APL3008 : Green Infrastructure for contemporary urban challenges
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Natalia Villamizar Duarte
- Lecturer: Mr Thomas Kern
- Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To develop an understanding of contemporary urban transformation challenges and the role of Green Infrastructure (GI) in responding to them, enabling students to critically develop strategies and interventions that enhance biodiversity and support inclusive, resilient, and equitable urban environments across scales.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module addresses contemporary challenges of urban transformation through project-based learning. Students develop urban design skills focusing on Green Infrastructure (GI) as a key framework to explore inclusive, resilient, and biodiversity-led urban transformation. It encourages critical, creative, and iterative design thinking across scales, from strategic visions to detailed spatial interventions, integrating ecological, social, and spatial considerations. The syllabus will cover aspects such as:
• Understanding contemporary urban transformation challenges and their spatial implications
• Using Green Infrastructure (GI) as an urban design framework
• Undertaking urban analysis and mapping techniques to identify GI opportunities and constraints
• Designing GI strategies across scales
• Proposing place-making, connectivity, and urban systems through GI-led design approaches
• Using biodiversity enhancement, ecological networks, and nature-based solutions as design drivers
• Integrating inclusion, equity, and resilience as critical considerations in urban design decision-making
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 7:00 | 21:00 | Assessment prep |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 7:00 | 14:00 | Design reviews – present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 3:00 | 27:00 | Group and individual design tutorials – present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 10 | 11:00 | 110:00 | Research and design development |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 4 | 5:00 | 20:00 | Individual site visit. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | 4:00 Module introduction – present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Talk/Lecture introducing topics relevant to the development of the project - present in person |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ARC8115 | Design studio |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The design studio is an integrative environment where students can synthesise knowledge from other modules and develop their understanding and skills in the context of a design problem set by tutors. Students are supported in their learning through briefings, lectures, group tutorials and critical reviews. Tutorials and reviews are also the principal means through which students receive feedback on their progress.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | 25 | Interim review |
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | 50 | Final review/ submission |
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | 25 | Reflective design portfolio |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
This is a design project and is assessed by design review.
Individual Project - summative assessment (25%+50%)
The individual project is designed to showcase the knowledge and skills developed during the project. The assessment criteria are based on the learning outcomes and assessment criteria outlined in the project brief. The student will be expected to demonstrate their conceptual thinking (ARB GC2), overall strategy (ARB GC4, GC7) and detailed interventions (ARB GC5; GES), through sketches, plans, cross-sections, renders and other graphics (as necessary) to a scale agreed by the design tutor.
Reflective Design Portfolio - summative assessment (25%)
The reflective log is an individual piece of work which reflects on the knowledge and skills developed during the project (ARB GC2). Through plans, diagrammatic representation and sketches the student should focus on the achievement and limitations of their engagement with the project; how the project relates to their overall learning on their degree; and the contribution of the project to their portfolio.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- APL3008's Timetable