121-221 Urban Environments

Note

All BSc students, except those enrolled in the BA/BSc combined course and the BASc course, can only receive 12.5 points science credit at the 200-level for this subject.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

25 points of Geography or Environmental Studies at 100-level, or one of the following subjects: 121-219/319 Environmental Politics and Management, 121-212/312 Geomorphology, 121-220/320 Water Resources, 600-201 Physical Environment, 600-202 Introduction to Environmental Issues.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject places urban environments in the global context and investigates the physical and biological aspects of cities; energy and water inputs, outputs and transformations; and social, demographic and political dimensions of urban centres. Topics covered include the impact of urban masses on climate, hydrology, land and biological systems; how these impacts are manifest as problems; and the variety of ways these impacts are managed. Students will gain an appreciation of the nature of cities as part of rather than separate from the general environment; the nature of complex interactions between social structures, natural phenomena, and built environments; and the conflicting political and policy responses to urban environmental issues.

Assessment

One 3000 word essay, practical exercises to be completed within the practical period, 1.5 hour end-of-semester examination. Weighting of assessment items will be announced at the beginning of the semester.