GEOG 7015UAC - Introduction to Urbanisation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

Urban population accounts for 55% of total world population in 2018. This figure is projected to reach 68% by 2050. Migration has been a significant driver of urbanisation. Urbanisation is one of the most profound demographic and social processes facing the world today. In addition social, demographic and environmental challenges posed by climate change (or environmental change as defined broadly) are expected to have significant ramifications in the urbanisation process through impacting on urban sustainability, human security, institutional and infrastructural integrity, urban economic activities, livelihoods and liveability. These are important issues that need conceptual rethinking and policy interventions. As places where demographic, economic, social and environmental concerns are closely intertwined within the urban systems, cities are hotspots for an integrated approach to development.. This course provides an overview of the key concepts of urbanisation and methods for unravelling the urbanisation processes. It analyses major causal factors influencing urban growth and change in cities in both developed and developing countries. It examines the policy interventions used by governments to better manage population flows and increase adaptive capacities of diverse urban populations to socio-economic and environmental stresses of urban development, including housing, healthcare, social exclusion, utilities and land-use change. It investigates how urban planning influences the development pathways of cities and living outcomes of different groups of the urban inhabitants. It addresses important concepts and notions in urban studies, including demographic transition, population mobility, social inequality, social justice, urban citizenship, green urbanisation, and sustainability, and draws on case studies from Australia and other countries, including developing countries

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOG 7015UAC
    Course Introduction to Urbanisation
    Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week.
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites Completed degree (72 units)
    Incompatible GEOG 5093
    Course Description Urban population accounts for 55% of total world population in 2018. This figure is projected to reach 68% by 2050. Migration has been a significant driver of urbanisation. Urbanisation is one of the most profound demographic and social processes facing the world today. In addition social, demographic and environmental challenges posed by climate change (or environmental change as defined broadly) are expected to have significant ramifications in the urbanisation process through impacting on urban sustainability, human security, institutional and infrastructural integrity, urban economic activities, livelihoods and liveability. These are important issues that need conceptual rethinking and policy interventions. As places where demographic, economic, social and environmental concerns are closely intertwined within the urban systems, cities are hotspots for an integrated approach to development.. This course provides an overview of the key concepts of urbanisation and methods for unravelling the urbanisation processes. It analyses major causal factors influencing urban growth and change in cities in both developed and developing countries. It examines the policy interventions used by governments to better manage population flows and increase adaptive capacities of diverse urban populations to socio-economic and environmental stresses of urban development, including housing, healthcare, social exclusion, utilities and land-use change. It investigates how urban planning influences the development pathways of cities and living outcomes of different groups of the urban inhabitants. It addresses important concepts and notions in urban studies, including demographic transition, population mobility, social inequality, social justice, urban citizenship, green urbanisation, and sustainability, and draws on case studies from Australia and other countries, including developing countries
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Lyrian Daniel

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1.    Critically analyse urbanisation processes and their contribution to economic growth and human wellbeing;

    2.    Develop an understanding of cities and the role of urban processes in shaping population distribution, economic restructuring, and society;

    3.    Understand how and why different forms of urbanisation in developed and developing countries have developed, and their implications for population distribution, economy, society and environment;

    4.    Develop conceptual thinking on the complex interactions between climate (environmental) risks, urbanisation and human mobility;

    5.    Critically analyse the relationship between urban planning, property development and urban growth;

    6.    Communicate both orally and in written form the key aspects of urbanisation processes.

    7.    Familiarise major sources of literature and data/information on urbanisation studies.




    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,3,4,5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2, 6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1-6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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