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Urban Futures Studio (ABPL90441)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
Semester 1 - On Campus
Semester 2 - On Campus
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This is an interdisciplinary studio-based subject that tackles practical spatial planning and environmental design issues in a real-world project. It focuses on creative analytical methods and communication skills to address urban planning and design challenges in complex socio-ecological systems. Through engagement with relevant industry stakeholders, fieldwork and empirical research, students explore a multitude of urban issues related to climate, biodiversity, circularity, health, equity, and inclusion (of both human and non-human entities as decision-making agents) to develop integrated strategies for regenerative urban futures. In this studio, students will develop systems thinking, and analytical skills for re-thinking the connections between the materiality of urban spaces, ecological entities and knowledge infrastructure. Individual self-guided work will be complemented by working in small groups of interdisciplinary teams for the development of teamwork, negotiation and leadership skills.

Intended learning outcomes

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

  • Identify social, ecological, cultural and political agents and networks of decision making in urban environments.
  • Evaluate the impact of decision making networks and processes on the spaces in urban environments.
  • Critically diagnose gaps and drivers related to urban issues to articulate points of action.
  • Propose strategic directions and timelines of actions for urban intervention.
  • Communicate narratives and proposals using creative modes of communication to reach multiple audiences.
  • Negotiate roles and tasks as part of a team to work efficiently and effectively.

Generic skills

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Research capacity and ability to synthesise and deduce from multiple sources
  • Original systems thinking in context
  • Expression of key ideas publicly and in report form
  • Written and design skills

Last updated: 19 November 2025