705-173 Shaping the Metropolis

Metropolitan areas have changed substancially over the past 100 years. This subject examines the ideas, values and forces which influenced the physical growth and development of urban areas in the developed world. Focusing on Australian cities with specific reference to Melbourne, and comparing these to US and UK examples, the subject considers the role of urban planners in the social, economic, political and environmental processes of urban change. The subject provides opportunities for students to speculate about the future of our cities in the 21^stcentury while considering the repetition of similar themes, problems and even proposed solutions through the 20^th century.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Be familiar with the growth and development of urban areas and the role of urban planners in those processes in the developed world during the 20^th century.

• Speculate on the future of metropolitan areas for this century based on themes which repeated throughout the previous century.

• Competently conduct research using primary and secondary source material.

• Confidently present their research findings verbally.

• Produce thorough written arguments and analysis rather then purely descriptive work.

On completion of the subject students should have developed skills in research, critical analysis and writing.

One introductory assignment, tutorial paper and final essay equivalent in total to 3000 words (60%), class participation (10%) and one two-hour examination (30%).