Maria Fernanda Suarez Spindola
Bachelor of Environments: Urban Design and Planning

I chose the Bachelor of Environments because It gave me the opportunity to explore the bridge between Urban Planning and Urban Design. As well as exposing me to other built environment professions like architecture, property and construction and civil engineering.

I decided to major in Urban Design because of the opportunities it offers to change and impact the built environment, and all things involved with that; so society, politics, economics, etc. in an integrated larger-scale approach.

My favourite subject were Urban Precinct Studio because it really represented what ‘good’ Urban Design is about. It helped me identify that this area or profession related to the built environment was really where I wanted and saw myself dedicating my life’s work to advancing. Cities From Local to Global because it introduced me to planning issues and important texts such as the various books written by Jane Jacobs. The subject content allowed me and invited me to question and revise the contested areas of urban planning and the development of new ‘trends’ like citizen participation in terms of its underlying benefits and costs.

To me, studying at the University of Melbourne meant being exposed to a completely different experience and way of life. Coming all the way to Melbourne from Mexico City was a decision to widen my horizons, experience new cultures and draw comparisons between the development patterns, underlying principles, successes and failures of two very different cities.

My advice to new students is to take advantage of the openness of first-year subject selection in order to really dig deep to find what it is that drives you and motivates you, to find that which you can imagine yourself happily doing once you graduate. Constantly find ways to challenge yourself, to try new things and don’t just stick to doing what you know you are good at or what comes easier.

I am looking forward to getting the opportunity to work on revitalisation, affordable housing and public transport design issues not only in Melbourne, but back in my home city.

My personal motto is…nothing truly worthwhile comes easy.

MARIA IS NOW DOING GRADUATE STUDY

I chose to do graduate study in Urban Design because I felt I needed to spend more time and gain more knowledge about the theories behind modern Urban Design. I essentially felt I needed to strengthen the knowledge base upon which I could then build a life career upon.

It’s different studying at graduate level because the subjects and coursework is a lot more focused and specific, which is a good thing. It has been interesting working with people with different academic backgrounds and more experience in the work force or real-life. It seems as well that the other students are a lot more focused, dedicated and genuinely interested in getting the most out of the subjects.

In my Masters I am looking forward to participating in the Mumbai traveling studio as it will surely offer an incredible learning experience where I will get to work on real-life issues of slum clearance with people from different professions. This is

especially interesting to me seeing as this kind of work is relevant to places in Latin America, especially Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro; two cities I have a special interest in.

What inspires you at Uni? Lecturers who love what they do and are able to transmit that in their lecture