Course Title: Activity Centre Planning

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Activity Centre Planning

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO1220

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2012

HUSO2209

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Dr Benno Engels

Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925 3884

Course Coordinator Email: benno.engels@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8, Level 11

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course will examine the issues surrounding planning for activity centres. It will focus on: the purpose of policies directing development into activity centres; various examples of such policies internationally and from Australia; governance arrangements for optimal activity centre planning; issues relating to each of the key elements of activity centres – retailing, housing, employment, community facilities and transport.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

You will develop your theoretical understanding of this form of strategic planning and develop an appreciation of how policies and plans are translated into reality.


On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

  • Outline and analyse the purpose of activity centre policies;
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various national and international policy examples;
  • Summarise and analyse policy objectives and strategies which address:
    • retailing within and outside activity centres;
    • housing development in activity centres;
    • the provision of community facilities in activity centres;
    • transport access to activity centres; and,
    • the role of employment and commercial development in activity centres.
  • analyse the role of state and local governments in developing activity centre policies and strategies, and overseeing their implementation.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will attend one lecture, three 2 hour workshops and a two day conference. The conference will involve a range of presentations and you will be given the opportunity to interact with academic commentators and industry practitioners. These workshops will provide you with opportunities to engage with the course content and contemporary issues through participation and interaction with your peers..


Overview of Learning Resources

You will also be able to access to a wide range of online learning tools and content for your course from the student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. These resources will include a course reading list and a range of materials relevant to this course.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the graduate capabilities.
If undertaking this course at Postgraduate level you will be required to demonstrate a higher level of critical analysis and synthesis.

Assessment tasks may include but are not limited to written assignments totalling 3500 words for undergraduate and 4500-5000 for postgraduate students.

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester by your teachers and peers in class and/or online discussions, and through individual and/or group feedback on practical exercises.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document (http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc)