ABB153 Urban Analysis

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This is a foundation unit that will introduce you to various demographic, socioeconomic and physical aspects of cities and to qualitative, quantitative and spatial methods of urban analysis that you will apply in a real-world context. This unit will also help you to develop your communication and collaboration skills using appropriate techniques.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Understand how interrelated factors shape contemporary cities
2. Apply urban theories and urban analysis techniques used in contemporary planning practices to real-world examples
3. Work collaboratively using appropriate data and research techniques
4. Interpret and communicate ideas and creative solutions using diverse modes

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you can expect the following timetabled activities:

Formal lectures from experienced academics to give you insights into knowledge, skills and attributes related to urban analysis.

Weekly tutorials, applying the lecture materials, including concepts and data analysis methods, to problem solving tasks and real world examples.

To complement the timetabled activities you will be provided with lecture recordings and readings that you can access flexibly to complete your learning in this unit. 

You are expected to:

Read prescribed materials

Attend or review recordings of lectures to revise concepts and methods

Participate in tutorials to review content of lectures and apply methods

Contribute to your group assessment 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Each assessment (if appropriate) will be marked against criteria and standards which will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and marking rubrics. Marked assessments will include feedback from markers against the criteria. 

General information and feedback on assignment tasks will be provided to the class.

You will share and discuss ideas with your peers during the development of your project (Assessment 2) and participate in review of your group members input into the group work. 

Assessment

Overview

Assessments in this unit have been designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your learning against the unit learning outcomes. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Examination

This examination, based on multiple choice and short answer questions, will test your understanding of the theories, concepts, methods and techniques covered during the lectures. 

Assessment: Debate

The debate will test your capacity to develop and deliver arguments in favor or against selected topics in urban studies and will allow you to strengthen your skills of oral presentation, critical thinking and analysis.

Assessment: Project

As a team of urban planners, you will undertake a research project that will test your capacity to critically evaluate an idea or theory relating to the field of urban studies as well as your capacity to apply methods of data analysis to test your selected idea or theory in a real world context.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
   Relates to: Examination, Debate, Project
2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
   Relates to: Examination, Debate, Project
3. Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
   Relates to: Examination, Debate, Project
4. Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
   Relates to: Project