Urban Futures and Parametric Cities

General Information

In Urban Futures + Parametric Cities, students will investigate design speculations for master planning strategies for urban built form utilising digital platforms with a focus on social, cultural and environmental outcomes. A comparative analysis with an emphasis on density, form, scale, public space, access, climate, history, typology and geographical determinants of a particular global city will be undertaken to inform creative speculations. Lectures and presentations will expose students to a range of cities, comparing and contrasting their design characteristics. Algorithmic tools will be used to examine and evaluate different variables to understand their implications for city design.

Students will work individually and in teams through workshops and exercises to develop content awareness and application.

  • Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design
    Subject code: ARCH71-134
    Subject title: Urban Futures and Parametric Cities
    Subject level: Undergraduate
    Semester/Year: May 2024
    Credit points: 10.000
  • Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable
    Delivery mode: Standard
    Workload items:
    • Studio: x12 (Total hours: 36) - Weekly studio-led exercises
    • Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Personal project work
    Attendance and learning activities: 80% attendance required to allow for contribution to team based exercises and evaluation of progress.
  • Prescribed resources:

    Books

    • David Sim (2019). Soft City. n/a, Island Press 257

    Others

    After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.
    iLearn@Bond & Email:

    iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.

    Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.

    To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design
Subject code: ARCH71-134
Subject title: Urban Futures and Parametric Cities
Subject level: Undergraduate
Semester/Year: May 2024
Credit points: 10.000

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Assumed Prior Learning (or equivalent):

Assumes experience and familiarity in using Rhino software or equivalent including the Grasshopper plug-in, as delivered in Subtractive Fabrication Lab or equivalent experience; AND Assumes knowledge and design ability equivalent to that acquired through 1st year design studios (Creative Design Studios in Jan/May/Sept)
Restrictions:

Nil

Assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.

At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.

Find your program

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

  1. Develop an understanding of cities and urban form, their morphology, scale, components, and interactions and the reasons for differences between urban conditions and a methodology for conceiving of architectural and urban design activity through research, application of urban design theory and analysis.
  2. Develop an appreciation of the social, cultural, historical, environmental, economic and political diversity of cities associated with global urbanisation, as the context within which design should be produced.
  3. Demonstrate understanding and application of parametric design methods for people focused cities, urban design and form, planning and transport systems.
  4. Develop verbal presentation skills combined with 2D and 3D communication techniques
  5. Ability to work collaboratively and contribute constructively to a team environment.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.

  • Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
    Creative Project§ Analysis and representation of urban study. 40.00% Week 7 1,2,3,4,5
    Creative Project§ Algorithmic speculation of parametric variables tested in an urban context, verbal group presentation with individual progress booklet. 60.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5
    • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
    • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
    • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

  • Assessment criteria

    High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking.
    Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas.
    Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above.
    Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment.
    Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines.

    Quality assurance

    For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.

Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
Creative Project§ Analysis and representation of urban study. 40.00% Week 7 1,2,3,4,5
Creative Project§ Algorithmic speculation of parametric variables tested in an urban context, verbal group presentation with individual progress booklet. 60.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5
  • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
  • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
  • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

Study Information

Submission procedures

Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.

Policy on late submission and extensions

A student who has not established a basis for an extension in compliance with University and Faculty policy either by 1) not applying before the assessment due date or 2) by having an application rejected due to failure to show a justifiable cause for an extension, will receive a penalty on assessment submitted after its due date. The penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment for every day late, with the first day counted after the required submission time has passed. No assessment will be accepted for consideration seven calendar days after the due date. Where a student has been granted an extension, the late penalty starts from the new due date and time set out in the extension.

Academic Integrity

Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.

Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.

If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.

Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).

As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.

For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.

Additional subject information

Subject curriculum

Approved on: Mar 5, 2024. Edition: 1.6
Last updated: Mar 25, 2024