PLAN7141

Land Use Policy and Practice

Session 2, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Course Information

Course Staff

Course Overview
Course Summary
Aims
Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes

3
3
3
4
4

Teaching Strategies and Approach to Learning

Assessment

Weekly Course Schedule

Course Evaluation and Development

Expectation of Students

Student Support and Responsibilities

Administrative Matters

Course Evaluation and Development

Resources for Students

PLAN7141 S2 2016

COURSE INFORMATION
Units of Credit

Pre Requisites

None

Form of Teaching

Lectures and class discussion

Time and Location

Thursday 6.00pm 9.00pm

Webster Theatre A

COURSE STAFF
Course Coordinator

Laura Goh (laura.goh@unsw.edu.au)

COURSE OVERVIEW
COURSE SUMMARY
Land Use Policy and Practice introduces students to how planning systems are structured
and operate, engaging with the institutional frameworks and processes behind the delivery of
land use decisions and outcomes. This course aims to introduce students to the
administrative and governance contexts within which land use planning operates as a
function of government a function which has become increasingly complex and arguably
less coherent within the neoliberal political economy of Australian states and most advanced
economies internationally. Clear synergies between strategic and statutory functions are
illustrated throughout the course; however, the focus is on the design and implementation of
the planning system at State, regional and local scales with particular reference to NSW.
Through this lens, students are introduced to statutory and regulatory frameworks and
procedures which shape plan making processes, urban management activity and
development assessment decisions. As well as exploring how policy is formulated that
exercised through a variety of instruments and plans the course places emphasis on the
political and practical realities which impact upon institutional settings and their capacity to
apply fair and transparent land use decisions. Ongoing questions of Planning reform and
how the performance and outcomes delivered by current processes and systems are also
discussed. While the course is necessarily grounded in the NSW context, international
perspectives and comparative studies will be discussed throughout.

AIMS
This aims of this course are to:
1. Introduce students to how planning systems are structured and operate, and to
engage with the institutional frameworks and processes behind the delivery of land
use decisions and outcomes.
2. Introduce students to the administrative and governance contexts within which land
use planning operates as a function of government.

PLAN7141 S2 2016

3. Create an understanding of the complex forces (economic, social, environmental,

political, ideological etc) which operate in or impinge upon the planning system as
broadly defined and upon urban governance.
4. Engage with political and practical realities which impact upon institutional settings
and their capacity to apply fair and transparent land use decisions.
5. Examine ongoing questions of planning reform and outcomes delivered by current
processes and systems, across international, national and local contexts
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Recognise the significance of the planning system as a defining framework to land
use management
2. Understand the administrative or governance context within which planning operates
as a function of government
3. Critically appreciate the political, social, environmental and economic contexts within
which planning policy is formulated
4. Assess the effectiveness of the implementation of planning strategy and policy by
government
5. Evaluate the impact of external factors and negotiating stakeholder interests on the
formulation and implementation of planning policy
6. Appreciate the importance of professionalism and ethics in the roles and
responsibilities of the planner
7. Analyse the recent history of planning system reform and the drivers of that reform,
including monitoring the performance of planning systems
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
UNSW aspires to develop globally focussed graduates who are rigorous scholars, capable of
leadership and professional practice in an international community. The university has, thus,
articulated the following Graduate Capabilities as desired learning outcomes for all UNSW
students:
1.

2.

3.
4.

Scholars capable of independent and

collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their
analysis, critique and reflection, and able to
innovate by applying their knowledge and
skills to the solution of novel as well as
routine problems;
Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating
and embracing innovation and change, as
well as engaging and enabling others to
contribute to change
Professionals capable of ethical, selfdirected practice and independent lifelong
learning
Global citizens who are culturally adept and
capable of respecting diversity and acting in
a socially just and responsible way.

Global Citizens

Scholars

Leaders

Professionals

This course develops the following graduate attributes:

PLAN7141 S2 2016

UNSW Graduate Attribute

Learning
Outcome

Activity/Assessment

Scholars capable of independent and collaborative

enquiry (1a)

1, 2

All Assessments

Scholars rigorous in their analysis, critique and

reflection (1b)

3, 4, 5, 7

All Assessments

Professionals capable of ethical, self-directed

practice (3a)

All Assessments

TEACHING STRATEGIES AND APPROACH TO LEARNING

Land Use Policy and Practice is the principal course within the MCP where students are
exposed to the design and implementation of the planning system and in particular it
statutory functions related to land use decisions. The content and structure of the course is
based on the context that the planning system shapes land use and development decision
making, influences quality of life in various ways such as affecting equity and amenity, and
guides goals such as environmental protection and sustainability. In other words, there are
some vitally important outcomes or products arising from the decisions behind, and
application of, land use planning. Land Use Policy and Practice looks at the planning system
from a perspective that seeks to explain and interrogate planning action, its policy context
and determining forces. Fundamental questions relating to planning decision making - why?
how? and for whom? underpin this course. The nature of the subject material covered in this
course, often explored through case studies, is conducive to in-class debate.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment task

Weight

Learning
outcomes
assessed

Graduate
attributes
assessed

Due date

1. Land Use Policy Framework Essay

40%

1, 2,

1a, 1b, 3a

8 September 2016

2. Planning Bodies Case Study Task

20%

3, 4

1a, 1b, 3a

6 October 2016

3. Land Use Policy Issues Essay

40%

5, 6, 7

1a, 1b, 3a

10 November 2016

Further details on the assessment of this course will be made available throughout the
session.
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

In order to pass Land Use Policy and Practice, students must gain a mark of at least
50% in the course overall.
Students are expected to attend 100% of all scheduled classes. Attendance at classes
may affect your final grade.

PLAN7141 S2 2016

Late assignments without prior approval will be penalised. Please see the Built
Environment and UNSW Academic Policies document (available on Moodle) for further
information.
It is compulsory that ALL students attach a signed Plagiarism Declaration Form to each
assignment at the time of submission to the Student Centre or course convenor.
Declaration forms can be downloaded from Moodle.
All assignments must be completed. Final result will not be issued until all components
have been submitted.
Please keep a (hard or electronic) copy of all assignments submitted.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
You will be assessed on how well you meet the requirements for each component of each
assessment task. Your assignments and workshops should be professional and meet the
highest standards of written presentation, with minimal grammar, spelling or punctuation
errors. Marking criteria include:
Minimum presentation requirements: appropriate length; referencing and bibliography;
layout.
Format: clear structure and logical organisation of argument; writing quality; spelling and
punctuation; inclusion of appropriate figures, tables and illustrations.
Problem and methodology: clarity and conciseness of expression; strength/coherence of
argument and explanation; use of relevant literature; use of supporting examples/case
studies; ultimately answers the question(s) posed.
Intellectual contribution: quality of critical thinking where required; treatment of theoreticalconceptual framework where appropriate.

PLAN7141 S2 2016

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

Week/Date
Week 1
28 July

Topics
Introduction to Land Use Policy
and Practice
The Objectives of Planning
Ideologies of Planning

Readings
Williams and Maginn 2012
Wildavsky 1973

Week 2
4 August

Land Use Policy Framework (Part 1)

Introduction to Urban Governance
Role of the Federal Government
National Urban Policy

Kelly 2013
Ludlam 2013
Dodson 2015

Week 3
11 August

Land Use Policy Framework (Part 2)

Role of the State Government
State Strategic Plans
State development corporations
and redevelopment authorities
Land Use Policy Framework (Part 3)
The panelisation of planning
Sources of Local Power
Reform of Local Government
Land Use Policy Issue: Managing Urban
Growth
Land Use Policy Issue: Funding Open
Space
Land Use Policy Issue: Affordable
Housing

Rogers 2016
Schatz and Rogers 2016
Spiller 2014
Searle 2006

Week 4
18 August

Week 5
25 August
Week 6
1 September
Week 7
8 September
Week 8
15
September
Week 9
22
September
Week 10
6 October
Week 11
13 October
Week 12
20 October
Week 13
27 October

Land Use Policy Issue: Funding urban

development and infrastructure

Bishop 2014

Williams and Williams 2016

Williams 2016
Foley and Williams 2016
Gurran and Phibbs 2015
Land Use Policy Framework
Essay Due
Readings TBA

BE Reading Week (No Class)

Mid Semester Break
Land Use Policy Issue: Urban Policy and
Politics
Land Use Policy Issue: Planning policy
and the negotiation of stakeholder
interests
Land Use Policy Issue: Supervision,
performance monitoring and scrutiny of
the planning system
Land Use Policy Issue: Planning Reform

Freestone and Williams 2012

Planning Bodies Case Study
Task Due
Martens 2007
Pierre 2011
Readings TBA
Readings TBA
Land Use Policy Issues Essay
Due 10 November 2016

Please note that the above course program is subject to variation. Readings will be available
on Moodle.

PLAN7141 S2 2016

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Attendance at lectures and workshops is expected. The learning, feedback and
assessments that occur within classes are invaluable to student progress. Failure to attend
scheduled classes often results in students missing the opportunity to develop the
capabilities expected to be demonstrated within assignment work. Absence from classes
may affect your final grade.

STUDENT SUPPORT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Planning Program wants you to perform as well as possible in all your courses. Contact
the appropriate people as early as possible if you are having problems. For issues arising in
this course:
PLAN7141 matters

Course Lecturer Laura Goh

Academic matters

Program Director or Course Lecturer

Administrative matters

FBE Student Centre

Learning matters

UNSW Learning Centre

Serious personal matters affecting

learning and participation

Course Lecturer, then Program Director,

and possibly the UNSW Counselling
Service

If you are experiencing any difficulty with the course, have any questions, or would like to
pursue some aspect of study further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Email is a good
means of contacting me: my email address is laura.goh@unsw.edu.au

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The Built Environment and UNSW Academic Policies document supplements this course
outline providing detail on academic policies and other administrative matters. It is your duty
as a student to familiarise yourself with the policies and guidelines as not adhering to them
will be considered as academic misconduct. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable
defence.
The document can be found in your Blackboard course as well as:
http://www.be.unsw.edu.au/student-intranet/academic-policies
It covers:

Built Environment Student Attendance Requirements

Units of Credit (UOC) and Student Workload
Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI)
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Late Submissions Penalties

PLAN7141 S2 2016

Special Consideration - Illness & Misadventure

Extension of Deadlines
Learning Support Services
Occupational Health & Safety

COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The Planning Program is committed to regularly reviewing its courses. Students evaluative
feedback on different courses is gathered, using among other means, UNSW Course and
Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI) Process. Student feedback is taken
seriously, and continual improvements are made to the course based in part on such
feedback. Significant changes to the course will be communicated to subsequent cohorts of
students taking the course. End of year surveys are also conducted by the Program to
assess overall levels of satisfaction and to identify any particular problematic issues. These
surveys are qualitative and augment the largely quantitative data collected via CATEI.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Reference books
Beer, A., Maude, A. & Pritchard, B. (2003) Developing Australias Regions: Theory and
Practice, UNSW Press, Sydney
Byrne, J., Sipe, N. & Dodson, J. (eds.) (2014) Australian Environmental Planning:
Challenges and Future Prospects, Routledge, London.
Clune, D. & Smith, R. (2012) From Carr to Keneally: Labor in office in NSW 1995-2011,
Allen &Unwin, Sydney.
Dollery, B. & Marshall, N. (eds) (1997) Australian Local Government: Reform and Renewal,
Macmillan Education Australia, South Melbourne.
Griffith University Research Monographs, available at:
http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/urban-researchprogram/publications/research-monographs.
Farrier, D. and Stein, P. (eds.) (2011) The Environmental Law Handbook, 5th ed., Redfern
Legal Centre Publishing, Sydney.
Freestone, R.G. (ed) (1993) Spirited Cities, The Federation Press, Leichhardt.
Freestone, R. (ed.) (2000) Urban Planning in a Changing World: The Twentieth Century
Experience, E & FN Spon, London.
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Forster, C. (1999) Australian Cities: Continuity and Change, 2nd ed., Oxford University
Press, South Melbourne.
Gibson, B. & Watson, S. (eds.) (1994) Metropolis Now, Pluto Press, Leichhardt.
Gleeson, B. (2010) Lifeboat Cities, UNSW Press, Kensington.
Gleeson, B. & Low, N. (2000) Australian Urban Planning: New Challenges, New Agendas,
Allen & Unwin, St Leonards Sydney.
Gurran, N. (2012) Australian urban land use planning: Principles, systems and practice, 2nd
ed., Sydney University Press, Sydney.
Hamnett, S. & Bumker, R. (1987) Urban Australia: planning issues and policies, Nelson,
Melbourne.
Hamnett, S. & Freestone, R. (2000) The Australian Metropolis, Allen & Unwin., St. Leonards,
Sydney.
Haughton, G. & Counsell, C. (2004) Regions, Spatial Strategies and Sustainable
Development, Routledge, London.
McLoughlin, J.B. & Huxley, M. (1986) Urban planning in Australia: critical readings, Longman
Cheshire, London.
Murphy, P. & Watson, S. (1997) Surface City, Pluto Press, Leichhardt.
OECD (2001) Towards a New Role for Spatial Planning, Oxford UP, Oxford
Pritchard, B. & McManus, P. (2000) Land of Discontent: The Dynamics of Change in Rural
and Regional Australia, UNSW Press, Sydney
Sandercock L. & Berry M. (1983) Urban political economy; the Australian case, Allen &
Unwin, Sydney.
Scott, A. (1998) Regions and the World Economy, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Scott, A. (ed) (2001) Global City-Regions: Trends, Theory, Policy, Oxford University Press,
Oxford.

