Place and liveability excursion
Geography
Program
Students explore the Shepherd's Bay urban precinct and picturesque Parramatta River foreshore to engage in a pertinent and local study of a diverse and dynamic urban place. Students will learn a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods used to survey demography, liveability and environmental quality, allowing them to draw conclusions on the liveability of this place.
Inquiry questions
- How does access to services and facilities, environmental quality, and social connectedness affect the liveability of the Shepherds Bay urban precinct?
- How can we measure, assess, and rank liveability?
- How might perceptions of liveability differ between people?
Fieldwork
Mapping and field sketch
The excursion commences with an examination of the natural and built features of place through mapping and field sketching.
Liveability and community survey
Students will use observation, bipolar analyses and a range of digital instruments to assess liveability in relation to social, cultural, economic and environmental factors.
Living river assessment
The program concludes with a case study of swimming in the Parramatta River, engaging in sensory fieldwork and water quality testing to investigate connections between urbanisation, environmental quality and liveability.
Discussion and reflection
Students will use their acquired data to consider how liveability has been planned for and can be improved, whilst recognising varied perceptions of liveability.