phd in urban planning in australia

PhD (Global, Urban & Social Studies)

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Cultivate high-level research skills in the humanities and social sciences.

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Research Training Scheme

See admissions

AU$32,640 (2025 annual)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the humanities and social sciences cultivates high-level skills in research processes, advanced communication skills, analysis and synthesis of knowledge.

You’ll develop and extend your expertise, widen your networks, enhance your career prospects and produce socially useful research. You'll create a thesis or research project that makes a substantial and original contribution to an existing body of knowledge.

Individually supervised research programs are available in three key areas: the social, the urban and the global.

RMIT University has particular expertise in the fields of:

• urban planning and housing studies
• sustainability
• criminology
• globalisation, languages and cultures studies
• applied linguistics, translating and interpreting
• international development and relations
• community development
• social and public policy
• social work.

Through the program you’ll access and nurture industry partnerships and collaboration with other researchers while gaining creative, technical and communication skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts.

How you will learn

Research at rmit, time spent on research.

Full-time candidates are expected to commit at least four days per week (or at least two days per week for part-time candidates) to their research. The academic year is 48 weeks.

Regular contact with your supervisor

A schedule of meetings with your supervisor/s must be established to assess progress against milestones and timely completion.

Resources, facilities and support

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

You will be part of an active research community and have access to resources and workshops to help you succeed.

School of Graduate Research

The School of Graduate Research works with Schools to further support candidates during their postgraduate research degree.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Learning outcomes

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the  learning outcomes .

Electives and course plan

You will complete this program under academic supervision.

The PhD program is structured to enable you to:

• complete a compulsory research methods course
• receive training in research integrity and ethics
• select studies in qualitative and quantitative research techniques
• complete a thesis/project which demonstrates your original contribution to the field and your ability to communicate complex or original research for peers and the community to an international standard

Research integrity modules

You are required to complete the online modules:

• Research integrity
• Copyright and intellectual property

Research methods for engineering and related disciplines

Research methods courses step you through the literature review and preparing your research proposal for confirmation of candidature. They are taught in large discipline groups.

You may need to complete an ethics module to ensure your research is ethical and responsible.

Research techniques

You may elect to take (where relevant) electives in qualitative or quantitative research techniques once data collection has begun. You can use your own data to explore different research analysis techniques. Your supervisor will help you decide when you should take these electives.

Co-curricular activities

You are encouraged to participate in activities offered with the university, college and school according to your needs and interests.

This PhD may be undertaken in a project, thesis by publication or thesis mode. Prospective candidates should discuss these modes of submission with their potential supervisor/s.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

*The maximum duration of the PhD program is 4 years full-time and 8 years part-time. However, candidates are expected to complete their program within 3-4 years full-time equivalent and 6-8 years part-time equivalent.

*The maximum duration of the PhD program is 4 years full-time. However, candidates are expected to complete their program within 3-4 years full-time equivalent.

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

This program equips you with a nationally and internationally recognised qualification. Graduates are employed in tertiary academic positions, research centres and institutes, and senior leadership and management positions in a variety of education environments.

You may also be employed in senior leadership and management positions in government, non-government organisations and corporations.

Minimum requirements for admission

Prerequisites, selection tasks.

The minimum requirements for admission to a PhD program are:

• a bachelor degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology courses that constitute at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent). The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction average in the final year;  or
• a master degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent) with an overall distinction average or a master degree without a research component with at least a high distinction average;  or
• evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

At RMIT a grade of distinction represents academic achievement of 70% or higher and a high distinction is 80% or higher.

If you are a current master by research candidate, you are able to apply for a transfer to a doctor of philosophy program through the process prescribed in the  RMIT Higher Degree by Research policy .

These entrance requirements are the minimum academic standard you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the program. You will need to complete a selection task as part of your application.

A selection process will be conducted in conjunction with the School and supervisors you nominate.

For further information on the steps you need to take to apply for a research program see  How to apply – Research programs .

English language requirements

Research proposal and supervisor.

You must attach a substantive research proposal that is 2 to 5 pages in length which articulates the intent, significance and originality of the proposed topic using the following headings:

a) title / topic b) research questions to be investigated in the context of existing research/literature in the area c) significance and impact of the research d) methodology / research tasks required to undertake the research e) particular needs (e.g. resources, facilities, fieldwork or equipment that are necessary for your proposed research program, if applicable).

Your application will not be considered if you have not discussed your research topic with a proposed senior and associate supervisor or joint senior supervisors. You must provide the names of the academic staff in the school you have applied to and with whom you have discussed your proposed research.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
• TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit  English language requirements and equivalency information .

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at  RMIT English Worldwide .

You can gain entry to this program from a range of RMIT four year  Bachelor and Honours degrees  or  Postgraduate  or Masters by Research programs.

