15904 Major Project: Analysis and Outcomes
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 15302 Major Project: Methods
Description
This subject, together with 15302 Major Project: Methods, develops core skills that give students the ability to successfully complete rigorous and original planning, problem-solving exercises. This subject forms the second of the two parts of the Major Project subjects.
In this subject, Major Project: Analysis and Outcomes, students conduct research analysis using relevant analytical methods and provide justified solutions or recommendations for the chosen problems, and produce comprehensive reports. In the analysis section, nature, causes and effects of a problem considering the environmental, economic and socio-cultural consequences are explored. This allows students to evaluate and understand the potential stakeholders involved in addressing the problem from a holistic perspective. In the outcomes section, students develop viable solutions or recommendations for solving the problem.
The subject enhances students' abilities to develop their considered responses to find practical and innovative solutions for contemporary urban planning. It is undertaken primarily via self-guided learning, but supervisors carefully oversee students and meet with them on a regular basis.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate reflective and critical understanding of one’s own perspective |
|---|---|
| 2. | Develop effective communication strategies |
| 3. | Apply effective methods and appropriate analytic tools in research analysis |
| 4. | Formulate sound conclusions based on evidence and analysis |
| 5. | Articulate strategic thinking on alternative solutions |
| 6. | Construct creative solutions for identified planning problems |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Enable reflective practice on one's personal views and values and interpret how they might affect one's professional judgement (A.1)
- Communicate with people with a wide variety of cultural, social, economic, and political perspectives using verbal, written, and visual media (C.2)
- Investigate strategically the future of cities and regions and identify the drivers of change (P.1)
- Apply a wide array of analytic tools (which may include spreadsheets, geographic information software, three-dimensional simulations, or negotiation tools) to determine constraints and opportunities (P.3)
- Design and conduct a research project to identify and evaluate alternative strategies to resolve a complex problem (R.2)
- Develop coherent and logically structured arguments that use evidence appropriately (R.5)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
Students analyse the causes and effects of the chosen planning problem, then formulate recommendations based on review and analysis conducted on the selected topic in the first subject 15302 Major Project: Methods. Students conduct independent and self-directed readings and research, then discuss their research and progresses in regular (approximately fortnightly or as required) supervision meetings. Students are guided carefully by their specific supervisors.
These supervision meetings provide opportunities for identification of problems, presentation and discussion of research analysis findings, and development of appropriate and creative solutions to the planning problems. Students will need to engage with formal policy tools which impact upon their chosen planning problem.
Continuous feedback is provided individually in these one-to-one sessions with the supervisor; the students need to take note of the feedback and act upon it.
Content (topics)
The topic to be developed in this subject should be the continuation of the topic chosen in 15302 Major Project: Methods.
Some of the possible topics (non-restrictive) are listed below:
1. Transport - transit oriented development, pricing, environmental impacts, infrastructure planning and policies, public and private transport usage, impacts of new transport infrastructure on urban form etc.
2. Urban design - urban analysis, design qualities and place making, open space design
3. Community development and participation - consultation in planning process, developing community indicators
4. Housing - affordability, house prices and infrastructure, social housing issues, housing policies, mixed use development
5. Heritage Planning
6. Urban planning policy analysis
7. Urban Structure - morphologies, green infrastructure planning, public open space planning
8. Local food system - food security and sustainability, community gardens, green roofs, home gardens, planning policies for local food, food urbanism
9. Sustainable design, planning and urban performance, density patterns, mixed uses, sustainable communities, eco-city developments and framework, sustainability indicators, assessment and rating tools
10. Social sustainability
11. Sustainable/Eco tourism
The subject content is arranged in consultation with the Head of School. Each research study or project is required to fulfil the core learning objectives of the subject and link to relevant research themes in the urban planning field.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Draft Report on Analysis and Outcomes
| Intent: | In this assignment, the student must present a clear and concise analysis of the causes and effects of the chosen planning problem and develop a set of creative solutions to address it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, C.2, P.1, P.3, R.2 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 65% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 10,000 words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Final Report on Analysis and Outcomes
| Intent: | The students have to develop their final report by improving the draft (assignment 1) considering and incorporating the feedback provided by the supervisor/lecturer. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 2 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1 and C.2 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | 10,000 words max | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Students must obtain a total mark of at least 50% to pass the subject.
Required texts
No required texts; students study academic literature and practical applications to conduct research depending on chosen topics.
Other resources
Natalie Macris. 2003. Planning in Plain English: writing tips for urban and environmental planners. Planners Press: Chicago, IL
David Adams. 2001. Writing better reports: a handbook for civil and environmental engineers. Michigan State University. Available at http://www.egr.msu.edu/cee/techcom/handbook.pdf
Zina O’Leary. 2004. The essential guide to doing research. London, Thousand Oaks: Sage