Planning Theory and Context
PostgraduateCUR-URP5302025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Draw on lessons from the past as you consider the state of planning theory in the present.Incorporate theories from Foucault and Marx. Spot the broad trends that characterise the planning field. Use theoretical thinking to solve a practical problem.
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
Planning Theory and Context
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- explain how planning theories and urban theories shape and inform contemporary planning practice
- contextualise and explain the historical development of the central ideas and practices associated with the field of urban planning
- critically analyse the role of the planner and urban planning practice within broader social, political and global contexts
- apply theory to analyse and address emerging planning challenges
- Justifications for planning
- Theories of Urban Form and Structure
- Utopian Planning
- Rational Planning
- Communicative Planning
- Justice in Planning
- Neoliberalism
- Critical perspectives
- The environment and planning
- Postcolonial, settler colonialism and Southern theory
- Planning futures
- Unit review
This subject was previously known asPlanning Theory and Methodology.
Develop an understanding of the relationship between planning theories and practice, critically examine past and present trends in planning theories and practice, and investigate the links between theory and practice by exploring contemporary issues and case studies in urban and regional planning.
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.
- Case Study (35%)
- Portfolio (30%)
- Oral Presentation (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Audio / Video Conferencing
- Software requirements - Standard Media. Web links. Embedded multimedia. Podcasting / Lecture capture. Online assignment submission.
- Other requirements - Essential Textbook. Online Assessment. Printable format materials. Resources & Links.
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.
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What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP-MAS
PostgraduateOUA-PSU-GCE
Master of Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-MAS
PostgraduateCUR-MAA-MAS
Graduate Diploma in Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-GDI
Graduate Certificate in Environment and Climate Emergency
PostgraduateCUR-SCP-GCE
Fast track your Curtin on campus study (Postgraduate)
PostgraduateCUR-FAST-MAS
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