URBPLAN 222 : Urban Economics

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A critical understanding of the principles of urban land use economics, how property markets work and how properties are developed, valued and financed, as well as how urban planning strategies can facilitate, or impede, efficient property markets.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: URBPLAN 101, 122-126 Restriction: URBPLAN 304

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of urban land economics e.g. land value and their impacts and implications for urban planning and design; (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.2, 7.3 and 8.1)
  2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different approaches of urban economics and urban land economics to suggest future-oriented solutions to the economic crises and downturn. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 3.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.2, 7.2 and 8.1)
  3. Be able to gain an understanding of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) theories and ability to apply them, and basic project feasibility analysis and market failures that is the rationale of the discipline of urban planning; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 6.3, 7.3 and 8.3)
  4. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking in urban land-use economics: to apply concepts and synthesise them with practical requirements in a rational approach; (Capability 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2 and 8.3)
  5. Explain the reasons why the market may not be efficient, and describe potential solutions to the market failures and inefficiencies from a planner’s point of view; (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2 and 8.3)
  6. Identify the dominant global trends of economy and their impacts on urban planning policies in New Zealand; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7.3 and 8.3)
  7. Apply a variety of skills including writing, speaking, reasoning presentation and collaboration as well as adequate ability through both individual and group course works; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.3, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.3)
  8. Demonstrate adequate skills in communicating urban planning ideas through writing and presentation design for various audiences e.g. peers, planners and critics as well as the instructors (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.3 and 8.3)
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of of the causes of housing crises and the criticism of urban planning specifically in terms of land supply (why are we blamed?!!). (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, 7.3 and 8.3)
  10. Analyse solutions to show how urban economics applied in planning may help to deal with the crises, improve well-being and respond to the future needs of cities. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2 and 8.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Portfolio - activities 35% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Group Coursework
Reports 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Portfolio - activities
Presentation
Reports

Teaching & Learning Methods

The pedagogy for the course is based on active learning and students-focused activities and all students are expected to participate in the lectures, LAB sessions and activities. In addition, the blended teaching is used as the appropriate approach to teaching in the digital technology era. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, you can expect  29 hours lectures,  4 hours working in LAB  117 hours self-study.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials and LAB sessions to complete components of the course. 

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials will be available as recordings as far as the university provides facilities for them. Students should be aware that there is no facility of recording for some of the course activities especially for the tutorials and LAB sessions.  

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The course has been designed basde on the feedback from students.

Other Information

Urban planning programme policy requires students to submit all coursework for the course. If a student does not submit all coursework including the exam, the student will fail the course.
- If a student does not submit more than half of the class tasks and quizzes, the student will fail the course.
The standard office hours at the University of Auckland are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Students' emails will not be responded outside office hours, including public holidays.
Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications by students should include information about the unexpected circumstances and should attach evidence to support this if available.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/11/2023 10:37 a.m.