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Sustainable Transport and Public Policy (ABPL90056)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
September
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | September |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Quota 50
This subject explores the idea of ‘sustainability’ in application to the public policy domain of transportation. The subject takes a global view of the problem of transport with particular emphasis on transport impacts on climate change and global health, and dependence on fossil fuels, particularly oil. A dilemma is exposed between the dependence of the world economy on physical mobility and the ecological limits of fossil-fuelled transport. Sustainable urban transport, it is argued, must mean a shift from dependence on private vehicle motorized transport to transport systems with a much stronger element of active (e.g. cycling and walking) and public transport fuelled from renewable energy sources.
From the viewpoint of public policy, the subject examines barriers to sustainable transport, emphasizing the path dependency of transport policy, and explores ways of going beyond incrementalism to find paths to more fundamental or ‘third order’ change in the policy field.
The subject is delivered in seminar form with readings, lectures (and occasional guest lectures) and presentations of students’ class papers. Students are encouraged to bring their ideas and views into class discussions.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of the subject the student will be able to:
- Understand transport as a global problem, and the meaning of sustainability applied to transportation.
- Define the necessary components of sustainable transport and be able to apply these to specific cases.
- Understand the political processes and barriers involved in change of transport paradigm, and be equipped with theoretical concepts applicable to such change.
Generic skills
- Literature search and assessment
- Essay writing
- Policy analysis and interpretation
- Discussion and debating the values of transport policy in open forum
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Entry into the Melbourne School of Design or approval from the subject coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- One essay (1000 words) on a prescribed topic (sustainability), mid semester, 20%;
- One essay (4000 words) chosen from a list of topics, end of semester, 80%.
Both essays will be presented and discussed in class.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- September
Principal coordinator John Stone Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 September 2017 to 13 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 18 September 2017 Census date 6 October 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 October 2017 Assessment period ends 31 October 2017 September contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Quota 50
Selection criteria: Students will be selected into the subject as they self-enrol during the timely re-enrolment period. Anyone enrolling after the quota has been reached will be notified by the Student Centre and advised of the alternative subjects available
(at least one week prior to the start of teaching).
For detailed information on the quota subject application process and due dates, refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage: http://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Low N.P. ed (2013) Transforming Urban Transport, The Ethics, Politics and Practices of Sustainable Transport, (London and New York: Earthscan/Routledge).
Curtis, C. and Low, N.P. (2012) Institutional Barriers to Sustainable Transport (Farnham, UK: Ashgate).
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
This subject has a Quota and priority will be given to UoM students
Last updated: 3 November 2022