121-022 Development and Urban Environments

Formerly available as 121-221/321. Students who have completed 121-221 or 121-321 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. All BSc students, except those enrolled in the BA/BSc combined course and the BASc course, can only receive credit at the 200-level for this subject.

Completion of 25 points of first year geography, environmental studies, urban planning or environmental science.

This subject examines the impacts of development on urban environments and of urbanisation on urban hydrology, land and biological systems. This subject also covers how these impacts are manifest as problems, and the variety of ways these impacts are managed. The issues discussed include globalisation and impacts on urban environments; urban transport; urban environments and human health; pollution causes and control; urban impact on natural resources; cities and sustainable development. Students should 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.

An essay of 2000 words, practical exercises, and a 2-hour examination.