Overview

Expanded methods for the planning professional The Master of Urban Planning and Design integrates policy and design approaches as central methods for addressing the challenges facing planners in the twenty-first-century city. This approach provides future planners with the ability to actively engage with a range of stakeholders in flexible ways … For more content click the Read More button below. Real-world projects in research settings The course is interdisciplinary and collaborative with a focus on project studios that unpack the impacts of urban growth and transformation as we move through this century. Projects are themed around central planning issues including the Compact City, the Ecological City, the Sprawling City and the Inclusive City Each semester, you will explore and develop solutions to key planning and design challenges in real-world settings. Projects work across a range of spatial settings, allowing a broad exploration of issues, and development of skills and knowledge required by planning professionals and appropriate to graduate study. You will learn to employ conceptual tools, analytical methods and visualisation techniques that provide a broad understanding of and the ability to engage with the urban realm. Upon completion, graduates can engage critically in the discourse around the planning, design and development of the city, integrating practical and specialised knowledge and skills that can be applied in traditional and emerging planning roles. Multi-disciplinary participants Students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds work together with Australian and internationally experienced academics and practitioners committed to multi-disciplinary research, as well as practical work, that can develop new modes of professional intervention. The course is open to applicants from diverse backgrounds including architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, economics and geography. Graduates may seek employment in government departments and agencies and in planning practices in Australia and around the world.

Mode and location

On campus

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

Professional recognition

The course is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). As a graduate, you will be eligible to become a member of the PIA.

 

Structure

The knowledge and skills required for professional recognition as a planner with the Planning Institute of Australia will be integrated throughout the course structure, which comprises four project studio units, four stand alone complementary depth study units, two applied professional practice units and two open elective units.

Part A. Urban planning projects and study units

Planning project

Cumulative, project-based learning is attached to real world settings and research projects that provide the framework/structure for the development of the conceptual, creative, analytical, critical, ethical and communication skills required by planning professionals and appropriate to postgraduate study. Working in multi-disciplinary groups on research projects, you will learn how to synthesise planning solutions within the constraints of a given project. Projects work across a range of spatial settings, allowing a broad exploration of issues and development of skills and knowledge.

The delivery of the project integrates lectures from leading academics and practitioners, workshops and seminars, field visits and examinations of case studies of projects, plans and policies used in cities around the world. In each project, you develop skills around applied knowledge that considers how the physical, social, cultural, economic and governance issues are all integrated. Ideas, concepts and outcomes of projects will be communicated through presentations, draft policies, plans and urban designs. You will be assessed through regular critiques of your work and through the final outcomes of written and visual work at the end of the semester.

The results of each project will become part of a compendium that collects and builds knowledge and expertise in the course. This compendium will be in effect a living document that compiles all of the theoretical, historical, propositional and final reports of the course.

Urban planning study

Complementary study units deepen knowledge areas and introduce you to the methods and approaches of urban planning research that engage with the multidisciplinary socio-cultural, political, economic, historical, theoretical and governance dimensions relevant to planning and urbanism. These units are run as lectures and seminars and are delivered in each semester. The study units incorporate literature and case study material that reflects on a wide range of approaches in Australia and internationally. This will ensure a relevance of material if you come from or wish to work overseas.

Part B. Applied professional practices

In these studies you will focus on the generic capabilities and specific competencies that contribute to the practice of a quality urban planning professional, and the development of their abilities to work at a high level and in an ethical way in multi-disciplinary teams that address a range of complex issues in the city. Issues covered include the development and constant refining of skills in research, project management, spatial analysis, data collection and management, policy writing, plan-making and urban design, architectural plan-reading, and presentation and communication skills. 

Part C. Free electives

These studies provide complementary depth units that enable students to tailor studies to individual interests. You can select units from either planning-specific advanced planning studies depth units or other units offered by the University. Free electives in which you are eligible to enrol can be chosen from across the Monash University faculties. In any given year a range of units relevant to urban planning (e.g. transport, architecture, sustainable development, economics, project management, indigenous perspectives, professional writing) will be available.

If you are interested in progressing to research training, an independent research project unit may be taken in place of the final elective unit. In this unit, you will conceptualise and present a final project work in the context of contemporary theory and practice.

Course requirements

This course comprises 96 credit points structured into three parts: Part A. Urban planning projects and study units, Part B. Applied professional practices and Part C. Free electives.

In addition, all students must complete OHS1000 (Introduction to art and design health and safety) (0 credit points) if not previously completed.

Note: If you are able to provide evidence of successful completion of equivalent study for particular unit(s) you may be eligible for credit for prior studies. Each case will be considered individually.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree if you are completing the research option. If you wish to progress to research training studies you will be able to do so following the successful completion of this course as outlined. The planning studies units are framed to support the development of relevant research skills, and the sequence of planning project units require you to integrate research in a variety of contexts as part of project proposals developed. Two aligned units are offered to enable graduate progression to further research training and study:

UPD5102 Applied professional practice: Urban planning and design research methods
UPD5500 Independent research project

 

Course director(s)

Professor Carl Grodach