GES3230

Sustainable cities

Associate Professor Kevin O'Connor, Associate Professor David Mercer, Professor Chris Cocklin and Associate Professor Katherine Gibson

8 points - 3 hours per week (2 one-hour lectures, one-hour tutorial) - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: Any second-year human geography subject, or permission of the head of department

Objectives Upon completion of this subject students will be able to describe the factors that influence each of the social, economic and environment dimensions of sustainability in the context of cities; explain the major economic and political drivers that contribute to urban development; explain how the social and environmental conditions are affected by patterns of physical and infrastructural development; describe and analyse the implications of alternative forms of urban development with reference to the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability; and utilise geographic research skills relevant to sustainability in an urban context.

Synopsis The aim of this subject is to identify, describe and interpret the concept of sustainability in the context of cities in developed and developing nations. The subject will involve an analysis of the economic and physical dimensions of sustainability concentrating upon issues such as transport, energy, waste disposal, water use, along with social and political aspects including equity, social polarisation, community development and institutional capacity. These approaches will be integrated in a final section that reviews approaches to urban planning that have begun to address sustainability. The subject will provide evidence of the various and often contrasting ways in which the concept of sustainability is used, interpreted and explained, and will illustrate the way sustainability is incorporated in public policy, with particular reference to outcomes in Melbourne.

Assessment Essay (2000 words): 40% - Examination (2 hours): 40% - Practical/tutorial work (1000 words): 20%

Prescribed texts

Redclift M Wasted. Counting the costs of global consumption Earthscan, 1996
Roseland M (ed.) Eco-city dimensions New Society Publishers, 1997

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