Course Title: Planning and Environmental Regulation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Planning and Environmental Regulation

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1059

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Matt Gilbertson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: matthew.gilbertson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 11

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of legal systems in governing land use planning and the processes to regulate development. The course focuses on the Victorian planning system, while also providing examples form other jurisdictions and an introduction to state and national environmental laws. You will examine statutory planning in the context of planning principles and objectives and the relationship between statutory and strategic planning. You will analyse planning systems considering how well they work and how they might be improved. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Discern the value of information and knowledge from a wide variety of sources and experiences and reflect on and evaluate their application in planning practice and research 
  • Work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural and social sensitivity, environmental stewardship and ethical and reflective practice.  


Course Learning Outcomes 

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

  1. summarise principal planning and environmental legislation applying in Victoria and the procedures established under that legislation 
  2. outline and conduct processes for creating, amending and assessing planning development schemes and proposals 
  3. analyse planning schemes and apply to decision making contexts 
  4. evaluate the limitations of planning systems and argue for possible alternatives
  5. reflect on the ethical dimensions of professional practice, making determinations that take into account multiple viewpoints and competing imperatives. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Key concepts in this course will be developed through lectures and tutorials/discussions, all of which will be supported by online learning tools. The tutorials/discussions are supported by readings and you are expected to critically engage with these.  


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and RMIT library resources. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 

You will be expected to utilise library and electronic resources (as well as any other appropriate resources) to engage in the reading of academic literature. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. Recommended learning resources for each topic will mostly include journal articles and web resources but you will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.  

Assessment Tasks

  1. Reviewing Planning Regulation Instruments Task (10%) (Linked to CLO 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Reporting Planning Decisions Task (35%) (Linked to CLO 4 and 5)
  3. Reviewing Planning Decisions Task (10%) (Linked to CLO 1, 3 and 5)
  4. Understanding Planning Systems Assessment Task (45%) (Linked to CLO 1, 2 and 3) 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

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 manager or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.