Students

GEOP8075 – Planning, Principles and Places

2022 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor & lecturer
Linda Kelly
linda.kelly@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 443, 25B Wally's Walk
Email to make an appointment
Lecturer/tutor
Donna Houston
donna.houston@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Email to make an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnvPlan or MPlan or GradCertEnvPlan or MEnvMgt or MEngMgt or MPPP or MEnv or GradDipEnv or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertEnvPlan or GradCertSIA or GradDipSIA or MDevStud or MSusDev
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines the complexities of planning, development and place-making in the public domain. The unit considers both theoretical and practical perspectives with a focus upon the foundation elements of planning frameworks including stakeholders and participation, governance and assessment, planning principles and professional planning ethics. This unit relates theory to practice, paying particular attention to what it means to plan in the public interest in the 21st century, generating professional practice skills for students.

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: Explain the basis for the theory and practice of planning and place-making processes
  • ULO2: Describe the role of planners and stakeholders in the development of plans and planning principles at different levels of governance
  • ULO3: Interpret plans and policies to identify and critically evaluate planning and design issues
  • ULO4: Understand planning principles and their role in planning practice
  • ULO5: Prepare clear well-structured reports addressing planning issues which are suitable for a variety of audiences.
  • ULO6: Recognise the operation of values and ethical issues in planning processes

General Assessment Information

Where can I find out more detailed information about assignments?

Please consult the folder in the GEOP8075 iLearn page labelled 'Assessment'. Here you will find more detailed instructions for each assessment item, marking criteria and rubrics. The assessment folder contains links to useful resources and guides. You are encouraged to post questions about assignments in the General Discussion Forum on the main iLearn page.

Group task - putting planning principles into practice

This assignment is a mixture of group and individual assessment. There is class-time dedicated to this task so that your group has an opportunity to work together on the assignment. Please note that 50% of the mark for the 'putting planning principles into practice task' is individually assessed. The individual component of the task requires you to submit a 500-word summary of three readings that you have individually selected and analysed for the group project - this should be written in your own words and reflect your unique contribution to the development of the planning principles.  You will be required to submit your written summary to Turnitin in iLearn by 12noon on Monday in Week 13.

The remaining 50% of the group project mark will be based on the quality of the group project and the presentation of your planning principles.  The group projects must be ready to present in class by 12noon in Week 13. 

Quizzes

Three quizzes each worth 10% will be given in Weeks 4, 6 and 10.  The quizzes will be a mix of multiple choice, or true/false type questions, and short format answers. The quizzes are time sensitive tasks that will be available for a limited amount of time on iLearn.   No late submissions or time extensions will be accepted for quizzes unless you have an approved special consideration request.

Handing in your assignments

Unless otherwise specified, you are required to submit your assignments by the time and date provided in this Unit Guide via the Turnitin link provided in iLearn. Please keep an electronic copy of your assignment and a record of your submission for reference. 

Late assignments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved,

(a) a penalty for lateness will apply – ten marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date  – and

(b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
In class quiz/test 30% No Quiz 1 17/3/22, Quiz 2 31/3/22, Quiz 3 12/5/22
Analysis of a planning project 35% No 26/4/22
Putting planning principles into practice 35% No 30/5/22

In class quiz/test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Quiz 1 17/3/22, Quiz 2 31/3/22, Quiz 3 12/5/22
Weighting: 30%

 

Quizzes will be used to test the development of knowledge and vocabulary of planning processes.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the basis for the theory and practice of planning and place-making processes
  • Describe the role of planners and stakeholders in the development of plans and planning principles at different levels of governance
  • Interpret plans and policies to identify and critically evaluate planning and design issues
  • Recognise the operation of values and ethical issues in planning processes

Analysis of a planning project

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 26/4/22
Weighting: 35%

 

Students will undertake a comprehensive analysis of a contemporary planning project and prepare a 2000 word report outlining the planning context, key issues identified and recommendations.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the basis for the theory and practice of planning and place-making processes
  • Interpret plans and policies to identify and critically evaluate planning and design issues
  • Prepare clear well-structured reports addressing planning issues which are suitable for a variety of audiences.
  • Recognise the operation of values and ethical issues in planning processes

Putting planning principles into practice

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 30/5/22
Weighting: 35%

 

Working in small groups, students will prepare a set of principles guiding planning public spaces. The group presentation will outline key definitions, the principles and stakeholders and be of a professional quality. The individual component of the task is a 800 word summary of research used to develop the planning principles.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the role of planners and stakeholders in the development of plans and planning principles at different levels of governance
  • Understand planning principles and their role in planning practice
  • Prepare clear well-structured reports addressing planning issues which are suitable for a variety of audiences.
  • Recognise the operation of values and ethical issues in planning processes

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

GEOP8075 is available as on-campus (internal) or online-flexible (external) offerings depending on the stream you have enrolled in.

For on-campus students the unit is delivered as a postgraduate seminar, on Mondays from 12 - 3pm  Unless advised otherwise, the first hour of class will be delivered as a pre-recorded Echo360 lecture in iLearn. You are required to listen to the lecture before attending class each week.  From 1.30 -  3pm Mondays you should attend the workshop in the timetabled room. The workshops comprise a mix of structured activities, small group work, guest presentations and discussion of the weekly readings. Class time has also been set aside for assignment preparation, individually and in groups. Workshops 1:30pm- 3:00pm Mondays: 25WW room A208

Online flexible (external) students will have the prerecorded lecture (available by 12noon on Mondays) and resources and activities available each week on iLearn under the label "Online-flexible option". These activities are self directed and it is up to individual students to manage their time to undertake the work.

Unit readings can be accessed via Leganto.  The Leganto link is located in the top right panel of the GEOP8075 iLearn main page.  Please contact Linda if you are having trouble accessing the readings as they are essential to your assignments and to the class discussions.

The GEOP8075 iLearn page contains additional resources in the 'Assessment' folder and under the weekly topic headings.  Please make sure that you regularly check the iLearn page and your Macquarie University student email for updates and information regarding this unit.

Unit Schedule

This is the schedule of topics to be addressed in the unit. The order may change if circumstances require it, and any updates will be shown on iLearn.

Week 1.     Introduction, and the role of planners

Week 2.     Planning theories

Week 3.     Planning systems

Week 4.     Planning and participation

Week 5.     Planning ethics  

Week 6.     Development assessment & determination

Week 7.     Planning in the public domain

Week 8.     PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Week 9.     Planning principles

Week 10.   Development and place-making

Week 11.   Place-making practices

Week 12.   No lecture or workshop - assessment preparation for group task

Week 13.   Presentations of the group 'putting planning principles into practice' task

*Please note that a more comprehensive unit schedule will be made available in iLearn.

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 2022.03 of the Handbook