Urbanisation Process: Urban Systems and Morphology
Code: 106942Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Smart and Sustainable Cities | OB | 2 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Aina Pedret Santos
- Email :
- aina.pedret@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Minimum requirement:
Understanding of the Catalan language and expression and writing in the Catalan or Spanish language. The subject has a strong participation evaluation component and oral presentation, so it is a requirement to have a good level of expression and writing in Catalan or Spanish.
Objectives
The subject represents another step in the training of students in geography and urban dynamics. It was born with the desire to deepen some of the contents introduced in the 1st Year subjects 'Introduction to the contemporary city' and 'Demography, society and economy', as well as to deal with new ones.
The subject will provide students with elements for understanding and analyzing the dynamics of the urbanization process. The topic will be approached from two points of view, corresponding to several levels of scale: the urban system and the urban morphology, interrelated through the concept of network.
These are the major axes on which the subject is structured:
- Definition and delimitation of the city through the various methods available: institutional, morphological, functional, economic structure, hierarchy of services, ways of life, etc.
- Urban morphology: urban plots and their constituent elements.
- Urban land income, as an essential element for the configuration of urban spaces and as a condition of the economy and urban society, including the distribution of social groups over the territory.
- Urban resilience. Challenges of the urbanization process and innovative approaches.
- Urban systems. Integration, interrelation and interdependence at the various levels of scale: metropolitan, regional, continental and planetary.
Learning outcomes
- CM08 (Distinguish factors of urban injustice and inequality in the study of urban dynamics and establish actions to correct them.) Distinguish factors of urban injustice and inequality in the study of urban dynamics and establish actions to correct them.
- KM11 (Analyse behaviours, flows, networks and forms of urban life at various geographical scales.) Analyse behaviours, flows, networks and forms of urban life at various geographical scales.
- SM10 (Use basic programming structures (web, mobile, cloud) to solve simple problems related to the management of cities, developing computer applications in web environments taking into account their structure, the interrelation of server components and the steps followed in the management of information.) Use basic programming structures (web, mobile, cloud) to solve simple problems related to the management of cities, developing computer applications in web environments taking into account their structure, the interrelation of server components and the steps followed in the management of information.
Contents
During the course, work will be based on this general program:
1. Definition and delimitation of the city.
2. Urban morphology: urban plots and their constituent elements.
3. Land rent, segregation and gentrification.
4. Urban resilience. Urban challenges and innovative approaches.
5. Urban systems and governance: integration, interrelationship and interdependence in a multiscalar system.
At the beginning of the course, the detailed program by session will be provided.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realization of the memory of field work | 9 | 0.36 | |
| Realization of the research poster | 27 | 1.08 | |
| Directed practical classes | 9 | 0.36 | |
| Guided theoretical classes | 23 | 0.92 | |
| Work field | 9 | 0.36 | |
| Individual or small group tutoring | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Readings and preparation of written tests | 30 | 1.2 |
The different types of teaching activity are summarized below:
- Theoretical sessions: They obey the classic articulation that the teacher presents the theoretical content through a power point and audiovisual content. Readings and audiovisual content will be proposed for each session and class participation will be encouraged. The theoretical sessions will include 15 minutes at the beginning of class to answer an assessment test from the previous session.
- Practical sessions: 1) Practical sessions related to the theoretical content and based on readings and a structured debate, which will need to be prepared together and will be assessable. and 2) practical sessions dedicated to the preparation of the research poster that students must prepare throughout the course
- Field trips. 2 course trips will be made inside the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona with the aim of observing and analyzing on the ground the theoretical concepts discussed in the subject.
The Moodle of the Virtual Campus will be used as a means of communication between the teaching staff and the students. The Moodle of the Virtual Campus will include the subject materials: syllabus, theoretical sessions (ppt), instructions for the practical sessions, guides for the preparation of the research poster and other useful materials.
Restricted use of AI: For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information search, text correction or translations ... The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influencedthe process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in this assessable activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may result in a partial or total penalty on the grade for the activity, or greater sanctions in severe cases
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field work and memory | 10% | 12 | 0.48 | CM08, KM11, SM10 |
| Preparation and presentation of a research poster | 20% | 7 | 0.28 | CM08, KM11, SM10 |
| Theoretical exam | 40% | 6 | 0.24 | CM08, KM11 |
| Weekly test | 20% | 4 | 0.16 | CM08, KM11 |
| Active participation in practical sessions | 10% | 9 | 0.36 | CM08, KM11, SM10 |
Assessment System
The course follows a continuous assessment system and does not provide for single (final) assessment.
The assessment consists of the following components:
- Theoretical content (60%)
- Multiple-choice tests at the beginning of each theoretical session (20%)
- Two partial exams (20% each), compulsory
- Group research poster (20%) – compulsory
- Fieldwork report (10%)
- Participation and practical sessions (10%)
The final grade will be calculated as the weighted average of the components listed above. The course is passed with a minimum grade of 5.0.
