ABH454 Regional Planning

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit focusses on broader metropolitan and regional planning and development issues in Australia and worldwide. As part of this unit you will critically analyze and evaluate contemporary metropolitan and regional trends, challenges and policy responses and you will further develop your skills of analysis and synthesis and your capacity for large-scale strategic level thinking and planning in a real world context.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically examine metropolitan and regional planning systems, processes and policies in Australia and internationally
2. Apply research methods and data analysis skills to critically analyze current metropolitan and regional planning issues and policy responses in terms of formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Apply research methods and data analysis skills to the task of scenario-based planning for developing effective metropolitan and regional strategic frameworks
4. Effectively communicate through advanced visual and communication methods individually and in groups

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit employs active learning, project-based learning and self-directed learning to provide opportunities for you to practice your critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills.

Your participation in the unit will include:

• Independent preparation for lectures and tutorials through review of online resources introducing new concepts
• Attendance at in-person lectures to advance your knowledge of regional planning processes and policies
• Engagement in interactive tutorials to apply your knowledge and practice your analysis and problem solving skills

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Each assessment (if appropriate) will be marked against criteria and standards which will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and marking rubrics. Marked assessments will include feedback from markers against the criteria. 

General information and feedback on assignment tasks will be provided to the class.

You will share and discuss ideas with your peers during the development of your project (Assessment 2) and participate in review of your group members input into the group work. 

Assessment

Overview

Assessments in this unit have been designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge against the unit learning outcomes.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Regional Planning Report

You will prepare a research paper in which you will compare and evaluate governance systems, policies and planning processes and outcomes in two different metropolitan areas / regions (one from Australia and one from overseas) and provide recommendations for implementing effective metropolitan / regional strategies.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Integrated Future Regional Strategic Framework

You will conduct a scenario-based planning exercise for a metropolitan area / region of your choice that will inform the development of an integrated strategic planning framework for that area. 

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 are no extraordinary costs associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

1. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
   Relates to: Regional Planning Report, Integrated Future Regional Strategic Framework
2. Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
   Relates to: Regional Planning Report, Integrated Future Regional Strategic Framework