Flexible Urban Modelling (ABPL90304)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
| Fees | Look up fees |
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This elective focuses on integration of geospatial data into iterative, procedural, rapid, large-scale design modelling, using a range of emerging tools including GIS, 3D modelling, CIM (Civil Information Models) and associated scripts and plugins. In this subject you will develop methods to model and interact with complex built form, difficult terrains and integrate social, environmental, and ecological data into your design decision-making.
This subject offers an opportunity to build upon prior skills and interest in areas such as biomorphic form making, 3D printing, photogrammetry, agent-based simulation, particle systems, material networks, online mapping, GIS analysis, motion graphics and performance-based design. It is recommended for students of urban design, landscape architecture, and architecture.
Prescribed software programs with no cost
Autodesk Civil 3D
Autodesk 3Ds Max
QGIS (Opensource)
Prescribed software programs with a cost
Chaos Group Vray
Prescribed software tools
Layout software
Details of software availability and pricing are captured at: https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/student-experience/it-support
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Understand the strengths and limitations of working between GIS based data and cartesian modelling environments.
- Understand a range of possibilities for spatial data to inform design decisions and design modelling.
- Engage with and apply a variety of emerging spatial modelling technologies to address design objectives in both complex existing conditions and to future climate, density and transport projections.
- Develop practical, rapid and refined, knowledge capture and presentation techniques for design communication and design modelling, including visualising data in online map platforms.
Generic skills
- Develop complex file management protocols and data transition techniques between a range of software platforms.
- Develop familiarity with online platforms for urban and ecological data acquisition.
- Develop and apply computational thinking skills to address spatial design problems.
- Develop and apply time-saving modelling techniques.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning
- MC-URBDES Master of Urban Design
- MC-ARCH Master of Architecture
- MC-LARCH Master of Landscape Architecture
- MC-PROPUP Master of Property/Master of Urban Planning
- MC-CM Master of Construction Management
- MC-UPUD Master of Urban Planning/Master of Urban Design
- MC-ARCHUP Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Planning
- MC-LARCHUD Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Urban Design
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Basic digital skills and 3D Max 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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
How to guide
| Week 6 | 20% |
Design research project poster or video
| Week 11 | 30% |
Video Workflows
| Week 12 | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Quota: 22
This subject has an automated quota. Your enrolment confirms your space in this subject. If you choose to withdraw from this subject you will be forfeiting your space and may be unable to enrol again. Please check the Handbook for more information. For detailed information on quota subjects and due dates, please refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage.
Selection Criteria: selection will be run on a first-come, first-served basis.
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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
Incidental costs:
You will predominantly use Autodesk software’s 3ds Max and AutoCAD which is available free to students https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/featured
Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) is also free software, and can be downloaded using the following instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q61LSk9n3U8&list=PLxhO2rXtBrKEwCHRYXXs8aQ3SswxXOTR8&index=2&t=0s
Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) can be purchased on monthly basis.
Most other plugins and scripts are available free though we are also in the process of sourcing / negotiating home licences for others for which the university has licences.
Subject note: In 2020, this subject will be taught online. To allow for this you will need the following:
A PC (Window Operating System) desktop/laptop that complies with the MSD recommendations with a webcam, headphone and microphone please refer: https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/student-experience/it-support
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025