Unit Outline

This unit provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation for advanced studies in urban and environmental planning. The unit covers the diverse functions and purposes of planning. You will have the opportunity to think critically about the philosophical and historical underpinnings of planning as a discipline, and the interactions between planning theory, wider social theory and planning practice.

Different approaches to planning and their relative merits are considered, especially their importance for informing planning practice. We will examine the roles and responsibilities of planners in different capacities and contexts, including government, non-government and private sectors. Various planning methods such as strategic planning, adaptive planning, and community engagement are evaluated. Australian planning institutions are also reviewed – across federal, state, regional and local planning scales – and we examine relevant policies, processes and legislation.

You will participate in practical activities to develop your skills in planning, including data analysis, communication, plan evaluation, site assessment, risk management and project management. Upon successfully completing the unit you will understand what planners do, why we plan, how we plan, who is involved in planning, various planning tools and processes, and how we can tell if planning has achieved its goals.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Compare and Contrast historical and contemporary planning practices by describing interactions between planning theory, wider social theory and the evolution of planning as a practice
2	Explain the influence of Markets and Governance on planning as a profession using a systems thinking perspective
3	Formulate a response to contemporary planning issues using key social, environmental and economic data to inform your recommendations
4	Convey planning proposals to specialist and non-specialist audiences in accordance with academic and professional standards and frameworks

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The unit has undergone a major redesign to make stronger connections between theory and practice and to bring to life complex concepts via fieldwork.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	City Portfolio	Week 6	30 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Planning Report	Week 14	30 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	From theory to practice - real world outcomes	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: City Portfolio

Task Description:

For this assessment you will examine an Australian city. Over a period of six weeks, you will draw upon the unit readings and in-class workshops as well as your own independent research to do the following: (1) describe the
city and contemporary threats it is facing; (2) compile a demographic profile of the city, using Australian Bureau of Statistics census data, highlighting residents’ needs; (3) apply a critical lens to identify planning goals for the city,
including answering the questions - who are we planning for and who is being excluded and how -what circumstances have given rise to this outcome?; (4) devise potential solutions to
improve the issues you have identified in week 3 - how might different planning strategies and approaches help address identified residents’ needs?; (5) identify the legislation, policy, strategies, participatory processes, and urban design
approaches that could make the city more equitable and liveable; (6) discuss the likely future for the city and how planning might enable or change that future. You will use maps, diagrams, charts and other figures as evidence to support your claims and arguments.

Task Length:

Maximum 2500 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Appraise the influence of procedure, policy and process in shaping planning practice	LO1
2	Explain the application of planning and social theory to influence decision making about the use of built and natural environments	LO1
3	Describe issues arising from planning practices using a variety of historical and contemporary examples	LO1
4	Use unit references and resources to validate or justify observations	LO1, LO4
5	Present work with no spelling, grammatical or typographic errors; subject-verb agreements; and correct tense	LO4
6	Use logical sequencing and flow to express ideas	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Planning Report

Task Description:

You will write a report that discusses the challenges, issues and relative merits of a major development proposal from a strategic planning perspective. Details of the assessment will be provided in MyLO.

You will visit the site and observe the current activity and potential constraints to redevelopment. Your report will need to include a SWOT analysis of development options, zoning maps for the site, issue identification (e.g. transport accessibility, building height limitations, heritage considerations, vegetation protection, habitat conservation, open space and economic feasibility), recommendations for public participation, and will need to include diagrams, charts, maps and sketches where relevant. Your report should also include reference to advice from planning professions who may visit the class. Additional information will be provided on MyLO about how to access the Land Information System of Tasmania (LIST) and Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data. The assignment is to be written in formal language suitable for a professional report.

Task Length:

Maximum 4000 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Appraise the influence of procedure, policy and process in shaping planning practice	LO3
2	Apply planning methods, tools and techniques to support community engagement, strategic, statutory and adaptive planning	LO3
3	Analyse the roles and responsibilities of planners in responding to contemporary planning issues.	LO3
4	Identify appropriate planning processes, mechanisms and instruments to achieve social, environmental and economic outcomes.	LO3
5	Use unit references and resources to validate or justify observations and/or recommendations	LO3, LO4
6	Present work with: no spelling, grammatical or typographic errors; subject-verb agreements; and correct tense.	LO4
7	Use logical sequencing and flow to express ideas	LO4
8	Employ planning terminology appropriately to communicate ideas with clarity	LO4

Assessment Task 3: From theory to practice - real world outcomes

Task Description:

This is the planning history and theory task for the semester and starts in week 1.

You will visit four (4) different sites in Hobart to see how a planning theory has been applied (or not), and the real world outcomes of this application. You will identify the factors that produced those outcomes.

This task requires you apply insights from unit readings to understand how and why planning ideas may not achieve intended outcomes when they are applied in practice.

You will be provided with a template in MyLO to structure your critical observations and reflections.

Task Length:

Four (4) 1,200 word critical reflections

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Outline the role of Markets and Governance on planning	LO2
2	Define System thinking in relation to planning as a practice	LO2
3	Explain the role of institutions in decision making	LO2
4	Use unit references and resources to validate or justify explanations and relationships	LO2, LO4
5	Employ planning terminology appropriately to communicate ideas with clarity	LO4
6	Use logical sequencing and flow to express ideas	LO4
7	Present work with: no spelling, grammatical or typographic errors; subject-verb agreements; and correct tense.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.