate and understand the ability to undertake site analysis skills for urban design (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Mid report 30% Individual Coursework
Final written assignment 70% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Mid report
Final written assignment

Teaching & Learning Methods

The course will be delivered through four instances: Lectures, group activities, seminars and tutorial.

METHODS: Lectures are delivered by the teachers. Group activities are organised by the teachers. Seminars are organised by the teachers with students’ participation. Tutorial are one-to-one conversations between the teachers and the students to discuss their assignments and course matters.

COURSE RATIONALE: The teaching/learning methods aim to develop student’s critical thinking, their capacity to link theory and practice in urban morphology and site analysis, analytical and communication skills. This course will feed the students’ professional practice and performance in other urban design courses of the master programme.
The course has an interdisciplinary base considering the scope of urban morphology and urban form analysis. This allows a combination and development of both analytical and representational skill in urban design.

CAPABILITIES: student will develop their critical thinking at theoretical and practical levels through the critical appraisal of extant theories in urban morphology and its correlation to practice. International references will provide the opportunity to link local realities with the global context and mainstream debates in urban morphology

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15 point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

For this course, you can expect 22 hours of lectures, 128 hours of reading and thinking about the content and on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
The course will/include live online events including group discussions lecture and these will be recorded.

Where possible, study material will [be available at course commencement/be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/01/2021 10:26 a.m.