Fee summary

Fee information for masters by research and doctorate (PhD) programs.

If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place where your tuition costs are funded by the Commonwealth Government under the RTS and you have full exemption from tuition fees.

Acceptance in an RTS place is very competitive and places are granted on the condition that you meet annual progress requirements and complete within the allotted time for your program and your status as a part-time or full-time candidate.

This means a maximum of 2 years for a full-time Masters by Research or 4 years for a PhD (or the equivalent part-time).

Contact the School of Graduate Research for more information.

The  student services and amenities fee (SSAF)  is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

In addition to the SSAF there may be  other expenses  associated with your program.

Income tax deductions

Candidates may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to their employment. See the  Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website  for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

International applicants

• Fees information  for international candidates looking to study at RMIT's Melbourne campuses.
• PhD  and  masters by research  fees for international candidates studying offshore. 

Other costs

Important fee information.

Find out more details about  how fees are calculated  and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a  refund  as a continuing international student.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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• Open Universities Australia

36 Best universities for Urban and Regional planning in Australia

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Australia ranked based on their research performance in Urban and Regional planning. A graph of 192K citations received by 9.72K academic papers made by 36 universities in Australia was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Melbourne

For Urban and Regional planning

2. University of Queensland

3. Monash University

4. University of New South Wales

5. Queensland University of Technology

6. Australian National University

7. Griffith University

8. University of Sydney

9. Curtin University

10. Macquarie University

11. University of Western Australia

12. RMIT University

13. University of South Australia

14. Western Sydney University

15. Murdoch University

16. University of Technology Sydney

17. University of Adelaide

18. Deakin University

19. University of Tasmania

20. University of Newcastle

21. La Trobe University

22. Flinders University

23. University of Wollongong

24. University of Canberra

25. Swinburne University of Technology

26. University of New England, Australia

27. James Cook University

28. Charles Sturt University

29. Southern Cross University

30. Victoria University

31. University of the Sunshine Coast

32. Central Queensland University

33. Edith Cowan University

34. Australian Catholic University

35. University of Southern Queensland

36. Charles Darwin University

The best cities to study Urban and Regional planning in Australia based on the number of universities and their ranks are Melbourne , St Lucia , Clayton , and Sydney .

Environmental Science subfields in Australia

Built Environment (Practice-based PhD)

The practice-based PhD is aimed at practitioners operating within or across the broad range of disciplines represented in the school, from architecture and design to planning and construction. Early and mid-career, and senior practitioners, will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and methodologies they've developed in the field within a broader framework of critical and rigorous scholarly enquiry. The expanded range of interrogative, analytical and evaluative skills developed during their candidatures should directly enhance their own practice.

Key information

A practice-based PhD is available across all disciplines represented in the School of Built Environment: 

architecture

city planning

computational design 

construction management and property

industrial design

interior architecture 

landscape architecture.

The primary aim of the practice-based PhD is to contribute new knowledge to the field through systematic investigation. A candidate will apply the research value of the knowledge, skills and methodologies developed as a practitioner within a broader framework of critical enquiry and analysis. It's expected that the candidate will generate a new body of ideas-based, creative work (the project) and a written work (the dissertation) that will make an original contribution to knowledge within the field. 

The project may take one of a number of different forms, such as architectural design, urban design and planning, construction methods and technologies, industrial design, interior design, and landscape design. It could also cross a number of disciplines. The chosen medium can also vary, for example, it might take the form of objects, drawings, plans, prototypes, models, creative text, digital fabrication, film, virtual reality, or a combination of these. The requirement, however, is that the project can be fully documented in electronic form for the purposes of examination.

The dissertation is a substantial research-based academic essay that bears a direct relationship to the project. Together the dissertation and the project comprise the PhD thesis.

To assist commencing students in developing an appropriate research methodology, candidates are required to undertake a course in their first session - BENV7020 Research Seminar.

Candidates undertaking a practice-based PhD will also be required to undertake a specialised Thesis Writing Workshop run by UNSW Learning Centre. 

For information on the structure of the program, please refer to the  UNSW Online Handbook .

For information on how a practice-based PhD is examined, please refer to  Notes For Examiners .

 Who are the candidates?

Are you an established and passionate practitioner operating within or across the broad range of disciplines represented in the School of Built Environment like architecture and urban design, city planning, computational design, construction management and property, industrial design, interior architecture and landscape architecture? 

Are you interested in developing rigorous critical thinking and knowledge creation to improve your practice and the industry?

Based on your direct experience as an established practitioner in the built environment industry, you will generate a project through robust critical research. 

The research project would result from historically and scientifically broadening and contextualising the field of enquiry.

