ABH344 Landscape Design 6: Urban Ecologies
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABH344 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (ABB241 or DLB204) and (ABB242 or DLB202) |
| Equivalent(s): | DLB303 or ABB244 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABH344 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (ABB241 or DLB204) and (ABB242 or DLB202) |
| Equivalent: | DLB303 or ABB244 |
Overview
This honours-level studio unit advances your capacity to critically investigate and respond to complex urban ecological challenges through the design of urban landscapes. Building on prior design, landscape ecology and planning studies, you will engage with contemporary ecological theories, Indigenous knowledges, and socio-environmental frameworks that inform the design of resilient, just and regenerative urban landscapes.
You will undertake design-led research to analyse urban ecosystems and develop a resolved landscape architecture proposition at the community and precinct scale. Emphasis is placed on critical inquiry, independent scholarship, and design excellence appropriate to honours-level study, supporting progression towards advanced design, theory and practice units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically research and synthesise contemporary ecological theories, precedents and Indigenous knowledges relevant to urban landscape architecture.
- Undertake advanced analysis of urban ecosystems to identify environmental, social and cultural challenges and opportunities.
- Develop and resolve an honours-level landscape architecture design proposition that responds to complex socio-ecological conditions.
- Demonstrate critical judgement, creativity and technical proficiency in the design resolution of urban landscapes.
- Communicate design-led research and outcomes using visual, written and verbal modes appropriate to honours-level practice.
Content
- Contemporary ecological theory and urban ecologies
- Ecological Urbanism and Landscape Urbanism
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous perspectives in landscape design
- Urbanisation, biodiversity loss and climate adaptation
- Resilience, regeneration and socio-ecological systems
- Design for environmental and social justice
- Precedents in urban ecological landscape architecture
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts an honours-level studio learning model that integrates design-led research, critical reflection and independent inquiry. Learning activities include:
- Studio-based design development and critique
- Research seminars and lectures introducing advanced ecological and socio-cultural frameworks
- Guided and independent site analysis and ecosystem appraisal
- Iterative design testing and resolution
- Peer learning, scholarly discussion and reflective practice
Students are expected to demonstrate autonomy in progressing their design research and to actively contribute to studio discourse and critique.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
- Formative critique from academic staff, peers and industry guests
- Structured reviews at key project milestones
- Criteria-referenced assessment rubrics and summative feedback
Assessment
Overview
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis
Assessment: Design Project
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
Required and recommended readings and resources will be identified on Canvas prior to and during semester.
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- 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: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis, Design Project - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis, Design Project - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis, Design Project - Plan, develop and complete research and other projects.
Relates to: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis, Design Project - Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
Relates to: Design Research and Ecosytem Analysis, Design Project