121-022 Development and Urban Environments

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.

Usually completion of 25 points of first year geography, environmental studies, urban planning or environmental science, or the permission of the subject coordinator.

This subject examines the relationship between development and urban environments. The innovation of this subject is to consider both the physical and human systems that make up urban environments. The subject covers how development impacts manifest as problems, and also the variety of ways in which these problems are understood and managed. Topics discussed include the impacts of globalisation on urban environments, urban transport, cities and human health, pollution causes and control, urban hydrology and biological systems, urban environmental activism and ideas of sustainable development. Students should gain an appreciation of cities as part of, rather than separate from, the physical environment; the complex interactions between social agents, historical processes, political structures and natural phenomena in urban spaces; and the often contested political and policy responses to urban environmental issues.

• be able to: think critically about issues relating to Australian environmental politics and management;

• develop a conceptual framework appropriate to understanding and interpreting Australian environmental issues;

• learn research skills appropriate to understanding and interpreting Australian environmental issues;

• write coherent and well-researched essays;

• engage in effective oral presentations.

Practical reports totalling 1000 words 20% (due during semester), field trip report 1000 words 30% (due mid-semester) and major essay 2000 words 50% (due at end of semester).