Introduction to Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP5402025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Map the origin and evolution of urban and regional planning.Draft arguments about the planning system's strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate real-world documents. Direct your theoretical research towards areas like transport, retail and rural planning.
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 25 May 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $3,464
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Planning
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- explain the history and evolution of planning
- outline a range of planning theories and utopian visions
- identify ethical dilemmas in planning practice
- critically evaluate planning documentation
- demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism, paraphrasing and the principles of Academic Integrity.
- Introduction to Planning
- Planning Ethics
- The Origins of Modern Planning
- The Seers: Pioneer Thinkers in Urban Planning
- The Seers: Pioneer Thinkers in Urban Planning (European)
- Post WWII Planning
- 1960s Planning
- 1970s - 1990s Planning
- Planning Theories: From Modernism to Post-Modernism and Beyond
- The Planning Systems
- Substantive Planning Issues
- Insurgent Planning
The subject will cover the origins, evolution and development of the planning of settlements and cities, from indigenous planning to 21st Century planning. The emergence of modern planning as a profession and as a response to the health issues and problems associated with the industrial city. Utopian ideas and pioneer thinkers in planning. An overview of key planning theories, the evaluation of planning documentation and the ethics of planning practice.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Exercise (40%)
- Presentation (20%)
- Portfolio (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Access to hardware: webcam, speakers and microphone
- Other requirements - Audio video equipment required. Access to the Internet. Admission to degree may be required.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Graduate Certificate in Development Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP-GCE
PostgraduateOUA-PSU-GCE
Fast track your Curtin on campus study (Postgraduate)
PostgraduateCUR-FAST-MAS
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.