Reflection, experimentation and testing boundaries within your field will narrow the PhD topic to a sharp, focused and manageable research project.

Why begin a research project? 

Research projects will affect, benefit and reward industry by improving and expanding your services to clients.  

Discipline and interdisciplinary oriented research projects will shape the future of our cities and allow you, as a practitioner, to become a global leader in your field.

Your research project will encourage, promote and support collaboration between academia and industry. 

Where to look for funding sources? 

Your close working relationship with the industry can potentially lead to funding, where the research topic is aligned with the industry’s future visions. (For example, design-construction-developer companies, construction material industries/associations) 

Architecture 

Architecture and social agency .

Project aim:  the broader aim is to contribute to the growing discourse on community development and social agency in vulnerable communities. The history of humanitarian concerns in development delivery stem from colonisation and top-down practices. Practice-based PhD candidate Renate Carius’ research project focuses on participatory design processes set within the context of post-disaster reconstruction in Nepal. Current fieldwork serves as a case study to explore how reflexive design can contribute to local agency in informal settlements. 

Project findings:  Findings from the process could contribute to future knowledge on co-design strategies and policy in vulnerable communities for social agency.  

Architecture and urban condition 

Project aim:  by integrating the building to the city and its urban landscape, the aim of the practice-based PhD in architecture and the urban condition is to question the role of architecture in responding with contemporary and progressive design of volumes, spaces, public/private human activities and use of materiality to the existing urban fabric.

Project findings:  research findings from critical forward-thinking and imaginative practitioners will enhance research about ‘urban contiguity’ - how considering the existing urban context and envisioning a new project complement each other; how rethinking and integrating urban high-density and public infrastructure with multigenerational/affordable housing, public activities and educational institutions will create a more liveable community.   

Architecture and housing 

Project aim:  Diane Jones’ PhD proposal looks at the cultural shift and interest in urban settings which are not age or otherwise segregated for integrated communities embedded within the existing urban context. This intersects with the perceived benefits and realities of high density living in a compact city. The aim is to understand the architectural design attributes of wellbeing for people who are aging within purposefully designed high rise living settings- in an integrated (across generations and uses) community within an urban context. How do architectural design decisions in practice align with people’s experiences of wellbeing? 

Project findings:  the proposal will work towards the development of a suite of principles that are evidence-based - that can be organised as an evaluative matrix, which can be used to brief, design and evaluate the spatial experiences that contribute to people’s wellbeing and continuing vitality and vibrancy as they grow older. 

Construction

Construction and project management .

Project aim:  despite its contribution to the global and national economies, the construction industry is notorious for being unsafe. In such an environment, project management personnel play an important role in leading safety task implementation and creating positive safety climate in construction projects. This, subsequently, leads to accident prevention through the efforts of eliminating unsafe acts and conditions. To do so, project management personnel need to possess sufficient skills. Therefore, this present research has investigated the role of project management personnel’s skills (comprising conceptual, human, political and technical skills) in implementing safety management tasks and developing safety climate. 

Project findings:  this research has identified four essential skills and 15 skill components of project management personnel to manage construction safety. Visioning, self-awareness and apparent sincerity are the foundation skills; scoping and integration, and self-management are the first-tier mediator skills; whilst social awareness, social astuteness and relationship management are the second-tier mediator skills. A significant contribution of this research to construction safety practice is the development of a model that portrays skill applications and development processes for project management personnel to implement safety management tasks and develop safety climate. The model recommended assists construction organisations to identify skill shortages and make decisions on their human resource development strategies and plans. 

Computational design 

Project aim and findings:  computational design is moving from promise to practice. Where PhD research in the early years of computational design often engage with provocative form finding and experiments in computation and computing, a practice-based PhD in Computational Design aims to tackle problems in the industry. The Computational Design degree and its HDR extensions sees itself as the research and development department for local, national and international firms investigating third horizon challenges spanning from Machine Learning / AI, to bio-mimicry, to AR/VR, robotic and digital fabrication, to smart cities and responsive environments and performance and optimisation of design, architecture, structure and cities. 

As established practitioners, PhD applicants can bring firm-specific third horizon challenges into the PhD investigation and answer the research question through academic supervision within the school, but also, depending on the topic, within the university. The PhD student can further make use of the Design Futures Lab with its extensive range of collaborative and industry robots, AR/VR and sensing and capturing facilities, as well as conventional making.

Industrial design 

Project aim and findings:  a practice-based PhD in Industrial Design is aimed at mid-career and senior practitioners operating within the field of industrial design. Candidates will contribute new knowledge to the field through critical and rigorous self-reflection, systematic investigation, scholarly enquiry and analysis of their own design practice; including the knowledge, skills and methodologies they developed as a practitioner. 

The aim is to document, make explicit and voice this research knowledge, which is otherwise inherent and implicit in their ongoing design practice. In return, the candidates’ own practice will be enhanced with the expanded range of interrogative, analytical and evaluative skills developed during the practice-based PhD. Outcomes of a practice-based PhD are expected to be in the form of a combined project, generating a new body of ideas-based/creative work and a written dissertation that together will make an original contribution to knowledge, enabling the candidate to become a recognized authority within the field. 

City planning

Project aim:  the development of affordable housing in mixed-tenure neighbourhoods is frequently meant with opposition from local residents, planners, politicians and the media. This opposition can lead to costly construction delays and amendments for affordable housing developers and, in some cases, may even force the abandonment of projects. In the most high-profile cases, the opposition threatens to undermine political and public support for affordable housing provision. There has been much research on the phenomenon of community opposition to affordable housing development in the USA, but there is almost no equivalent research in Australia.  

Project findings: Gethin Davison’s PhD research found that most affordable housing proposals are not controversial, but a small number of high-profile cases undermine political and public support for affordable housing provision. This project also contributes to understanding the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) movement in Australia. Levels of opposition to affordable housing tend to be greater in relatively wealthy areas, especially where there is no precedent for multi-unit development or affordable housing. In particular, opposition to affordable housing is highly localised, with most submissions made against affordable housing proposals coming from people living close to the site. Planning assessment processes can generate or exacerbate community opposition to affordable housing, especially where community involvement is limited.  

Sustainable built environment 

Project aim:  in recent years, the planning, design and installation of “green infrastructure” at the local and city level have been identified as a best practice and nature-based solution to achieving greater urban sustainability and resilience. This project aims to develop an indicator-based model using a mixed-method approach to evaluate the performance of urban green infrastructure. This model is composed of a set of sixteen key indicators within four subcategories: ecological; health and wellbeing; sociocultural; and economic. Each represents key interactions between human health, ecosystem services and ecosystem health. This model is tested, validated and verified through a case study in Sydney, Australia. 

Project findings:  the significance of the research is that the derived indicator-based model provides an opportunity to understand the complex relationships of the multidimensional structure of urban green spaces. It provides a useful insight for urban designers and decision-makers in monitoring various aspects of the urban ecosystem, and it also allows for early warnings regarding any undesirable changes in sustainability levels. 

Appropriate undergraduate degree with first or upper second-class honours or a completed Masters by Research degree, or academic qualification(s) considered equivalent.

Candidates may be admitted to the PhD program after one year's full-time enrolment in a Masters by Research program with the approval of the School Higher Degree Research Committee.

In exceptional cases, an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications, as may be approved by the School Higher Degree Committee, may be permitted to enrol for the degree. English language requirements apply. Please refer to  UNSW’s English Requirements Policy .

Learn more about our  higher degree research programs . 

Postgraduate Research Scholarships (RTP, UPA, TFS): allow at least eight weeks from the time of submitting your application to the School HDC to the closing date for the university’s scholarship rounds. For more information, please see the  Graduate Research School website . See deadlines for  UNSW apply online applications and scholarships .

• Centre of Research recognised by industry and wider community
• Academic support by highly qualified and experienced academics
• Supervision by some of the top researchers in their fields
• Regular knowledge-sharing workshops and seminars
• Quality research facilities
• Dedicated research space for every full-time candidate
• Financial support (additional to any scholarship).

• Melbourne School of Design
• Disciplines

Urban Planning

Urban Planning promotes the establishment of economically viable, socially just, environmentally sustainable, and safe and healthy human settlements. It has never been more timely than now, as we adapt to global changes that impact our cities.

Urban planning at the Melbourne School of Design is influential in the rapidly expanding city of Melbourne. We are actively involved in State policy, particularly in the areas of affordable housing, public housing, healthy cities, public transport and the future of urban planning for autonomous vehicles.

Our teaching and research deal with challenges such as climate change, deepening inequality often associated with diminished local democracy and the rise of community advocacy, growing concerns for community health and safety, and the emergence of global city-regions that require innovations in governance and planning.

Our curriculum and research activity reflects the importance of interdisciplinary learning in this complex field of endeavour, the importance of the task of communicating strong research on policy and practice, and critical enquiry backed by sound analytical method.

Our students are encouraged to develop high quality skills in theoretical and applied knowledge, engage with key contemporary planning ideals, ethics and debates, and to undertake supervised and self-directed learning, as part of their preparation for urban planning careers in Australia and internationally.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate study in Urban Planning is taught through the  Bachelor of Design .

Study the Bachelor of Design (Urban Planning major)

Find out about the coursework and research programs in Urban Planning:

• Master of Urban Planning
• Graduate research programs

Researchers

Study urban planning

A postgraduate qualification in urban planning will give you specialised knowledge and an understanding of how cities and sites are constructed, physically and socially.

