Students
GEOP4090 – Planning and Design
2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Zahra Nasreen
Contact via By email
B268 25 Wally's Walk
By appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to BPlan and (130cp at 1000 level or above) including ENVG370 or GEOP370 or GEOP3080
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
How does planning influence the design of cities, neighbourhoods, streetscapes and sites? This unit explores the relationship between planning and design. It builds upon the student's skills developed across the many subject areas of the planning program, including real world creative problem solving, collaboration, plan preparation and evaluation, inquiry based skills, and workplace readiness. The unit examines the tools available to planners to guide the built outcomes of places and provides an overview of the elements of urban design. Through exposure to subject matter experts, site visits and workshop exercises students will further develop the knowledge skills required of planners. |
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: Evaluate the role of planning for healthy built environments.
- ULO2: Identify and discuss the planner's role in communicating issues to different audiences.
- ULO3: Prepare strategic planning documents that show an understanding of the relationship between planning and design.
- ULO4: Explain and discuss the interplay between planning and design and the planner's various roles in this process.
- ULO5: Communicate and present complex issues clearly and succinctly.
- ULO6: Apply practical skills expected of a planner in the workplace.
General Assessment Information
Assessment requirements, submission and feedback
Detailed requirements and marking rubrics for each assessment task are available in iLearn under the "Assessments" label. All assessments (except for presentations) should be submitted via Turnitin using the relevant link provided in iLearn. Feedback and marks for each task will be provided via Turnitin by the posting date nominated in iLearn.
Late Assessment Submission Policy
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing a submission | 30% | No | 22 Aug 2025 11:55 pm |
| Analysis report | 30% | No | 19 Sep 2025 11:55 pm |
| Plan preparation | 40% | No | 3 Nov 2025 Presentation 4 pm Report 11:55 pm |
Preparing a submission
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 22 Aug 2025 11:55 pm
Weighting: 30%
You are to prepare a submission as a planner (1,000 words) on a draft policy/plan
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Prepare strategic planning documents that show an understanding of the relationship between planning and design.
- Communicate and present complex issues clearly and succinctly.
- Apply practical skills expected of a planner in the workplace.
Analysis report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 19 Sep 2025 11:55 pm
Weighting: 30%
This is a group project that will include a report (1,500 words) based on research and critical evaluation of constraints and opportunities as background for planning a small business centre, together with a presentation of findings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the role of planning for healthy built environments.
- Explain and discuss the interplay between planning and design and the planner's various roles in this process.
- Communicate and present complex issues clearly and succinctly.
- Apply practical skills expected of a planner in the workplace.
Plan preparation
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 3 Nov 2025 Presentation 4 pm Report 11:55 pm
Weighting: 40%
You are to prepare a structure plan for a small area within NSW. Your assessment submission will include a short report (1,500 words) explaining the context and basis for the plan and a plan illustrating your proposal.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and discuss the planner's role in communicating issues to different audiences.
- Prepare strategic planning documents that show an understanding of the relationship between planning and design.
- Explain and discuss the interplay between planning and design and the planner's various roles in this process.
- Communicate and present complex issues clearly and succinctly.
- Apply practical skills expected of a planner in the workplace.
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
The unit will be delivered over a series of seven workshops. The weeks are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. Teaching will include a combination of presentations by the convenor, guest presentations, group work, in-class activities, student-led discussion groups, field work, and some self-directed activities such as online recordings. Note, the delivery mode of this unit is on-campus only. Make sure you organise your time and commitments to enable attendance.
IMPORTANT
You should regularly and often check the unit iLearn site, and open and read any emails and announcements from the convenor as these may contain advice regarding delivery of the unit
Unit Schedule
The unit will incorporate scheduled lectures and workshops, and will invite a number of well-regarded planning industry specialists to speak with students and share their knowledge and experiences. Guest speakers will cover topic areas including politics, public domain planning, and master planning.
The topics for the unit workshops are as follows:
WEEK 1: Introduction to Planning and Design - 28 July
Overview of unit, assessments, concepts of design and planning, and their application in the public domain.
WEEK 3: Regulation and Policy - 11 August
Regulation and Policy relating to design in the NSW planning system.
WEEK 5: Public domain - 25 August
Case Study: Bankstown town centre
WEEK 7: Master plans - 8 September
Case study: Bowral South New Living Area.
WEEK 9: Planning for centes - 6 October
Structure plans.
WEEK 11: Neighbourhoods - 20 October
Neighbourhood character and local character analysis.
WEEK 13: Assignmnets - 3 November
Presentation (in-class) and Report
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.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/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.02 of the Handbook