Course syllabus for Urban space and functions

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-17 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTätorters funktioner och utformning
  • CodeBOM210
  • Credits6 Credits
  • OwnerTISAM
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • ThemeMTS 3 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 61128
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0115 Project 3 c
Grading: TH
0 c0 c3 c0 c0 c0 c
0215 Intermediate test 3 c
Grading: TH
0 c0 c3 c0 c0 c0 c
  • Contact examiner
  • 04 Jun 2024 pm J
  • 21 Aug 2024 pm J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

BOM205 Buildings functions and design

Aim

The course will provide the knowledge base in the the subject area Urban Planning and Infrastructure. It covers the built environment and technical systems in urban areas and is based on a learning progression to provide a broader understanding of the socio-technical systems, with urban district or city as system boundary. It aims to give a professional-oriented insight on how socio-technical systems work and can be planned through a case study.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Describe the objects, systems and actors relevant to urban planning, including the roles of engineers and the forms of collaboration. 
- Describe the planning, construction and operation of urban developments and technical systems, and their relation to the engineering process. 
- Describe the most important rules, norms, laws and policies applicable in urban planning, infrastructure development and environment. 
- Describe the different types of urban typologies, and explain how urban sprawl and densification affect infrastructure planning. 
- Describe the most important urban infrastructures (energy, transportation, water and wastewater, waste management and the urban environment) and their role and consequences in society.
- Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of urban development and infrastructure from a sustainability perspective, where social and equality aspects, economic aspects and environmental and work environment aspects are differentiated and integrated.
- Plan for temporal and spatial changes in socio-technical systems, and explain the significance of this for the sustainability of the built environment. 
- Describe in general terms the city's water and wastewater systems and explain how to plan sustainable water supply and sewerage in the built environment. 
- Describe in general terms how to plan mobility and transport in the city, and explain how different choices of transport infrastructure affects mobility and access to services. 
- Evaluate in a simplified manner how traffic noise and ground vibrations from transportation affect human health and wellbeing and their implications for urban planning. 
- Describe in general terms the city's waste systems and explain how to design sustainable waste management in the built environment. 
- Motivate the importance of reducing CO2 emissions and suggest climate adaptation measures for the built environment.
- Consider general ethical issues in urban planning and construction, e.g. cost vs. sustainable technologies. 
- Read and use technical texts and scholarly articles in a conscious, critical and effective manner. 
- Sift through, collate and summarize the information gathered, and explain and describe the subject content. 
- Know the basic communication factors and adapt these to oral and written communication situations. 
- Introduce and clearly explain a subject in way which is adapted to the communication situation.
- Describe factors for teamwork in a diverse group and evaluate one's own effort with focus on equality, inclusion and diversity.

Content

The course is planned as a case study with supporting lectures. The case study, which is based on an existing area in the Gothenburg region, will provide an opportunity to develop basic skills needed for the development and operation of urban infrastructure and systems. The lectures aim to provide basic knowledge relevant to urban planning and infrastructures in urban areas. Sustainable development is a central aspect of city planning and a motivation for change; it is therefore an important part of the course.

The main language of the course is English. Parts of the course and course literature are in Swedish.

Organisation

The course is given by researchers and lecturers at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Relevant stakeholders will participate in lectures and project work. The area is part of an international research program and the course has links to research at a number of European universities.

The course consists of the following learning activities:
- An introduction to the course and case study.
- Lectures (either directly or online) on relevant themes, e.g. planning, water, transportation.
- A group project presented in the form of posters at a final event.
- An integrated communication input that includes information retrieval, technical language aspects and planning of poster and oral presentation. This input is supported by the Department of Language and Communication.

Literature

The course uses online material, such as relevant reports from municipalities. Information on the case study area will be provided. Search tools and online information will be used.

Examination including compulsory elements

To pass the course students are required to attend all lectures and events, pass the intermediate test and participate in the presentation of the group work.

The intermediate test consists of specific questions designed to examine the general knowledge and specific knowledge of various urban functions and infrastructures described in the lectures, as well as examine the ability to synthesize and reflect on this knowledge.

The group work aims to synthesize and reflect on the knowledge given in the course. The group work, as well as the information and communication part, are examined in the final poster presentation.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.