Subject Details for
Semester 2, 2008

(updated 2-September-2008)

Subject website URL: http://www.geom.unimelb.edu.au/hunter/lectures/451422/451422.html

Official university handbook entry

Dr Gary Hunter, LS, BSurv(Hons), MSurvSc, PhD
Associate Professor & Reader
Department of Geomatics
University of Melbourne
E-mail. garyh@unimelb.edu.au

Subject objectives:

• On completion of this subject, students should possess a sound knowledge of the processes associated with residential land development in Victoria, and have developed personal skills and knowledge in designing medium-sized residential subdivisions and preparing the corresponding documentation for planning and certification purposes.

Generic skills acquired in this subject:

• the ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large;
• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline;
• the ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
• an understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development;
• understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them;
• an expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, capacity to do so;
• the capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• an openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom;

Lecture and practical exercise details:

• 4 hours per week during Semester 1 have been officially timetabled for lectures and practical work.
• Lectures/tutorials will given in the 2-hour block on Tuesdays, 2:15pm - 4:15pm, Theatre C2
• To ensure students are able to get access to the software on a weekly basis, the ECR Labs have been reserved for 2 hours twice a week for class use. These times are: Thursdays 11am-1pm ECR Lab3 and Thursdays 2.15p-4.15pm ECR Lab 2.
• Tutors in the Microstation software (and who have already done this subject) will be available to assist students.
• For practical exercise output purposes, Microstation software will be available for use in conjunction with an A3-black and white laser printer in the final year student PC laboratory on the 4th floor.
• Students who wish to use Autocad or LIScad software for their exercises are welcome to do so, but technical assistance is unable to be provided as this software is not used in the Department.

Download your practical exercise data files here:

• Digital Melways image of the study site
• Blank Plan of Subdivision Templates in Microstation (dgn) format
• Blank Plan of Subdivision Templates in AutoCad (dxf) format
• Blank Plan of Subdivision Templates in AutoCad (dwg) format
• VicMap files containing surrounding parcels (AutoCAD .dxf format)
• VicMap files containing surrounding contours (AutoCAD .dxf format)
• Digital color aerial image of the study site

Download the lecture PowerPoints here:

• Week 1: Modules 1 & 2
• Week 2: Modules 3 & 4
• Week 3: Module 5
• Week 4: Module 6
• Week 5: Module 7
• Week 6: Module 7

Assessment:

• There is NO WRITTEN EXAM in this subject. - but don't be fooled, this is a labor intensive subject !
• Instead, assessment will consist of a single major assignment worth 100%, in which students are required to progressively prepare: (1) a Site Context and Description, (20%), (2) a Design Response Plan and Report (50%), and (3) a Plan of Subdivision (30%) for a  land parcel which is to be developed for residential housing purposes.
• The penalty for submissions after the due dates for each component of the assignment = 1% off the total subject mark per day overdue.

References:

• 451-422 course handouts as provided in class.
• 3rd year 451-333 Cadastral Surveying and Land Development course notes.
• Planning Schemes information is available at: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/planningschemes/

Class Schedule: