ABH452 Community Planning
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABH452 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (ABB254 or UXB231) and (ABB303 or UXH331) and (ABN402 or UXB330). ABN402 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as ABH452. |
| Equivalent(s): | UXH432 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,436 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABH452 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (ABB254 or UXB231) and (ABB303 or UXH331) and (ABN402 or UXB330). ABN402 can be enrolled in the same teaching period as ABH452. |
| Equivalent: | UXH432 |
| Coordinator: | Annah Piggott-McKellar | a.piggottmckellar@qut.edu.au |
Overview
In this capstone unit you will have the opportunity to refine and apply knowledge of and skills in community planning that have been developed during the course. The unit involves you in planning techniques and urban theory applicable to communities which is crucial to the practice of successful community planning initiatives. Gaining skills to confidently apply community planning techniques in urban planning is critical for a planning practitioner whether working in public or private sector. This unit discusses principles of community planning, the relationships of community planning to community development, issues of power and participation in the planning processes, and the linkages and tensions between local and professional knowledge in planning and policymaking. The unit also helps in applying knowledge and skills in understanding key community planning theories and concepts, and in applying methods and analysis to identify and respond to complex community issues.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply key community planning theories, strategies and policy frameworks to evaluate and respond to complex community issues.
- Identify community assets, issues and conflicts from the perspective of various stakeholders.
- Effectively communicate through visual and written communication methods.
- Identify and respond to complex community issues through the effective use of planning.
Content
The unit will develop students understanding of the theory and practice of community planning. We will discuss principles of community planning, the relationships of community planning to community development and community organising, issues of power and participation in the community planning processes, and the linkages and tensions between local and professional knowledge in planning and policy-making.
The unit will also explore specific topics such as housing, community design, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and involvement. Finally, we learn how to practice community planning techniques including community engagement, community mapping, developing and evaluating community indicators, problem solving, and cultural planning.
Learning Approaches
This unit employs a combination of lectures and workshops to engage students in collaborative learning in order to provide opportunities for you to advance your skills in analysis and evaluation, problem solving, collaboration and effective communication.
Your participation in the unit will include:
Independent preparation for lectures and workshops through online learning resources
Attendance at in person lectures to introduce key concepts and review and discuss your independent learning
Engagement in in person workshops to allow you to practice applying community planning techniques to real world scenarios
Engagement with community groups to help develop their capacity to respond to urban planning issues
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Weekly workshops and student presentations on draft assignment topics provide opportunities for feedback on developing knowledge and capacity.
You will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
1. Rubrics provided to show the expected standard for each criteria in an assessment item.
2. Comments returned to you via Canvas.
3. Lecture / consultation sessions will be available for group and individual feedback prior to assessment due dates and on completion of assessments.
Assessment
Overview
The summative assessment items in this unit will develop your capacity to understand the theory and practice of community planning through the analysis of a case study and engagement with a community capacity building planning project. Your learning will be assessed through Criteria Referenced Assessment sheets that are based on the application of the unit learning outcomes:
- Apply key community planning theories, strategies and policy frameworks to evaluate and respond to complex community issues.
- Identify community assets, issues and conflicts from the perspective of various stakeholders.
- Effectively communicate through visual and written communication methods.
Identify and respond to complex community issues through the effective use of planning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study
Acting as a community planner, you will investigate and report on the community assets, issues and conflicts that may be present in your selected case study. As part of this analysis you will conduct a critical literature review that will inform your report through the application of key theories related to community planning.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Community Capacity Building Project
Acting as a team of community planners working with community organizations and other stakeholders, you will produce a strategic report focusing on developing community-based capacity building strategies to achieve greater community engagement in planning activities and processes.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There may be costs associated with travel to meetings with community groups for the final project
Resources
Assigned Readings
Additional assigned readings will be available on the unit Canvas site.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Prior to any off campus class activities that you are required to undertake in this unit, a risk assessment will be prepared and made available to you at the MAPS library or on the unit Canvas site. You will receive a briefing regarding any specific hazard and risk related instructions from your field leader before commencing the activity.
Additional Costs:
Site visits to the study area will involve you in some travel expenses.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
Relates to: Case Study , Community Capacity Building Project - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Case Study , Community Capacity Building Project - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Case Study , Community Capacity Building Project - Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
Relates to: Case Study , Community Capacity Building Project