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 studio practices units in Part A, four critical contexts units in Part B, two disciplinary practices units in Part C, and two elective units in Part D.

Part A. Studio practices

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.

You will also be introduced to occupational health, safety and environmental training particularly within the context of studying art, design and architecture.

Part B. Critical contexts

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. 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 C. Disciplinary 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 D. Free electives

These studies provide complementary units that enable you to tailor your studies to your individual interests. You can select units from either planning-specific advanced planning studies units. You can also select the Art, Design and Architecture internship. 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 progression map

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

This course comprises 96 points structured into five parts: Part A. Studio practices (48 points), Part B. Critical contexts (24 points), Part C. Disciplinary practices (12 Points), and Part D. Free electives (12 points).

You 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. Studio practices (48 points)

You must complete the following five units:

• OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)
• UPD4001 Planning project 1: Compact city (12 points)
• UPD4002 Planning project 2: Expanding city (12 points)
• UPD5001 Planning project 3: Transforming city (12 points)
• UPD5002 Planning project 4: Inclusive city (12 points)

Part B. Critical contexts (24 points)

You must complete:

• UPD4301 Urban positions and practices
• UPD4302 Regulating the city
• UPD5301 Economics and the city
• UPD5302 Democratic city

Part C. Disciplinary practices (12 points)

You must complete:

• UPD4101 Professional practice 1: Communication and roles
• UPD5102 Professional practice 2: Analysis and research

Part D. 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:

• ADA5406 Art, Design and Architecture internship
• UPD5500 Independent research project
• ARC5401 Ethics in practice
• ARC4501/4502/5501/5502 Advanced architecture studies unit
• MON5750 Monash Innovation Guarantee

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.