What is urban planning?

Urban planning and design are essential to underpin good social, environmental and business outcomes and enable liveability in cities. Professionals in these disciplines apply critical thinking and expertise to manage and inform our urban places and meet the challenges of growth.

Objectives of strategic place-making and the integration of land use with transport and infrastructure, as part of the dynamic fabric of a city, are some of the mandates that lead to improvements in people’s lives.

Why study urban planning at Sydney?

We offer a variety of programs to equip you with specialised knowledge in strategic planning, design of public spaces and the spaces between buildings.

Our Master of Urban and Regional Planning and the Master of Urbanism (Urban and Regional Planning) programs are accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia and graduates are eligible for membership of the institute.

Who should study urban planning?

Urban planning is increasingly diverse, and the types of roles that planners can take on are continually expanding and changing. This makes it suitable for a wide range of professionals looking to enhance their career options in areas ranging from policy creation to implementation, or leading interdisciplinary problem-solving teams. 

Where can an urban planning degree take me?

As a graduate of our programs, you will be a highly sought-after professional able to work across a variety of projects at different levels, including national, state and local governments. You could also be involved in the private sector and work for property developers and real estate entrepreneurs.

Career pathways include:

• policy development
• urban planner
• urban designer.

Urban planning courses

Urban and regional planning.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning focuses on developing an understanding of the ways that cities and sites are constructed: physically, socially and environmentally. You will develop the professional communication skills, reasoning and analytical processes required to make valuable contributions to the policy, technical and regulatory aspects of urban and regional planning.

This degree is a two‑year, 96-credit-point version of the specialist 18-month master’s programs in Urban Design , Heritage Conservation and Urban and Regional Planning . This extended timeframe enables you to experience a cross‑disciplinary approach while still specialising in a specific area of professional interest.

Urban Studies Major

The  Urban Studies Major  will equip you with the skills and knowledge to understand the complexity of cities and to deal with urban problems that will be the centre of a vast array of professions. It will challenge you to think about the dynamic relationship between understanding cities and city-making by exposing you to a range of critical approaches and professional practices vital to urban life.

Related courses

At the master’s level, our  Urban and Regional Planning degree  will take 1.5 years full time to complete (72 credit points). The program can also be taken at the level of:

• Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (one year and 48 credit points)
• Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning (6 months and 24 credit points)

Inspiring alumni

Philip Deakin

Master of urban and regional planning, 2017 economic and urban planner, rps grou p.

"I am currently working as an Economic and Urban Planner at RPS Group where I work primarily in strategic and economic planning. For me, the master’s program allowed me to learn new skills in urban planning that complemented my undergraduate studies in economics and finance, as well as my past work experience in commercial and economic advisory. My current role allows me to tap into both skillsets."

Find an urban planning course

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• Urban and Regional Planning

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Study Urban and Regional Planning at UniSA

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Interested in Urban and Regional Planning?

Urban planners help to create liveable towns and cities by using their advanced community consultation, design and spatial analysis skills, in conjunction with other professionals, to develop and apply land use polices.

You will learn about sustainable development, spatial planning and urban design at a university that has over 70 years’ experience in planning education. That makes us the longest provider of planning education in the country.

You will study in a state that has developed a world-class e-planning system for development assessment based on a fundamental overhaul of procedures, policies, zones and overlays.

If you decide you would like to gain an international perspective there is also the opportunity for you to complete some of your studies at an overseas university in places such as Denmark, Canada, USA, UK, Japan and China. You can also participate in an international study trip to cities in Asia, South America and Europe.

Quick links

Key features.

• Urban and Regional Planning degrees

Your career

What others are saying.

• Gain real-world experience when you complete work placements in a planning department, working alongside professional planners. 
• Be taught by world-class leaders in research – UniSA's research in urban and regional planning is ranked world class 1 .
• Have the opportunity to participate in an international study trip to cities in Asia, South America and Europe.
• Benefit from our long-standing history – with 70 years’ experience, we’re Australia’s longest provider of planning education. 
• Learn about advanced design thinking, land use policy, urban design and spatial analysis.
• Develop analytical, solution-orientated design and communication skills in a range of complex settings that can help state and local governments and the private sector respond to the pressures of population growth, climate change and the rise in chronic diseases associated with lack of physical activity.
• Gain skills working in a multi-disciplinary context.
• Study a degree than has been accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia. 
• UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities 2 , we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next. 

1 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2 UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.

UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities 1 , we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

Building your career is our business, and we have 70 years’ experience in planning education. You’ll be taught by industry professionals. Our academics have a very practical approach to learning, and you’ll work on real projects and get real experience. We’ve also invested millions of dollars in new buildings and facilities, so you’ll use the latest technologies and learn in ultra-modern teaching spaces.

