Urban Dynamics Assignment 4

Assignment 3 (1000 words) Case study field excursion notes due on 5.00 pm Friday 29 May

Assignment 4 (4000 words) Urban Change Case study-based Report due on 5.00 pm Monday 12 June

Aim: 

The aim of this pair of assignments is for you to: a) demonstrate your comprehension of urban dynamics, and b) to practice, refine then demonstrate your capacity to collect, observe, analyse, distil and present relevant information in written and graphic forms. 

The initial field excursion notes (i.e. assignment 3) will provide a record of your early observations, capturing the freshness of initial impressions and ensuring a body of resources, withoutrequiring you to refine this or self‐ censor the raw materials generated from the field excursion. 

The case study report(i.e. assignment 4) will be a document that summarises your analysis and understanding of an urban setting under investigation, and conveys what you have identified as its 'essence' or reason for being in the city. As an element of assignment 4 you may need to identify current urban change issues and anticipated forward challenges and opportunities your case study may be facing, along with suggestions for how this might be progressed t0 planning and implementation. 

This is NOT a design exercise for the preparation of an actual plan forthe urban setting, or to design elements into it. The report is primarily for 'clarifying the components' (see below) based on a systematic assessment of the urban setting, its current structure, issues, options and opportunities. It should provide a suitable basis that could inform the preparation of a plan. 

This assignment is to be undertaken for Campus students as a group assignment and for Cloud (online) students it may be undertaken as an individual assignment. Note it is recommended that Cloud (online) students attend the field excursion session. I do, however, understand some of you may not be able to attend. 

Group work (for Campus students) provides a team environment that is common in professional practice, enabling debate, discussion of options and opinions, and resolution toward a shared position. It also facilitates some interchange between skill sets and can provide access to a wider pool of expertise. 

Tasks: 

Assignment 3 (individual work): Field excursion notes & materials 

During and closely following the Field excursion Day (Friday 22 May), assemble field notes and materials that can assist you in the preparation of the Case Study report required for Assignment 4. This may include returning to the locality or utilising virtual access and researching relevantinformation from multiple sources. 

Collate a selection of your materials from the field excursion day (which may include your notes, sketches, illustrations, lists of potential references and resources) and scan these as a PDF to submit. You are not required to submit all your material, but try to include a sample cross‐section. (Cloud (online) students not able to attend the field excursion day please refer to the note below.) 

This assignment is equivalent to 1000 words and worth 10% of the marks for this unit, based on individual field excursion materials.    

Assignment 4: Urban change case study report 

Form a group of 2‐3 students (3 preferred)to work as a team to produce a report on a subject urban setting of your own choice. Itis desirable if you can teamupwith others who have a variety of background studies and experience, replicating a cross‐disciplinary team common in professional practice. (Students who were unable to attend the Field ExcursionDay (e.g. CloudDeakin/online students) may work individually, or as a group with others who were not able to attend, utilising a suitable alternative location.) 

Each individual should contribute 4,000 words (±10% ) to the report ‐ please provide a word count at the start of the report. This assignment is worth 40% of the marks for this unit. 

NOTE: Students unable to participate in Field ExcursionDay 

Students who are unable to attend the field excursion day in Melbourne's CBD on 22 May are to select a suitable alternative locality that is undergoing or has undergone rapid urban change. A student in this situation is to conduct one's own investigation and submitfield notes reflecting study in this urban 'change' (i.e. assignment 3) and an individual case study report (i.e. assignment 4) consistent with the assignment that is described. Alternatively, a student may join a group with others unable to attend the field excursion. If Cloud (online) students wish to pursue a group please contact Dr. Beza and he will announce to the other cloud (online)students so that a group may be potentially formed. 

Continued… 

Topic 

Assignment 3 

During the Field excursion Day on 22 May, take notes, photographs, make sketches and collect other information and resources that can be reflected on in preparation of the full case study report. 

Assignment 4 

Working as a group of two – three, or if a CloudDeakin/online student one may work independently, to assemble a case study report. 

The report should contain the following components: 

∙ Identification of an urban setting/site (of one's choice) that is in the process or has the potential for change**. 

∙ A concise reflection of the physical and historic context of the urban setting underinvestigation. ∙ A review of the current policy context that effects this setting and its development. This can be reflected at a general level, and should not constrain your expression of the issues, challenges, opportunities and constraints that you identify. 

∙ Graphic and text based analysis of the key components of the urban setting, including the elements that you believe constitute the underlying 'essence' of the place. 

