Built and Sustainable Communities
Overview
This unit provides a foundation for understanding the built environment and the diverse factors influencing the sustainability of communities. It explores principles of ecologically sustainable development, urban planning and statutory frameworks, and the role of environmental health in promoting community wellbeing. Emphasis is placed on education, collaboration, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems to support the creation of resilient, inclusive, and culturally grounded communities. The unit also considers disaster and emergency management as a complementary objective in building sustainable and adaptable environments.
Requisites
02-November-2025
01-November-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify key principles of sustainable development and global frameworks, including ecological footprint, the triple bottom line, and relevant international policies
- Analyze the historical development of the built environment and its influence on public health and community wellbeing
- Evaluate environmental health risks related to air, water, noise, housing, and waste systems, and propose appropriate control measures
- Apply tools such as Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and participatory planning methods to assess and improve community sustainability
- Design strategies for integrating smart technologies, circular economy principles, and community engagement into sustainable urban planning
- Explain the role of Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices in promoting environmental health and sustainable land use
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Lecture |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On Campus Class |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Activities Various |
5.00 | 12 weeks | 60 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
4.50 | 12 weeks | 54 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video News Report | Group | 20 - 30% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Examination | Individual | 30 - 40% | 1,23,4,5,6 |
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,2,6 |
Content
- Explore key concepts such as ecological footprint, the triple bottom line, and global sustainability policies
- Trace the development of urban planning, land use strategies, and their impact on environmental health and community wellbeing.
- Introduce tools like Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and explore how urban design influences physical and mental health.
- Investigate environmental exposures, pollutants of concern, and contemporary monitoring and mitigation strategies.
- Study water-sensitive urban design, wastewater disposal standards, emergency water supplies, and regulatory frameworks.
- Consider hazard identification, public health response, and recovery strategies as part of resilient community design.
- Evaluate how digital tools and data-driven planning can support sustainability, equity, and environmental monitoring
- Explore how communities can reduce waste and resource consumption through local recycling, sharing economies, and sustainable production.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.