You will study in a city that has developed a world class e-planning system based on a fundamental overhaul of procedures, codes and zones.

We’re Australia’s youngest university to receive five-stars in research 2  and this excellence shines through in our teaching. Our people are inspired by challenges and opportunities. We partner with local icons and international heavyweights to focus on real-world projects.

We also have academic alignment to our UniSA Creative Research Centres including the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE) and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) .

1 UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings. 2 QS Stars Ranking 2015 

UniSA offers the following Urban and Regional Planning degrees

Choose your level of study

World-class partners for a world-class university

We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

Australia’s University of Enterprise

Study at South Australia’s No. 1 university for graduate careers* and unlock your full potential.

*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23– Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Planners work at local, national and international levels and are involved in a diverse range of professional activities, including environmental, social, heritage, transport and community planning, and urban design. Planners often find employment with councils. You could get involved in:

• planning and designing towns, suburbs and regions
• energy efficient housing
• new public transport services
• the protection of heritage buildings and landscapes
• coastal planning
• environmental and transport planning
• social and community-based planning
• planning for active living and health promotion
• neighbourhood and urban regeneration
• infill and master planning
• development of regional and rural communities.

Global networks

We are a globally connected university and our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have had placements and internships with organisations like:

• SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport
• SA Department for Environment and Water
• City of Adelaide
• City of Port Adelaide Enfield

UniSA's Architecture Museum

Australia’s only Architecture Museum houses historic records and is dynamic hub of research into architectural and built environment history.

International students at UniSA

Benefit from our commitment to excellence, quality teaching and world-leading research.

Explore our campuses

Discover the world-class facilities that make UniSA a great place to study and research.

Get assistance with finding long- and short-term accommodation in Adelaide.

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our  How to Apply page . The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the  University's registered Education Agents .

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online  here .

Postgraduate study by research For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit  http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees .

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through  SATAC . Key dates for applications can be found  here .

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our  How to Apply page . You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our  calendar of events  in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

I chose to study at UniSA because it is one of the best universities in Australia to study Urban and Regional Planning. The variety of subjects offered is closely aligned to real life professional practice and the teaching staff are very knowledgeable and supportive. 

Farug Ibnul Haqi

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.* *ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation* *2023 QS Stars Ratings

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376 Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854 Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

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Study a Masters by Research (Project) with the team from RMIT

Join us to shape urban environments and impact lives as a professional urban and environmental planner, manager or policy maker, and drive positive changes through applied sustainable development practices.

Our Research

Understanding The Drivers And Outcomes Of Public Housing Relocation

The project aimed to understand what drives the need for tenant relocation in public housing and how such drivers mediate practices and resident experiences.

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The High Life: Could apartment design policy improve residents’ health and wellbeing?

The High Life project examines the interplay between apartment design policy, the design and location of apartment buildings, and residents’ health and wellbeing outcomes in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

RMIT Centre for Urban Research 124 La Trobe St, Building 8, Level 11 Melbourne City campus Phone: +61 3 9925 2272

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Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Graduate confident and well prepared for work, with skills gained through a program designed in consultation with industry to provide you with the ideal balance of theoretical content and practical experience.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning is designed for recent graduates in any field, and for established planning professionals.

For your two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) studies, you'll select from more than 20 courses, providing you with advanced knowledge of strategic structural and statutory approaches to improve built and natural environments. You'll address current problems facing cities and discuss the needs and capabilities for the future.

Courses cover the legislative frameworks controlling land use, address key issues in resource management and environmental planning, examine the role of communities in planning processes, and explore the design dimension of urban planning.

You can develop your problem-solving skills during the Planning Practicum course, undertake 200 hours of workplace experience in a planning organisation in Australia or overseas, or take the Understanding Development Complexities course to explore poverty alleviation, governance structures and the “politics of aid” on a 2-week field trip to the Asia-Pacific region.

See the work of our planning academics and students via the  UQ Urban Planning Blog .

UQ graduates are sought after by employers for their ability to make environmentally, socially and economically sustainable decisions, and can expect to find employment in a variety of roles in both public and private sectors.

Program highlights

• Learn from Australia’s best planning practitioners in a program recognised by employers as delivering high-quality, job-ready graduates.
• Tailor your program to match your career goals through practical and flexible elective courses.
• Benefit from collaborative learning spaces, such as the $1.5 million Planning Studio, that allow you to integrate maps, plans and computers while working together as a group and with external bodies to address real planning challenges.

