ABN402 Sustainable Urban Design
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: | ABN402 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 192 credit points, or admission into DE83 Master of Architecture. |
| Equivalent(s): | DYN106 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,612 |
| International unit fee | $5,196 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABN402 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 192 credit points, or admission into DE83 Master of Architecture. |
| Equivalent: | DYN106 |
| Coordinator: | Mirko Guaralda | m.guaralda@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit explores the principles and integrated approaches that shape urban design as a creative and problem-solving discipline. It focuses on enhancing the quality of urban spaces and spatial experiences while reinforcing sustainability, resilience, and cultural diversity. You will engage with complex urban challenges through a design lens, exploring how different perspectives inform urban design practices and spatial outcomes. The unit also examines the role of emerging technologies in shaping contemporary urban environments, equipping you with the tools to integrate digital innovations into design processes. Through key principles, frameworks, and methodologies, you will develop the skills necessary to create responsive, inclusive, and sustainable urban spaces.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge on contemporary issues that are critical in urban design guided by key principles and integrated approaches.
- Apply methods and tools to critically identify, investigate and analyse context specific issues and resouces relevant to urban design.
- Apply and translate theory and evidence-based research into design interventions aimed to deliver quality urban design.
- Critically analyse urban design characteristics through a range of methods and tools as they relate to a specific space.
Content
The major themes covered in this unit will include:
- Urban Morphology
- Urban Geography
- Urban Economy
- Urban Ecology
- Paradigms and theories of sustainability
- Principles of sustainable urban design
- Tools and tactics to approach current sustainability challenges
In this advanced unit, you will explore sustainability, sustainable development, and sustainable urban design from several perspectives. You will be engaged in considering different dimensions of urban design to inform your praxis as a reflective practitioner. In this unit, you will delve into different methods to advance our collective understanding of sustainable urban development, to achieve quality urban conditions. You will develop an understanding of how urban design deals with power and politics, economy and ecology, as well as community and culture.
Learning Approaches
ABN402 is designed as a shared learning environment for Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) and Master of Architecture students, focusing on integrated urban design strategies that reinforce sustainability, resilience, and enriched everyday experiences. By engaging diverse disciplinary perspectives, this unit mirrors the collaborative nature of professional practice at an advanced learning level, guiding you to address complex urban challenges and translate their insights into effective policy and design solutions.
In this unit you will have the opportunity to learn through active engagement with different learning resources, peer learning, moderated and facilitated discussions and workshops, learning events and self-directed learning materials. You will explore various intellectually stimulating activities aimed to empower you within the sphere of sustainable urban design. Equipped with practical methods and tools, you will be able to navigate through complex urban issues and develop design that can add value. The unit will contain self-directed learning supported by digital means. For effective knowledge and skills development, weekly participation in learning activities is essential. Additional work outside teaching times will also be required in line with QUT guidelines.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- in-class formative exercises
- criteria referenced assessment sheets
- general comments to cohort group via the Canvas site and in-class discussions
- collaborative peer, academic and industry feedback.
Assessment
Overview
To satisfy the requirements of this unit, you will need to demonstrate design knowledge, critical thinking, and visual communication skills. These are assessed through two key assignments: the first focuses on your understanding of sustainable urban design principles and your ability to analyse and interpret them in depth; the second challenges you to apply this knowledge through a design-led investigation, effectively communicating your findings through a well-crafted report that integrates text and original graphics.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Urban Design Concept - develop your vision for an urban environment
You will present your well-researched and theoretically grounded concept proposal for an urban design intervention. The proposal should articulate your vision for an urban development, detailing what you want to achieve regarding the overall urban layout, the social milieu, the economic structure, and your response to the local environment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme
You will prepare a portfolio to outline and detail your proposed urban design. Your design should be validated by evidence grounded in urban design theories and practices. The portfolio will include text and graphics.
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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
Because some of the teaching and learning resources are online, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone to enable your full participation in learning activities and engagement with learning materials.
Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this unit
Resources
Required and recommended resources will be provided and signposted to through the online learning platform.
Risk Assessment Statement
Substantial computer-based work will be required. You are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
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: Urban Design Concept - develop your vision for an urban environment, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Urban Design Concept - develop your vision for an urban environment, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme - Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
Relates to: Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme
DE83 Master of Architecture
- Identifying, explaining and working with appropriate knowledge of architecture, its history and precedents and with knowledge of people, environments, culture, technology, history and ideas pertinent to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Urban Design Concept - develop your vision for an urban environment, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme - Supporting their decision-making using evidence-based, reasoned argument and judgement pertaining to architectural propositions.
Relates to: ULO2, Urban Design Concept - develop your vision for an urban environment, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme - Communicating with a variety of audiences in appropriate ways.
Relates to: ULO1, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme - Demonstrating their understanding of architecture's status as an ethical service-oriented profession committed to responsible care for the inhabited environment.
Relates to: ULO3, Urban Design Development - articulate and validate your vision into a viable design scheme