COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning program is structured over four years, combining theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional experience to prepare students for careers in sustainable and socially responsible urban planning. In the first year, students complete 96 credit points across eight core courses, including Land, Place and Society (ARCH3374), Origins and Development of Urban Planning (ARCH1306), Power and Governance (POLI1025), Sustainable Futures (ENVI1153), Nature-based Solutions for Cities (ENVI1043), Global Political Economy (SOCU2112), Strategic Urban Planning (ARCH1204), and The Urban Age (HUSO2341). These courses introduce students to the foundations of urban planning, governance, sustainability, and the global context of cities.In the second year, students complete 72 credit points through courses such as Urban Design and Planning (ARCH1061), Planning and Environmental Regulation (ARCH1059), Foundations of Social Research (HUSO2166), Systems Thinking for Resource Management (ENVI1196), Policy in Practice (ENVI1050), and Planning With Communities (ARCH3342). Students also choose 24 credit points from university electives, enabling them to explore specialized interests or complementary skills. This year emphasizes applied planning, policy development, and community engagement.The third year focuses on advanced planning knowledge and analytical skills, with 84 credit points from courses including Governance and Planning (POLI1034), Planning, Property and Economics (ARCH1064), Advanced Statutory Planning (ARCH1461), Integrated Transport Planning (ARCH1313), Climate Change Responses (ENVI1212), Rural and Regional Planning (ARCH1284), and Planning Theory (ARCH1065). Students may also complete 12 credit points from university electives, allowing flexibility to pursue additional interests or research skills.In the fourth year, students complete 36 credit points of professional practice courses, including Planning Work Placement (ARCH1275), Professional Practice and Ethics in Planning (ARCH1276), and Strategic Plan Preparation (ENVI1138). They then choose between a Thesis Stream or a Project Stream for 48 credit points. The Thesis Stream includes Designing Social Science Research (HUSO1222), Planning Thesis 1 (ARCH1403), and Planning Thesis 2 (ARCH1404), while the Project Stream includes Urban Design Project (ARCH1328), Urban Planning Research (HUSO2165), and Urban Policy Research Project (ARCH1067). This final year integrates research, professional practice, and applied project work, preparing graduates for careers as policy and planning leaders in both local and global contexts.