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Simmonds, R. & Hack, G. (2000) Global City Regions, Spon Press, London
Stein, L. (2008) Principles of Planning Law, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
Stein, J. (ed.) (1995) Classic readings in urban planning: an introduction, McGaw Hill, New
York.
Stilwell, F. (1992) Understanding Cities and Regions, Pluto Press, Sydney
Stilwell, F. (1993) Reshaping Australia: urban problems and policies, Pluto Press, Sydney.
Storper, M. (1997) The Regional World: Territorial Development in a Global Economy, The
Guilford Press, New York
Thompson, S. & Maginn, P. (ed.) (2012) Planning Australia: An overview of urban and
regional planning, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne.
Troy, P.N. (ed.) (1995) Australian cities. Issues, strategies and policies for urban Australia in
the 1990s, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Troy, P.N. (1996) The perils of urban consolidation. A discussion of Australian housing and
urban development policies, Federation Press, Leichhardt.
Useful Journals:
-

Australian Planner
New Planner
Australian Geographer
Urban Policy and Research Journal

Government publications:
-

NSW Department of Planning: Planning for our future, which can be accessed at:
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/en-us/policyandlegislation/planningforourfuture.aspx

NSW Government: NSW Planning System Review Website:

http://www.planningreview.nsw.gov.au/Home/tabid/77/Default.aspx

NSW Department of Planning and Environment: Regional Growth Plans

Metropolitan Sydney:
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/enus/planningyourregion/regionalgrowthplans/metropolitansydney.aspx

NSW Department of Planning and Environment: A Plan for Growing Sydney:

PLAN7141 S2 2016

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http://www.strategy.planning.nsw.gov.au/sydney/
-

NSW Department of Planning: Performance Monitoring, which can be accessed at:

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/PlanningSystem/PerformanceMonitoring/tabid/74/lan
guage/en-US/Default.aspx

Additional references - websites

A useful Internet source to keep up to date with changes to NSW planning law and policy is
the NSW Government Home Page (address: https://www.nsw.gov.au/). Under the home
page is listed all the various NSW government agencies. A particularly worthwhile web site
to visit is that of the Department of Planning and Environment at
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/. The site contains several useful web pages, including the
Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney, NSW Planning Reforms and News Centre (which reports
recent changes to the planning system, media releases etc).
Further helpful NSW State Government websites are those of Sydneys Growth Centres:
http://growthcentres.planning.nsw.gov.au/, the Office of Local Government:
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/, Department of Industry: http://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/,
and the Office of Environment and Heritage:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/index.htm.
At the Commonwealth/national level, you should refer to the Department of Infrastructure
and Regional Development (https://infrastructure.gov.au/), and units within this Department
such as Infrastructure Australia http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/).
Local Government NSW has an informative site, which also links into the websites of all
local councils in NSW (http://www.lgnsw.org.au/).
Finally, the websites of the Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division)
(http://www.planning.org.au/nsw/), the NSW Environmental Defenders Office
(http://www.edonsw.org.au/), the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW
Division) (http://www.udiansw.com.au/), the Urban Taskforce
(http://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/) and the Property Council of Australia
(http://www.propertyoz.com.au/) are always helpful.
Newspapers particularly The Sydney Morning Herald are a good source of contemporary
information. As well as keeping you up to date with relevant issues, topics referred to in
newspapers can then be further researched, for example in official or reputable websites.
COVER PAGE IMAGE SOURCE: http://politicoid.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SuburbanSprawl.jpg

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