1 in Australia for environmental sciences

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Queensland for geography

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

• Strategic Planning: Theory & Practice
• Climate Change & Environmental Management
• Community Planning & Participation
• Applied Demography
• Transport Planning
• Planning Practicum

See courses and program structure

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

• Urban planner
• Regional planner
• Urban engineer
• Heritage conservation officer
• Resource manager
• Transport planner
• Strategic land use planner
• Statutory planner
• Regional development officer
• Development assessment officer

Graduate salary

Agriculture & environmental studies (postgraduate)

compared.edu.au

Science and mathematics (postgraduate)

Program accreditation.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning is accredited by:

• Planning Institute Of Australia

The program provided a taste of varying aspects of planning... It was well structured with a host of core subjects, but also allowed me to pursue personal interests such as development planning and the provision of inner city green spaces.

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Entry requirements.

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree or above in any discipline, except qualifications accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.

GPA equivalent

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA equivalent you need to be considered for this program.

Use the GPA equivalent as a guide. When you apply, we’ll calculate your GPA using the UQ grading scale. Any failing grades will be included. Entry requirements are subject to change.

Equivalent subjects

Related programs

Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider one of these related programs:

• Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning
• Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning

English language requirements

IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.

BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.

CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.

OET is not accepted.

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee.

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $47,200

Government assistance, financial aid.

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

Domestic places in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

The Australian Government has approved this master's program for income support payments to be made to eligible students.

Learn about Centrelink payments for students

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

Applying online

All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an  approved UQ agent in your country .

The program code for the Master of Urban and Regional Planning is  5559 .

Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study

All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.

The program code for the Master of Urban and Regional Planning is 5559 .

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

• To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
• To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar .

• Semester 1 - Monday before semester 1 commences. Contact School for details.
• Semester 2 - Monday before semester 2 commences. Contact School for details.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Masters by coursework (graduate entry).

Build the expertise you need to help maximise the liveability of our cities and regions.

• Qualification Master of Urban and Regional Planning

This fee paying course is one and a half years full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) Code indicates a registered program offered to international students studying in Australia on student visas.

The Curtin campuses or teaching locations where units of this course are offered.

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:.

The future of our urban and regional centres relies on agile, creative thinkers who can bring communities together to collectively work toward solutions to the challenges they face.

In doing so, they need to navigate political, administrative and legislative frameworks in an ethical, sustainable way. In this Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) accredited course, you’ll explore the social, economic and environmental challenges affecting communities and help solve real-world problems with the support of several industry partners.

You’ll gain an understanding of planning laws and applications, and be encouraged to contribute to real-world projects.

The course is designed for students with an undergraduate qualification in an area related to the built environment, such as architecture, landscape architecture or geography, who seek to gain PIA accreditation to work as a planner. It is not intended for those who hold a PIA-accredited bachelor degree in planning.

Those who hold a bachelor degree in an unrelated field must apply for the Graduate Certificate in Development Planning before progressing to the master degree.

Students who complete the master degree to a high standard can apply for doctoral-level studies . You may also exit the degree at the graduate certificate level.

What jobs can the Master of Urban and Regional Planning course lead to?

• Urban designer
• Consultant in urban planning and development
• Community development
• Project and policy officer (government)
• Community development and engagement
• Environmental planning
• Transport planning
• Sustainable development
• Land use planning
• Regional and rural planning
• Planning law
• Urban design

What you'll learn

• disseminate and apply the principles, theories and concepts of urban and regional planning and draw upon appropriate knowledge of social, economic and environmental factors within a governance framework to practise planning, particularly in the Western Australian context;
• think critically at the highest order to analyse and challenge theories and practices of urban and regional planning, and generate creative solutions to planning issues;
• critically access, evaluate and synthesise information in order to undertake research relevant to urban and regional planning;
• communicate effectively at a high order which is both innovative and ground-breaking in writing, graphically and orally with various audiences (academic, professional and community);
• use appropriate technologies to practice urban and regional planning;
• use learned skills to continue self-development and influence others in continued learning in the profession;
• have a high level of awareness and skills to understand and respond to cultural diversity and difference in national and international perspectives;
• recognise and consider the needs and aspirations of the diversity of populations served by urban and regional planning, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the cultures of other minority ethnic groups in Australia and internationally
• work ethically as individuals and in teams demonstrating skills in leadership negotiation and conflict resolution, recognising and valuing the contribution of other disciplines and interests

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Professional recognition

This course is fully accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia .

The learning environment is wonderful, with a wide range of study spaces, a library and cafes, and supportive lecturers. The program structure balances theory with real-life scenarios, enabling me to practically apply the skills to my job. It has also given me opportunities to meet industrial professionals and build connections with them. I plan to return to my home in the Maldives after finishing my studies and work towards creating more sustainable cities.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications .

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Overall band score

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Domestic fee paying postgraduate, 2024 fee year:.

