Urban Informatics and Modelling

ARC70005 12.5 Credit Points Hawthorn

On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge
Proficiency in citation management software such as Endnote or Mendeley.

Aims and objectives

This unit examines cities using digital data, information, knowledge and models to understand trends and complexities in order to inform the evaluation and formulation of sustainable and liveable urban futures. Students explore cognitive, technical and creative skills to evaluate complex urban concepts, analyse and synthesise complex information, and apply established and emerging theories of cities. The unit draws from a range of ‘big data’ sources including geographic and spatial data; government data including census and open data; social media data and sensor data to develop skills for accessing, processes, visualising and synthesising this data to inform urban policy and design decision making.

Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Develop and apply planning knowledge to identify problems, devise ways to investigate and solve these problems drawing on research-based evidence
2. Use relevant technical tools for data collection, analysis and mapping, and use quantitative analysis methods including spatial mapping to analyse data and to communicate its relevance and any shortcomings of findings.
3. Gather qualitative and quantitative data relevant to different planning circumstances including global trends and emerging issues, with knowledge of the main sources of information about communities, including census, survey data, and spatial data.
4. Interpret sustainable development, ecological systems, resilience and issues including climate change.
5. Recognise social and cultural diversity and the capacity to assess the equity, health and social inclusion aspects of urban and regional plans and practices.
6. Analyse transport, land use and the principles of transport planning and modelling to critique plans and design proposals, according to sustainable transport planning principles.
7. Develop knowledge-capture approaches and related technical skills.