Environment Behavior Methods for Design (ABPL90417)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Environment/Behaviour Methods for Design examines a range of research methods and methodologies that designers can use to inform their design thinking. This subject is geared to planning and design students who want to learn E/B research field methods and their application for use in their studies (e.g. site analysis, thesis research) and later professional work. Students studying landscape architecture, urban design and planning will benefit from the tool box of evidence-based environment behaviour (EB) methods covered in this subject in which they learn how to use the various methods to study how people, and groups of people, use, perceive and think about built urban spaces to inform their design and planning decision-making. Methods covered in this subject are primary those derived from environmental psychological, which have been developed over many years for addressing a range of environment behaviour research questions. Students will develop a working knowledge of these various research methods and their applications, with a focus on urban environments and their users’ needs and preferences. The subject encompasses lectures, case studies, readings and individual projects and includes, but is not limited to, exploring methods for behavioural mapping and systematic observation of spaces, measuring responses to visual stimuli, user surveys and interviews and a wide range of other useful methods, both qualitative and quantitively, that can be used to explore human/environment interactions within the context of real-world urban environments. Methods for collection and analysis of data, representing the findings and their translation into design decision-making are also covered.
Intended learning outcomes
- Use of environment/behaviour (E/B) data collection field methods
- Analyse of data collected using E/B field methods
- Design and planning research methodologies
- Communicate E/R research findings
- Critical review of published E/B research
- Use of E/B research results to inform design and planning thinking
Generic skills
- critical reading, thinking and analysis
- seeking, evaluating and retrieving information
- Skills in the use of environment/behaviour research methods
- Comprehension of complex environment/behaviour concepts
- Ability to express research findings in writing, orally and graphically
- Ability to work individually and in groups.
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into one of the following:
- MC-LARCH Master of Landscape Architecture
- MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning
- MC-URBDES Master of Urban Design
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: 8 November 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Written assignment (individual task), critical review of peer reviewed journal articles that describe the use of E/B research methods that have been, or could be, used for environmental design and planning practice and research
| Week 6 | 30% |
Individual task to produce a written and graphic poster (A1 format) of a proposed research methodology illustrating the use of at least three E/B research methods, how data would be collected and analysed, how the methods work together to address specific research/study questions, the expected findings and how they can inform environmental design and planning actions of a designed study site environment.
| Week 12 | 70% |
Last updated: 8 November 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Ray Green Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1X2 hour lecture and 1X1 hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
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Last updated: 8 November 2024
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 8 November 2024