URBPLAN 101/101G : Introduction to Urban Planning

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to the discipline of urban planning, examining its evolution, theory, practice, profession, ethics, values and future trends. Offers a critical exploration of the challenges facing urban planners today and into the future.

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the city, urban planning and sustainability, and examines the evolution of modern planning as an intellectual and professional movement.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

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 the role and practice of urban planning (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.3, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  2. Develop and demonstrate an awareness of how and why urban planning evolved as a discipline and profession internationally and within the Aotearoa-New Zealand context (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 8.3)
  3. Describe, analyse and consider current urban issues as a foundation for engaging in planning processes. (Capability 1.3, 2.2, 3.3, 4.3, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 30% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Final Exam

Students will also be required to complete the University of Auckland's Academic Integrity Course. The Academic Integrity Course will appear as a separate course on Canvas.

Teaching & Learning Methods

The course curriculum is delivered through lectures and tutorials. Advice on assignment preparation is provided, along with feedback on work submitted.

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.

During a typical teaching week, there will be 3 hours of lectures; and over the semester, 3 one hour tutorials. For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals to 36 hours (Note: there will be no teaching in the twelfth week, to allow for the School of Architecture and Planning's Studio Week). Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 114 hours across the entire semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments etc. 


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including lectures and tutorials, to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials, will not be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events, including tutorials. Attendance on campus is required for the exam (unless the University holds these online, and this will be advised).  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.

The Course Reading List is supplied on Canvas (through Talis) and organised by lectures. It will include texts (required readings), essential resources (extra readings of importance) and further resources (if you wish to follow up a thematic focus - for a particular assignment, or later in your education).  

'The City Reader'. Richard T. LeGates; Frederic Stout (editors). Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. 2020 (7th ed.) is a foundational text, and available through the University of Auckland Library (including online). 

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.

Overall, students were satisfied with the course and teaching. Some asked that the lectures be clumped rather than spread across the week. In 2023 lectures will continue to be delivered in three one-hour sessions, but feedback is welcomed on this format. 

Other Information

All assessments must be attempted to complete this course.  You must achieve 50% across the assessments to pass this course. 

The standard office hours at the University of Auckland are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. I do not attend student emails outside office hours, including public holidays. 

I shall be available for student meetings:
• On-campus Rm: 626, Building 421 -after lectures or by appointment (please email me:  e.aitken-rose@auckland.ac.nz)

Extensions for assessed coursework will only be considered if you can demonstrate that it is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside your control. You must contact me as soon as possible before the assessment is due. Last-minute time management requests for extensions will not be considered. The form for applying for an Extension is available on Canvas. 

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.