11504 Architectural Practice: The City

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject establishes the theoretical, historical and social context in which cities are contested sites for development and preservation. Regulations governing change to fabric or use are mechanisms for managing competing stakeholders representing economic and social interests. They sit between urban theory and law and give formal expression to broader cultural beliefs about what makes a good city. This subject seeks to examine regulatory systems within the broader, and highly political, context of the city. The ways in which regulatory and political processes reflect ethical and aesthetic positions is addressed, as well as the opportunities and challenges for architects to act ethically within corporate culture. The relationship between the design professions and planning systems and governance bodies is explored through international and local case studies in lectures, tutorials and field studies. The subject specifically addresses urban theory; regional and urban planning issues; planning policies and procedures; infrastructural planning; governance bodies and regulations – local councils, planning departments; managing community conflict; and the micro-economics of the property industry.

Subject objectives/outcomes

By the end of this subject students would be able to achieve the following:

1. demonstrate an understanding of urban design theory and planning and apply this knowledge to architectural practice locally and internationally
2. demonstrate an understanding of the role of the architect and opportunities for architectural practice within the political systems and regulatory contexts in which physical development of cities is carried out
3. formulate strategic plans towards the establishment, management and promotion of an expanded architectural practice
4. demonstrate an understanding of the complex and challenging social, ethical, environmental, political and regulatory contexts within which architectural practice is carried out
5. develop competencies in professional practice that address registration requirements, including contractual and legal responsibilities.
   

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This is one of four core architectural practice subjects in the Master of Architecture offered to students in both years of the M. Architecture from which students must take all four in the course of completing the degree. Together the architectural practice subjects are aimed at preparing students for expanded practice in emerging new media and markets, contemporary business practice and global economies, and within complex and challenging social, environmental, political and regulatory contexts. The architectural practice subjects will prepare students for the broad roles and activities of the profession, as well as providing the critical skills through which they can contribute more broadly to the built environment through leadership, advocacy and research. Within the context of the architectural practice subjects and the whole course, this subject contributes to graduates who are:

• Able to contribute and work collaboratively in local and international architectural practices of different scale and structure;
• Strategic and enterprising managers of their own careers;
• Responsible collaborators and sound leaders within architectural practice;
• Informed and self-motivated professionals who apply ethical, environmental, cultural, aesthetic and technological considerations to architectural issues;
• Capable of critical thought, with the ability to analyse, evaluate, question, and engage in informed argument;
• Able to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written, visual, physical and digital.

Teaching and learning strategies

Weekly on campus: 2 hr lecture, 1 hr tutorial
Face-to-face classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, discussion of readings and case studies, role play  and student groupwork. These will be complemented by independent student reading and participation in online discussion.
 

Content

Subject areas may include: Urban theory; Regional and Urban Planning Issues; Planning Policies and Procedures; infrastructural planning; Governance Bodies and Regulations-Local Councils, Planning Departments; Managing community conflict; the micro-economics of the property industry. The contact hours for the subject will generally be around three to four hours per week of lectures, seminars, workshops and/or tutorials. The subject will include field trips and case studies, review of primary and secondary literature; project-based and research exercises appropriate to the subject matter; the development and presentation of assignment work of a professional standard.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: City Plan Research Assignment

Assessment Item 2: City Plan Elements

Assessment Item 3: Critical Reflection

Recommended texts

Weeks 1-3 Who contributes to the city

• Sandercock L, 1990, Cities for Sale

Weeks 4-5 How does a city integrate often conflicting directions to express a clear direction for its future

• Bob Meyer 2009, Future Sydney A city of Cities (also for assignment 1)

Weeks 6-7 What have we learnt from the history of our cities and how is this expressed in contemporary plans and agendas?

• Hall, P Cities in Civilization: Culture, Innovation and Urban Order

(Phoenix Giant, 1999, London)

• Balducci S 2011, Stragic Planning for Contemporary Urban Regions

City of Cities : A project for Milan ( also for assignment 1)

Weeks 8-10 What is the current Local Condition

• Thompson S Planning 200? Australia: An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning

Weeks 11-12 The Alternatives how else can we manage a city?