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Informal Settlement (ABPL90425)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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Informal settlement is a process of citizen-driven architecture, urban design and planning that has become the primary form of urban development in cities of the global South. It is a mode of urban production that operates without state authorization yet always in complex relations with formal state control. This subject will provide an introduction to the theories and practices of informal settlement together with a critique of various modes of professional engagement with the challenges of upgrading substandard conditions. The class will engage with the following questions and issues:

  • where do informal settlements emerge in relation to the formal city and why?
  • How are informal settlements designed and planned in terms of street/laneway networks, building typologies, density, functional mix and public space?
  • How are informal settlement practices and forms geared to the livelihoods of the urban poor in terms of informal transport and street trading?
  • How does informal settlement relate to sub-standard outcomes including tenure insecurity, services, overcrowding and overdevelopment.
  • What professional engagements with upgrading and redevelopment practices are possible.

This is a fundamentally interdisciplinary subject that connects architecture, urban design and planning with landscape, property and construction. There will be scope for students to explore disciplinary specific topics within the subject.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Think critically about theories and practices of informal settlement in a global context
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the architectural, urban design and planning practices of informal settlement.
  • Apply such understanding in critical and innovative forms of development practice .

Generic skills

  • On completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate advanced skills in: Urban mapping and spatial analysis
  • Essay writing
  • Verbal presentation

Last updated: 31 January 2024

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-ARCHUP Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Planning
  • MC-ARCHUD Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Design
  • MC-PROPUP Master of Property/Master of Urban Planning
  • MC-LARCHUD Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Urban Design
  • MC-LARCHUP Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Urban Planning
  • MC-ARCPROP Master of Architecture/Master of Property
  • MC-CM Master of Construction Management
  • MC-ARCHCM Master of Architecture/Master of Construction Management
  • MC-CMPROP Master of Construction Management/Master of Property

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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two literature reviews and Journal : 1000 words worth 20% due week 7, 1500 words worth 30% due week 12

  • 2500 words
Week 7 and Week 12 50%

Case Studies

  • 1000 words
From Week 8 to Week 1220%

Case study

  • 1500 words
End of semester30%

Class attendance

Hurdle requirement: 80% class attendance		N/A

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorKim Dovey
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1X3 hour seminar per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 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 ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    Subject coordinator

    Kim Dovey

    Email: dovey@unimelb.edu.au

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.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024