Building Better Cities

Building Better Cities -

a Case Study of Large Cities and Urban Dynamics in Sydney

Year 12 Geography

This program is designed to support the Stage 6 Geography syllabus. It focusses on Sydney as a world city and the dynamics of Urban Renewal and Urban Consolidation in Pyrmont. Although the urban trail begins with a focus on the commercial core of Sydney including a visit to the CBD model at Customs House, Circular Quay and a land-use activity around Sydney Harbour, most of the actual investigation of urban dynamics takes place in Pyrmont , the inner- city suburb west of the CBD. The Ultimo-Pyrmont re-development is part of a government-led City West Urban re-development program (now administered by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority- SHFA) which in turn is part of the Better Cities Program a long-term program initiated by the Commonwealth Government in 1991. It aims to reform urban management processes through model partnerships between the three spheres of government, the private sector and the community. The major objectives are to improve the economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability of Australia's cities.

Examples of Assessment Tasks

SUMMARY OF LEARNING SITES, ACTIVITIES & STUDENT OUTCOMES

LEARNING SITE

ACTIVITY

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Students will be able to:

FIELDWORK IN ACTION

Pre-visit Activities

Video study and
Website investigation

Become familiar with the study area, urban dynamics and the concept of urban consolidation. Identify the key agencies and policies in place to manage growth in Sydney. Identify and discriminate between relevant sources of geographical information.

1. Customs House. Alfred St. Circular Quay

Overview - Urban Places

Introduction to Building Better Cities and orientation to study area

Consolidate understanding of

Geographic concepts realted to the urban places topic (particularly urban dynamics), and investigate how these concepts relate to the case study of urban consolidation in Pyrmont.

2. Harbour transfer by ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour, Pyrmont.

Waterfront Workout -

Land use mapping and urban issues/dynamics identification.

Recognise and classify land use types and observe urban dynamics in operation

3. Move between 3 locations in Pyrmont for comparison:

Livability index?
Complete mapping activities.

Complete a report card on the amenity of the city

Critically assess the effectiveness of the governments planning principals for urban consolidation in Pyrmont.

Jacksons Landing

Analysis of progress of urban renewal and consolidation.

Appreciate the scale of the urban renewal project in this location

4. Pyrmont Community Centre

Vi ew Video

Overview of fieldwork and revisit the fieldwork question

Consolidate knowledge of the planning framework for the Pyrmont redevelopment

Understand the role of DIPNR in partnership with the SHFA in providing the legislative framework for urban renewal/consolidation in Pyrmont.

Return to programs

SUMMARY OF LEARNING SITES, ACTIVITIES & STUDENT OUTCOMES
LEARNING SITE	ACTIVITY	STUDENT OUTCOMES Students will be able to:	FIELDWORK IN ACTION
Pre-visit Activities	Video study and Website investigation	Become familiar with the study area, urban dynamics and the concept of urban consolidation. Identify the key agencies and policies in place to manage growth in Sydney. Identify and discriminate between relevant sources of geographical information.
1. Customs House. Alfred St. Circular Quay	Overview - Urban Places Introduction to Building Better Cities and orientation to study area	Consolidate understanding of Geographic concepts realted to the urban places topic (particularly urban dynamics), and investigate how these concepts relate to the case study of urban consolidation in Pyrmont.
2. Harbour transfer by ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour, Pyrmont.	Waterfront Workout - Land use mapping and urban issues/dynamics identification.	Recognise and classify land use types and observe urban dynamics in operation
3. Move between 3 locations in Pyrmont for comparison:	Livability index? Complete mapping activities. Complete a report card on the amenity of the city	Critically assess the effectiveness of the governments planning principals for urban consolidation in Pyrmont.
Jacksons Landing	Analysis of progress of urban renewal and consolidation.	Appreciate the scale of the urban renewal project in this location
4. Pyrmont Community Centre	Vi ew Video Overview of fieldwork and revisit the fieldwork question	Consolidate knowledge of the planning framework for the Pyrmont redevelopment Understand the role of DIPNR in partnership with the SHFA in providing the legislative framework for urban renewal/consolidation in Pyrmont.