Contemporary Planning Issues

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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

Why do governments create and administer spatial plans for their cities and region? Why do urban and regional planning decisions get some people so angry? How do spatial planners plan, in Victoria and in other places around the world?

This subject will examine central issues and processes affecting the Victorian planning system in the context of international theory and practice. The subject is designed to provide an introductory understanding of strategic and statutory land use planning and its relationship to social, economic, environmental, and cultural concerns. It examines trends in these issues in other countries and the reason for these trends. The subject also relates planning to governance and political frameworks by analysing decision making processes and the reasons for decisions.

By the end of this subject, students will:

• become familiar with important contemporary planning issues and principles in Victoria and internationally, trends on these issues and reasons for these trends
• analyse and evaluate current planning debates and related arguments on these issues and the reasons for trends and projections, and the various value positions
• develop solutions to identified problems
• develop research and writing skills through independent research

• 1,500 words summary of planning issues, due in week 4 (25%)
• Contribution (at least 6 posts and 6 responses) to discussion board, due throughout semester (20%)
• 2,000 word essay, typing planning issue to theory, due in week 10 (30%)
• Take - home exam, due end of semester (25%)

Course reader

Planning Australia, edited by Susan Thompson.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• High level written and oral communication skills
• Familiarity with key planning issues
• Problem solving skills
• Research and analysis skills