18 Points
Co-ordinator: Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett
The paper will survey histories, structures and practical dilemmas of contemporary urbanisation and city transformation via disparate case studies of urban planning from around the world.
The choice of dissimilar case studies is a path to ensuring that we strenuously test the theories that we are exploring and that we do not simply consider the specifics of particular places, but that we also undertake meaningful comparative analysis, aware of both local and global contexts.
We will grapple with the formulation and implementation of transformative plans that significantly affect the lives of people.
This requires that you think analytically and creatively about the city-making process. In particular, throughout the course, you should be asking yourself the following questions (derived from the work of Bent Flyvbjerg) in relation to each city that we study:
- What problem is the city trying to address?
- How is the city addressing it and where is it going?
- Is what’s being done desirable?
- Who is gaining and who is losing in relation to the changes that are taking place?
- What, if anything, should be done about that?
Details
An evaluation of theoretical concepts, debates and worldviews relevant to envisaging ‘just’ urban sustainability, based on comparative critical analyses of city transformations led by Indigenous, environmental and/or equity imperatives.
| Paper title | Envisioning Sustainable Cities |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GEOG384 |
| Subject | Geography |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,141.35 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 54 GEOG points
- Restriction
- GEOG 215
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Contact
- geography@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett
- Paper Structure
Lectures: The mode of teaching is based primarily on lectures. However, active student involvement in class, small group discussions and brainstorming sessions will be encouraged.
Seminars: There is a seminar programme that runs on alternate weeks of the semester. Students must prepare a draft reading log in advance of the seminar sessions.Assessment is 60% internal (on-going during the semester) and 40% external (final examination).
- Teaching Arrangements
2 lectures per week and a series of seminars scheduled in alternate weeks over the 13 weeks of semester.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
Suggested readings will be identified.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking,
Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper are expected to be able:
- To
demonstrate a critical understanding and evaluation of the contested and provisional
nature of
- Some of the major concerns with regard to urban issues, outcomes and processes
- Various urban planning theories and associated discourses and practices
- Some key principles and concepts that underpin urban visions and urban transformations
- To search for, retrieve and reference analytical information about urban transformation through use of academic and popular literature available in print and online sources
- To
demonstrate a critical understanding and evaluation of the contested and provisional
nature of
