BPlan - Bachelor of Planning

BPlan

key areas of study

Some selected courses

Planning Theory and Practice (PLAN1241)

This new course from 2003 aims to introduce students, commencing their planning studies, to the principles which underlie planning as a profession, the explicit and implicit meanings of planning and its activities, some of the basic methods planners use to achieve their goals, and the interrelationships between planning, society and governments. It aims to familiarize students with the social context of planning; the roles of various organizations involved in planning processes, and the relationships between planning and related development and environmental activity. It does this by way of lectures, student-presented seminars, and directed exercises and field trips.

Resources, Planning, and the Natural Environment (PLAN2051)

This new course from 2003 examines the interrelationships between urbanization, planning and the sustainable management of environmental systems. It situates the potential of land use planning in resource management relative to scientific bodies of knowledge and the roles of cognate professionals. The role of environmental factors in complex planning issues is considered. The assessment of environmental factors is considered at both the strategic and development application scale. The course reviews the principles of ecologically sustainable development and how these may be interpreted in an urban context. Models for reporting on the 'state of the environment' are considered. Analytical and procedural tools for use in strategic and tactical management of the urban environment and non-metropolitan regions impacted by urbanization are introduced. Instruction is via lectures, tutorials and fieldwork. Through considering a range of important interactions between urban development and the biophysical environment, students gain familiarity with both conceptual frameworks and techniques for incorporating environmental considerations into urban planning decisions at strategic and tactical scales.

Integrated Planning 1-3 (PLAN 2041, 3031, 3032)

There are three 'integrated planning' courses through the program, in years 2, 3 and 4, each worth 6 UOC. The underlying philosophy of these courses is for them to synthesise or 'integrate' various skills learned in the planning program (communication, design, survey, analysis etc), usually around selected applied planning issues. The emphasis is on individual and team research, analysis, technical report production, and presentations, with a significant fieldwork component. Integrated Planning 1 (PLAN 2041) targets communication skills and strategies, vital to professional practice. Integrated Planning 2 (PLAN 3031) focuses on strategic planning theory and practice with a detailed application in a specific environmental setting). Integrated planning 3 (PLAN 3032) focuses on a third major generic dimension of planning expertise: master planning, usually with specific reference to integrated residential site planning.

Social Planning (PLAN 3015)

This course explores contemporary issues facing the professional planner working in an increasingly diverse and complex society. Various cultural, social and environmental issues that challenge ethnic communities, children, the aged, women, Aborigines and homeless people are examined. Students are encouraged to question their own prejudices and values as they develop better understandings of the needs of these groups. The ability of the planning system to respond is explored, as are creative and inter-disciplinary approaches that can be facilitated by urban planners.

Thesis Project (PLAN 4132)

Individual study by final year students resulting in a substantial written report reporting detailed original research on a specific planning or planning-related topic. A thesis proposal is developed in the preliminary companion course Research Design (PLAN 4031). The completed thesis is normally submitted for examination at the end of Session 2. Students are expected to participate in regular progress discussions with appointed advisers during their final session of study. A new option for students from 2002 is the incorporation of a significant multimedia component in the thesis project.