Students

GEOP1040 – Planning Systems

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Miriam Williams
miriam.williams@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Email for an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BPlan
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides students with an understanding of what is meant by planning, what theories underpin the practice of planning, and the historical basis for planning. Building on this foundation the unit will focus on what systems govern planning by drawing on planning system examples from overseas, Australia and NSW. The unit explores the key legal frameworks of these systems and introduces students to the organisations and stakeholders involved in planning. The unit critically evaluates the purpose of planning and its role in the creation of cities and development in Australia.

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: Identify and describe planning systems and legal frameworks.
  • ULO2: Draw on a range of academic and policy sources to examine key planning theories.
  • ULO3: Identify the role of key stakeholders, government and non-government actors in shaping planning systems.
  • ULO4: Apply key planning concepts to describe and explain contemporary planning issues.
  • ULO5: Deliver planning information effectively through text, oral and visual communication forms.

General Assessment Information

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-time 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 Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Report 40% No Monday 30/03/2025 11:55pm Individual No Open AI
Short essay 30% No Monday 4/05/2026 11:55pm Individual No Open AI
Planning in the media 30% No Presentations weeks 8,9,10&11. Report due 01/06/2026 11:55pm Individual and Group No Open AI

Report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Monday 30/03/2025 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

1,500 word report analysing and comparing the NSW planning system and another planning system.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe planning systems and legal frameworks.
  • Identify the role of key stakeholders, government and non-government actors in shaping planning systems.
  • Apply key planning concepts to describe and explain contemporary planning issues.
  • Deliver planning information effectively through text, oral and visual communication forms.

Short essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Monday 4/05/2026 11:55pm
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

1,000 word essay that evaluates a theoretical framework that has influenced urban planning
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Draw on a range of academic and policy sources to examine key planning theories.
  • Deliver planning information effectively through text, oral and visual communication forms.

Planning in the media

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Presentations weeks 8,9,10&11. Report due 01/06/2026 11:55pm
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Discussion and reflection on planning topics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe planning systems and legal frameworks.
  • Identify the role of key stakeholders, government and non-government actors in shaping planning systems.
  • Apply key planning concepts to describe and explain contemporary planning issues.
  • Deliver planning information effectively through text, oral and visual communication forms.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

This unit is devered in weekly three-hour classes on campus. This is your first core planning unit in the Bachelor of Planning and it is essential that you attend in order to learn the skills that you will need to develop throughout the course of your studies. These skills will best prepare you for employment as a planner. The unit content is not designed to be delivered online.

Teaching will be by way of lecture/presentations; guest speaker presentions, group discussions, skills development with hands-on activities, and some self-directed learning. Required and recommended readings can be accessed via Leganto.

GEOP1040 iLearn site will be the source of additional information, including any updates on delivery. Please check, open, and read any emails or announcements teaching staff as they may contain important updates and/or advice.

Unit Schedule

Module 1: Overview of Planning

Week 1  Introduction and historic basis of planning

Week 2  Purpose and role of planning in Australian cities

Module 2: Planning Systems

Week 3 Planning systems and governance

Week 4 Exploring planning systems

Week 5 Planning Theory

Week 6 Planning tools 1: zoning

Week 7 Planning tools 2: zoning/maps

Module 3: Planning Issues

Week 8 Public spaces/places

Week 9 Climate change

Week 10 Housing

Week 11 Ethics

Week 12 Resolving conflict

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 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.

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 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 2026.01R of the Handbook