Description of assessment components
Theoretical content
a) Multiple-choice tests will be conducted at the beginning of each theoretical session, with an approximate duration of 15 minutes. These tests aim to assess the acquisition of knowledge covered in previous sessions and are cumulative in nature.
b) Two partial exams on theoretical content will be held (20% each), and attendance is compulsory.
To be eligible for the calculation of the final average, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in the overall theoretical component.
Students who obtain an average grade of 5 or higher in the partial exams will not be required to sit the final exam.
The use of electronic devices or translation tools is not allowed under any circumstances during the tests.
Group research poster (20%)
Students, organized in groups of 4 or 5, will be required to conduct an in-depth analysis of one of the proposed topics. The work will culminate in the production of a research poster and its oral presentation and defense.
This activity is compulsory. A minimum grade of 5 is not required for it to be included in the final average.
Fieldwork report (10%)
Students must submit an individual report based on the fieldwork activities carried out during the course.
This activity is compulsory. A minimum grade of 5 is not required for it to be included in the final average.
Participation and practical sessions (10%)
Active participation and attendance in practical sessions will be assessed.
Additional information
- Fail: Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of 5 in the weighted average of all assessable components will receive a fail grade.
- Not assessed: This grade will be assigned if no tests or assignments have been completed. In any other case, the corresponding grade will appear.
- Academic misconduct: Copying or plagiarism, whether in coursework or exams (including AI), constitutes an offence and will be penalized with a non-recoverable grade of 0 for the activity concerned. In cases of repeated misconduct, the entire course will be failed.
- Resit (reassessment): Students who do not achieve an average of 5 in the two partial exams must take the final resit exam.
- The poster and the report may be reassessed once in case of failure. The oral defense of the poster is not reassessable.
- Repeat students: Grades from the poster or report may be retained if a grade of 5 or higher was obtained.
- Honours distinction: Honours will be awarded to students with a final grade above 9.1, up to a maximum of 5% of enrolled students, in descending order of final grades.
- Review of grades: Requests may be made by email to the course instructor.
Bibliography
Abella, Martí (2004): Ciutat Vella. El centre històric reviscolat. Barcelona: Aula Barcelona.
Albet, A., i Benach, N. (2017). Gentrification as a Global Strategy: Neil Smith and Beyond. London i New York: Routledge.
Busquets, J. & Correa, F. (2007). Ciudades X formas: una nueva mirada hacia el proyecto urbanístico. Itàlia: Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Nicolodi Editori
Benach, N. & Albet, A. (2018 ). \"La gentrificación como una estrategia global\". Papers: Regió Metropolitana de Barcelona: Territori, estratègies, planejament 60, pp. 17-23
Institut Metròlpi. (2018) . Revista papers. N.60 – Gentrificació i dret a la ciutat. https://www.institutmetropoli.cat/ca/revistapapers/n-60-gentrificacio-i-dret-a-la-ciutat/
Institut Metròlpi. (2018) . Revista papers. N.61 – Governança metropolitana. https://www.institutmetropoli.cat/ca/revistapapers/n-60-gentrificacio-i-dret-a-la-ciutat/ https://www.institutmetropoli.cat/ca/revistapapers/n-61-governanca-metropolitana/
Institut Metròlpi. (2018) . Revista papers. N. 58– Megaregions i desenvolupament urbà sostenible. factors estratègics per a l’Àrea metropolitana de Barcelona en el context europeu. https://www.institutmetropoli.cat/ca/revistapapers/n-58-megaregions-i-desenvolupament-urba-sostenible-factors-estrategics-per-a-larea-metropolitana-de-barcelona-en-el-context-europeu/
Lehmann, S., & Szopinska‑Mularz, M. (Eds.). (2024). Novel trends in urban planning for building urban resilience. MDPI.
López-Gay, A. (2017). Hacia un patrón territorial complejo de la movilidad residencial. El caso de la Región Metropolitana de Barcelona. Papers. Revista de Sociologia, 112(4), 793-823.
Mitchell, B., & Franco, J. (2018). HOLC ‘Redlining’maps: The persistent structure of segregation and economic inequality. Whasington: National Community Reinvestment Coalition
Nel·lo, O. (1998). \"Los confines de la ciudad sin confines. Forma urbana y límites administrativos en la ciudad difusa\". En Monclús, F.J. La ciudad dispersa. Barcelona: CCCB.
Nel·lo, O. & Mele, R. (2016). Cities in the 21st century. London-New York: Routledge.
Oliveira, V. (2021). Urban morphology: An introduction to the study of the physical form of cities. Springer.
UN-Habitat. (2022). World Cities Report 2022: Envisaging the Future of Cities. Nairobi: United Nations.
Software
Basic package of office and complementary Geographical Information Systems (MiraMon, Qgis...)
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 61 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 611 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 611 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 612 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |