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Unit of study_
PLAN9068: History and Theory of Planning and Design
2025 unit information
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a range of concepts and methods which can be used to interpret the urban form and structure of cities. Organised thematically, and using a wide range of empirical examples from both Australia and internationally, students will encounter a range of theories and concepts that explain urban change and how it has impacted on theories of urban planning and design. Themes may vary slightly from year to year, but are likely to include the study of tall buildings, technology and cities, sustainability, mobilities, water infrastructure and urban design practice. The urban history and theory of Aboriginal urban planning, policy and design issues is a key element of the course. Students will be able to: critically review and interpret key planning and urban design texts/papers; construct and present basic arguments orally and in conjunction with graphics/images in illustrated documents; access and engage with key literature and other sources of knowledge; and use basic conceptual frameworks about planning arguments and stories for both the overlapping fields of urban planning and urban design. Interpreting the built form around you from an historical lens is an important learning outcome.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Urban and Regional Planning and Policy |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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PLAN9031 or ARCH9062 or ARCH9031 or MARC4201 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. analyse, understand and explain key moments and concepts in the evolution of the history of urban planning and urban design
- LO2. ‘read’ and interpret built form, design and planning process in terms of the embedded layers of planning history, design and the theory they represent
- LO3. develop and apply research, inquiry and information literacy skills (written and visual communication skills) in the critical analysis of urban planning and urban design concepts and issues.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
