F6004 Master of Urban Planning and Design

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.

This course comprises 96 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 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.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

Part A. Urban planning projects and study units (72 points)

You must complete:

• UPD4001 Planning project 1: The compact city (12 points)
• UPD4301 Planning study 1: History and theory of planning and urban design
• UPD4002 Planning project 2: The ecological city (12 points)
• UPD4302 Planning study 2: Regulating the city
• UPD5001 Planning project 3: The sprawling city (12 points)
• UPD5301 Planning study 3: Economics and the city
• UPD5002 Planning project 4: The inclusive city (12 points)
• UPD5302 Planning study 4: Democratic engagement

Part B. Applied professional practices (12 points)

You must complete:

• UPD4101 Applied professional practice: Planning capabilities and competencies 
• UPD5102 Applied professional practice: Urban planning and design research methods

Part C. Free electives (12 points)

You must complete 12 points of units from across the University (including at least 6 points at level 5) - units can include:

• UPD5406 Work integrated learning: industry placement experience
• UPD5500 Independent research project

Free electives can be identified using the [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search][browse units]] tool and [[http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/][indexes of units]] in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.