Urban Informatics (ABPL90366)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2018

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Overview

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Urban Informatics is the study of cities using digital data, information, knowledge and models to understand trends, complexities and inform the formulation and evaluation of sustainable urban futures.

This subject aims to arm the student with the necessary fundamental concepts and practical understanding of the rise of the Smart City and how urban informatics can assist in evidenced-based and collaborative decision-making.

The new science of cities (Batty, 2013) is driven by the deluge of data that enables the mapping of the Smart City and new geographies that can be explored, analysed and synthesized. Planners, geographers, urban designers, landscape architects, spatial scientists and other disciplines interest in the urban settlements require a deeper knowledge of digital data and how to access, interrogate, visualize and synthesis such data to realise the vision of the smart and sustainable city.

This subject utilises the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) portal as an e-learning resource for exploring what is possible in emerging in the new discipline of urban informatics. Students will also be exposed to a range of other complementary digital environments including open data repositories, urban modelling and visualisation tools and open source geospatial information technologies.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:



  • Recall the basic concepts and theory of urban informatics, GIS, modelling and visualisation
  • Recall the origin and development of smart cities
  • Identify and source available data resources being made available through open government data initiatives
  • Use online data portals and open source analytical tools to understand human settlement patterns
  • Operate the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) Portal for conducting urban analysis
  • Conduct spatial-statistical analysis of data comprising Australian cities
  • Conduct thematic mapping of census and other aggregate datasets
  • Experiment with visual analytic techniques to explore trends in urban data
  • Prepare reports and presentations that use complex urban data to interpret socio-economic and physical changes in cities.
  • Synthesize fine scale city data to support urban planning and design at the precinct level.

Generic skills

Spatial analysis, data visualisation.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Understanding of digital data, spatial information and related geographical information sciences would be advantageous.

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

  • Completion of 4 tutorial exercises (equivalent 2,000 words) due two weeks after the final day of teaching (40%);
  • Collaborative Research Project part I – Oral presentation. 4 students per group with individual student contribution (equivalent 1,000 words). Oral presentation due 4 weeks after the final day of teaching (20%);
  • Collaborative Research Project part II – 8,000 word report. 4 students per group with individual student contribution (equivalent 2,000 words). Report due 8 weeks after final day of teaching (40%).

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

Not available in 2018

Time commitment details

170 hours

Additional delivery details

Quota 50

Students may provisionally enroll via the Student Portal, but places are not guaranteed until selection is completed. You will be notified in writing by the Student Centre if you are selected.

Selection criteria: Selection will be based upon academic merit.

For detailed information on the quota subject application process and due dates, refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022