Urban Design for Planners

Subject 702-532 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Up to 3 hours a week (36 hours total)
Total Time Commitment: 140 hours
Prerequisites: Planning Law, Statutory palnning and planning thought and history
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview: Urban design is concerned with the qualities, use, ongoing improvement and management of the public realm such as streets, squares and pedestrian malls. This subject emphasises the development of urban design skills that are of value to urban planners, while critically reflecting on urban design as it is practised. Students will develop understandings of the nature of urban design, and the roles of planners and other professionals in relation to it. The fundamental qualities of urban places are examined from an urban design perspective. These understandings form the basis of skills development in using planning tools to achieve desirable urban design outcomes. An integrated program of lectures, tutorial workshops, fieldwork, and teamwork provide the theoretical and practical basis for developing urban design skills and understandings. Students will undertake hands-on urban design work, while reflecting critically upon the role of urban design, the skills they are developing, and the manner in which planning interconnects with urban design.

This subject aims to enable students to:

  • Understanding of the nature of urban design
  • Ability to assess the urban design qualities of urban places
  • Ability to use planning controls to effect desirable urban design outcomes
  • Ability to prepare and present urban design documents

Assessment: Tutorial exercises in weeks 2-6 (40%); Major Urban Design submission: equivalent to 3,000 words (60%) due in week 12.
Prescribed Texts: TBC
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Creative response to complex problems.
  • Spatial analysis.
  • Awareness of different approaches to design tasks.
  • Use of sketches and diagrams to analyse, plan and communicate.
Related Course(s): Master of Urban Planning

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