Students
GEOP3080 – Urban Strategic Planning
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 and lecturer
Professor Donna Houston
Contact via Email
Room B263, 25 Wally's Walk (Arts Precinct Building)
Email to make an appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp including (GEOP212 or GEOP2080)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| 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-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.
Presentation expectation
• Assessment tasks should be properly referenced using the APA7 system of referencing.
• 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 | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI assisted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community video | 30% | No | 29/3/26 | Individual | No | Open AI |
| Plan workshop and presentation | 30% | No | 3/5/26 | Individual and Group | No | Open AI |
| Strategic plan preparation | 40% | No | 1/6/26 | Individual | No | Open AI |
Community video
Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 29/3/26
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI
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.
Plan workshop and presentation
Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 3/5/26
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI
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.
Strategic plan preparation
Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 1/6/26
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI
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.
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 will be delivered in a three hour workshop format on Mondays from 2 - 5pm in 17WW Room G08. On the first day of class, please be sure to check the timetable beforehand in case of a last minute room change.
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 please make sure that you check iLearn regularly.
URBAN STRATEGIC PLANNING (weeks 1-3)
1. Introduction to urban strategic planning
2. Drivers for change
3. Metropolitan and regional planning
STRATEGIC PLANNING IN PRACTICE (weeks 4-6)
4. Strategic planning under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979
5. Strategic planning in practice
6. Fieldtrip
STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLKIT (weeks 7-13)
7. Strategic planning toolkit
8. Public holiday (no class)
9. Community engagement
10. In class consultation
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:
- 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 2026.01R of the Handbook