∙ Articulation of the issues that you believe are confronting the urban setting, concentrating particularly on land use and spatial aspects, but not excluding other issues that have implications for spatial decision‐making. 

∙ Opportunities and constraints: identify physical and perceptual aspects of the urban setting, its layout, functioning and governance that may assist or inhibit the resolution of identified issues. ∙ Suggestions about techniques and processes that should be pursued to develop a 'direction' for the locality and suggested mechanisms forthe subsequent implementation of the setting's envisioned 'direction'. [Remember, this report is not expected to BE a plan, but is to provide an informed analysis of issues and opportunities that can inform and assist a plan‐making.] 

∙ Provide some concluding observations that highlight what you identify as the key issue(s) and opportunities to be addressed along with your suggestion(s) for a processes to prepare a plan and implementation strategy (i.e. plan‐making) addressing your findings. 

The report should include concentrated consideration of the land and related issues within 400 metres (or 5min. walk)  ofthe urban setting underinvestigation. The report should address circumstances such as land ownership status, the existing uses, heritage or character considerations, the relative location of key activities (and the potential location of different activities and/or key facilities). The report should not ignore the surrounding locality, but may give receding levels of detail further from the point of focus. 

The report should be produced in more of an essay format and may contain list of points, tables, diagrams, illustration and other formats that assist in succinctly conveying information (howeverthe meaning of abbreviate text should be clear). 

Hints: 

1. Please refrain from reproducing slabs of generic information (such as local histories, or population information relating to the wider locality or municipality). Data from such sources should be interrogated to identify relevant trends or information specific to the issues you identify. You are expected to 'value add'to source materials through identifying relevant elements, or combining information from multiple sources. 
2. Understanding of an urban setting can be enhanced by drawing maps and diagrams to explain how itformed and how itfunctions, the elements that are important over the 'background noise'. Try sketching maps, such as tracing paper over hard copy map sheets, or electronically drawing over base maps, such as those available through the Land Channel (http://www.land.vic.gov.au/), if the selected urban setting is in the State of Victoria. The drawing and re‐drawing of maps can often reveal details or patterns that may not be evident at first inspection. Allow yourself to explore and experiment in seeking to understand the place and how it works. 

**Examples of urban settings (i.e. sites) that have the potential to change and/or have undergone change: ∙ Federation Sq.; see S/E corner of Swanston St. and Flinders St. 

∙ Federation sq. East; which is bounded by Russell St., Flinders St., Batman Ave. and Birrarung Marr (Melway ref. H‐J/5). 

∙ QV Melbourne: http://www.qv.com.au/#!/pages/about‐qv 

∙ Melbourne Central. 

∙ Deakin University Waterfront Campus.

INTRODUCTION

Budding from the series of urban challenges and weaknesses there was a need to transform the city into sustainable, workable and liveable place. The challenges in the city of Melbourne include a change in climate, globalization, economic restructuring and resource depletion. This report focuses on developments that occurred in Melbourne to deal with issues of climate change. It is predicted that from 2030-2050, due to the change in climate there will be a scarcity of water (Sepe, 2010). So, Melbourne has made various developments in their sites where potable water is used for different purposes that can be substituted with non-potable water. The two sites discussed are Carlton United Brewery and Queen Victoria Market. This assignment further explains the issues that can come up in confronting the urban setting. Melbourne has long-term plans that outline their vision for the future and their own way to a sustainable future that addresses both local conditions and global context. Urban challenges have lots of complexities associated with it. This assignment considers all the aspects of urban dynamics and change in Melbourne. The city is following different methods to deal with issues of water shortage that will come up. Planning is done so that issues related to drought can be looked upon and hence resolved. Different approaches are followed to plan a new urban development in the city to further increase its effectiveness. 

FOCUS AREA

Due to the changing climate, there were bursts of rainfall. To minimize the risk of floods, it is necessary to ensure that the right type of water is used for the right purpose. The city needs to be cleaner in planning its design likewise. In 2014, the strategy for building existing knowledge and successes addressed in the following areas:

• Need for water to live: This water is the one that is required to support wellbeing and health of people and focus on the enjoyment of people who work, live and play in Melbourne.

• Need of water for the environment: This is the water used for biodiversity, clean waterways, and healthy public open spaces.

• Water use: This is the water that is fit for drinking and hence improves the sustainability of the water supply system in Melbourne.

Adaptation to changing climate and floods: Focus on building Melbourne a city that is safe and well reformed to the present and future conditions of weather.