Students

GEOP3080 – Urban Strategic Planning

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Emma Booth
emma.booth@mq.edu.au
Linda Kelly
linda.kelly@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp including (GEOP212 or GEOP2080)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Strategic planning is a key practice for planners. This unit focuses on urban strategic planning at the State and local level, drawing on existing strategic plans at both levels of government in the Australian context. This unit allows students to develop practical skills for urban strategic planning, while also drawing on recent academic research. On completion of this unit students will know how to approach urban strategic planning as an inter-agency/intra-department process. Students will gain practical experience in assessing the scope of issues covered in urban strategic plans and knowledge about effective strategy development, plan making and communication.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the underlying principles of urban strategic planning and plan making.
  • ULO2: Identify and explain the role of urban strategic planning in shaping cities, particularly in the NSW context.
  • ULO3: Draw on a range of academic and policy sources to analyse and evaluate issues, concepts and current practices in urban strategic planning.
  • ULO4: Develop a strategic plan in both hypothetical and practical situations.
  • ULO5: Use written, verbal and visual communication to present complex information to diverse audiences, including the community.
  • ULO6: Interact and collaborate with other students to effectively develop a strategic plan for a site.

General Assessment Information

Where can I find more information about assessments?

The GEOP3080 iLearn page contains resources and detailed instructions for the assessment tasks, as well as marking rubrics. Examples of previous assessments are provided where appropriate as an additional resource.

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Presentation expectation

  • Assessment tasks should be properly referenced using the APA7 system of referencing (or other as discussed as appropriate).
  • Text should be a minimum of 11 point font and line spacing 1.5.
  • When using images, cite the source, provide a label, and refer to them in your text.
  • Proof read your work at least twice. High standards of spelling, grammar and sentence structure are expected.
  • Use Australian English.

Assessment marks and feedback

Individual marks and feedback to students will be provided via Turnitin. Feedback will include the rubric, intext comments and general feeback. You are encouraged to utilise these resource to develop your skills in subsequent assessments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Community video 30% No 20/03/2024 5pm
Strategic plan preparation 40% No 29/04/2024 11:55pm
Plan workshop and presentation 30% No 29/05/2024 5pm

Community video

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 20/03/2024 5pm
Weighting: 30%

 

You are to prepare a short video which would be part of a consultation strategy that is aimed at engaging the community

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the role of urban strategic planning in shaping cities, particularly in the NSW context.
  • Draw on a range of academic and policy sources to analyse and evaluate issues, concepts and current practices in urban strategic planning.
  • Interact and collaborate with other students to effectively develop a strategic plan for a site.

Strategic plan preparation

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 29/04/2024 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%

 

This assessment requires you to prepare a strategic plan for a particular area

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the underlying principles of urban strategic planning and plan making.
  • Identify and explain the role of urban strategic planning in shaping cities, particularly in the NSW context.
  • Draw on a range of academic and policy sources to analyse and evaluate issues, concepts and current practices in urban strategic planning.
  • Develop a strategic plan in both hypothetical and practical situations.
  • Interact and collaborate with other students to effectively develop a strategic plan for a site.

Plan workshop and presentation

Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 29/05/2024 5pm
Weighting: 30%

 

The workshop exercise involves you working in groups in class through a series of tasks outlined in detail in a Design Brief to undertake a planning study for the future use and embellishment of a space on campus.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the underlying principles of urban strategic planning and plan making.
  • Develop a strategic plan in both hypothetical and practical situations.
  • Use written, verbal and visual communication to present complex information to diverse audiences, including the community.
  • Interact and collaborate with other students to effectively develop a strategic plan for a site.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit will be delivered in a three hour workshop format on Wednesdays from 5 - 8pm in the active learning space 201 in 1CC. The format will include presentation of content, skill development, student-led presentations, guest presenters and field trips.

Readings and other resources will be available on iLearn under the topic headings.

Unit Schedule

Below is an outline of topics covered in the unit. The details may change so you should check iLearn regularly.

URBAN STRATEGIC PLANNING

1. Introduction to unit; what is urban strategic planning?

2. Drivers for change.

3. Metropolitan and regional planning

4. Strategic planning under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act

5. Planning Proposals

PLANNING SKILLS

6. Field trip

7. Field trip debrief

8. Team work and working collaboratively

PLANNING WORKSHOPS

9. Community engagement

10. Planning principles

11. On campus consultation

12. Plan finalisation

13. Student presentations

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook