Urban Design and Place Making (8735.3)

This unit introduces the many dimensions of community planning: political, economic, social, cultural and environmental. Starting from fundamental theories of community planning, this unit covers a diversity of community issues, including social policies, affordable housing, community participation, collaborative planning, local economic development, cultural heritage, and environmental concerns. Historical evolution, contemporary development, and future direction of community planning in Australia will be traced, examined, and envisioned in parallel with the international context. This unit particularly highlights the concept and practice of place making in community planning, i.e. achievement of a sense of place in a community, which is more than a space in physical sense, but incorporates the overall well being of people. New Urbanism will be taught as a major tool in community planning and place making.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the capacity to improve society and to contribute to the community;
2. Understand the nature and fundamental theories of community planning, and its evolution, contemporary and future development;
3. Work with stakeholders of community planning and be able to build consensus through participation and collaboration;
4. Address community planning problems analytically and critically by employing proper approaches and methods;
5. Demonstrate the appropriate communication and presentation skills to engage community in working on community planning; and
6. Produce and implement community development efficiently and effectively.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

At least one of the following units:Introduction to PlanningDesign HistoryBuilding and Construction Studies 1 Introductory SociologySustainable Communities