Sustainable Urban Systems aims to provide up-to-date and research-led courses to master students who are interested in urban sustainability. Urbanization is one of the major social transformations of our time that has profound impacts on people and the planet. Cities play an increasingly critical role in local, regional and global sustainability, presenting enormous challenges but also a window of opportunity to "get it right". Future leaders and urban practitioners will benefit from this course by learning leading-edge research to understand the opportunities and challenges in our "urban century."

The course will invite leading experts and urban practitioners to share their ongoing research and best showcases and engage students in the discussion of a range of cutting-edge topics on urban sustainability transition locally and internationally. You will be inspired to creatively apply this knowledge to your concerned issues, including future research direction, policy development, and urban management.

The course is strongly interdisciplinary, and the theme topics include but are not limited to urban environmental governance, urban sustainability, systems innovation and transition, urban health, global frontrunner cities in urban low-carbon transition, nature-based solutions, urban energy policies, and urban metabolism.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify and illustrate the state, drivers and impacts of global urbanization, and the role of cities in global sustainability
2. Integrate and apply the multiple conceptual perspectives of urban systems.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in managing and governing real world cities, and develop capacity to identify and enable innovative and successful practices in cities.
4. Discuss and demonstrate sustainability solutions of cities, using appropriate associated concepts.
5. Interpret the implications of current research and communicate the insights to stakeholders.

Research-Led Teaching

This is a research-led course that reflects the state-of-the-art understandings on a range of multi- and inter-disciplinary topics related to urbanization and urban system sustainability. The most up-to-date scholarly articles published in international journals will be the main required reading. The course will be delivered as a 3-hour session, with the first hour typically devoted to a short lecture and Q&A session, followed by 2 hours of workshops and group discussions. The lectures will mainly draw on the multidisciplinary expertise of urban scholars across ANU, as well as the practical experience of policymakers and practitioners in this space.

Additional teaching components are embedded to help students understand how to conduct social science research on urban sustainability topic. The convener will guide the students through the preparation, conduction, and writing of your essay, providing an opportunity for hands-on research experience.

Field Trips

Please see the College of Science - Field Trip page for more information.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction: Course content, purpose, organization, and discussion of assignments.Main lecture: Global Urbanization – past, present, and future Discussion: Report "Sustainable Cities and Regions: 2024 Update"	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
2	Guest lecture: Cities in global sustainabilityGuest lecture: Case study of cities in sustainability transition	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
3	Main lecture: Understanding urban systemsGuest lecture: Urban energy system transition	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
4	Guest lecture: Urban metabolismGuest lecture: the ACT waste management	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
5	Guest lecture: Urban air pollution and healthFieldwork: Canberra e-bike library	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, fieldwork, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
6	Main lecture: Social tipping points and urban sustainability transitionGuest lecture: Clean energy transition in AustraliaDiscussion: How to plan a research proposal	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
7	Guest lecture: Nature-based solutionsStudent presentation: Research proposal	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussionIndividual assessment of research proposal
8	Main lecture: Urban governance – vertical linkage between national and local policiesGuest lecture: Role of businesses in the ACT's zero emission transition	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
9	Main lecture: Urban sustainability experiments, innovation and transitionGuest lecture: Role of grass root organizations in the ACT's zero emission transition	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
10	Guest lecture: ACT zero-emission transitionFeedback on the essay outline	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussionIndividual assessment of the essay outline
11	Guest lecture: Sydney environmental strategy 2021-2025Discussion: How to write an essay in a structural way	Assessment: Reflection on guest lecture, group discussion, and individual contribution to the discussion
12	Guest lecture: Case studies of urban sustainability governanceRecap and the Future of Cities	Final essay, submission on Friday by 5 pm

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Weekly writing reflection	30 %	*	*	1,3,4
Research proposal	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Essay outline	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Final essay	50 %	31/10/2024	22/11/2024	1,2,3,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly writing reflection

Write a reflection on weekly activities in class, including guest lectures or fieldwork (where applicable), group discussions, and individual contributions to the group discussions. Each reflection should be no more than 500 words; otherwise, a penalty will be applied. You need to submit ten reflections over 12 weeks, and each reflection is worth 3% of your final grade.

Due: This reflection should be submitted by 12 pm Sunday, after teaching sessions on Thursday.

Return date: Before 12 pm every Wednesday 

Assessment Task 2

Research proposal

Prepare your research proposal in the form of slides and present it at the workshop in Week 7. In the proposal, you need to briefly introduce your case study, clearly articulate the research questions, describe the method, outline the data collection approach (document review, interview, or survey), include interview questions or a sample survey, state the expected outcomes, and discuss the significance of your research. In-class feedback will be provided to guide your improvement, data collection, and analysis.

Due: Presentation at the workshop in week 7 

Return date: 12 pm Wednesday of week 8

Assessment Task 3

Essay outline

Submit your essay outline in Word format and present it at the workshop in Week 10. The essay outline should include a brief summary for each section (not substantial writing) to articulate the key points. The outline should also include an update on the initial data collection. In-class feedback will be provided to guide your improvement in essay structure, analysis, and writing.

Due: Presentation at the workshop in week 10

Return date: 12 pm Wednesday of week 11

Assessment Task 4

Final essay

Write an essay on the sustainability challenges or practices of a chosen city (City X).

Your essay must include:

1. A clear identification of the chosen city.
2. A discussion of the general sustainability challenges the city faces, relating these to the specific sustainability issue you study in-depth.
3. An analysis of the motivations behind the city's sustainability practices, the difficulties encountered, and the outcomes achieved.
4. A synthesis of your understanding of the class readings, incorporating at least one analytical or theoretical framework to organize your discussion.
5. Use both first-hand and second-hand data to substantiate your arguments.

Due: on Thursday 31 October by 5 pm

Return date: Friday 22 November

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students