What is a domestic fee-paying (DFP) place?

A domestic fee-paying place is a place at university which is not Commonwealth supported, that is, not subsidised by the Australian Government.

Domestic fee paying students will be charged tuition fees and may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for all or part of those tuition fees.

Fees are indicative only.

* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 200 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

For start dates, please view the  academic calendar .

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

• Curtin Perth

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

View courses information disclaimer .

• Curtin course code:  MG-URPLAN2
• CRICOS code:  050344F
• Last updated on:  1 August 2024

Got a question? We’re here to help.

Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm, except Tues: 9.30am – 4.30pm (AWST). Closed public holidays.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations

Business specialisations available in the BBA:

• Accounting for Business Decisions Specialisation
• Business Law and Policy Specialisation
• Business Project Management Specialisation
• Business Strategy Specialisation
• Corporate Governance Specialisation
• Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialisation
• Event Management Specialisation
• Fashion Marketing Specialisation
• Information Systems in Business Specialisation
• International Management Specialisation
• Marketing Foundations Specialisation
• Property Investment Specialisation
• Public Relations Specialisation
• Small Business Start-Up Specialisation
• Social Leadership and Ethics Specialisation
• Taxation Law Specialisation
• The Business of Advertising Specialisation
• Tourism and Hospitality Essentials Specialisation
• User Experience for Business Optimisation Specialisation
• Workforce Management Specialisation

Specialisations available from Humanities and Science:

• Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
• Advertising Design Specialisation
• Animation and Game Design Specialisation
• Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
• Asian Studies Specialisation
• Chinese Language Specialisation
• Construction Management Specialisation
• Creative Writing Specialisation
• Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
• Designing Fashion Specialisation
• Digital Design Specialisation
• Digital and Social Media Specialisation
• English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
• Environmental Planning Specialisation
• Fashion Design Specialisation
• Fine Art Specialisation
• Geography Specialisation
• Graphic Design Specialisation
• Graphics Specialisation
• History Specialisation
• Illustration Specialisation
• Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
• Interior Architecture Specialisation
• International Development Specialisation
• Journalism Specialisation
• Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
• Photography Specialisation
• Principles of Planning Specialisation
• Professional Writing Specialisation
• Screen Production Specialisation
• Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
• Social Justice Specialisation
• Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
• Theatre Arts Specialisation
• Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
• Web Media Specialisation
• Web Presence Specialisation

Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations

Business specialisations:

• Applied Finance Specialisation
• Banking Specialisation
• Employment Relations Specialisation
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialisation
• Corporate Screen Production Specialisation

Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations

Specialisations available from Humanities, Science and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies:

• Biological Diversity Minor
• Climate Change Science Minor
• Environmental Management Minor
• Food Science Minor
• Forensic Studies Minor
• Geophysics Minor
• Geospatial Technology Minor
• Go Global – Internship Specialisation 1
• Go Practice – Internship Specialisation 1
• Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies Specialisation
• Landscape Restoration Minor
• Mapping and Land Planning Minor
• Metallurgy Minor
• Mining Minor
• Optimisation Minor
• Strategic Studies Specialisation

Domestic students

You are considered a domestic student if you are:

• an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• Humanitarian visa holder

Doesn’t sound like you? Switch to International content.

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Urban planning.

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Major overview

Available in these courses

Urban planning is the art of making places. It’s a collaborative process that shapes the physical setting for life in urban areas.

Urban planning focuses on the intersection of the built environment and the public interest. Urban planners explore the design and planning of public spaces, taking into consideration social, economic, aesthetic and environmental factors. Urban planners and designers are actively engaged with some of the most pressing issues of our time, including increased urbanisation, climate change and sustainable resourcing.

In the Urban Planning major, you will develop a broad knowledge of the history, theory, leading concepts and principles of urban planning and design. You will understand the role of planners in influencing environmental sustainability, economic resilience and social equity in cities and towns, and be able to identify the main trends and factors shaping the development of local, national, regional and global communities.

As we adapt to global changes that impact our cities – including climate change, deepening social inequality, concerns for community health and safety, and the emergence of global city-regions – planning has never been more critical.

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• Architecture, building, planning and design
• Construction
• Environment
• Urban and cultural heritage
• Urban design
• Urban planning

Graduate College

Planning cities and books.

Robert Becker, PhD, had never been west of Lake Erie when he decided to attend graduate school at the University of Iowa.

“I didn’t even know where I was going when I flew into Iowa City and started my graduate career,” Becker says.

Becker’s time in Iowa’s urban planning program shaped his fifty-year career and was influential on his first novel on disaster recovery.

Originally from the East Coast, Becker always had an interest in cities. Through researching a variety of city-related careers, Becker decided that he wanted to be a planner, and his search turned from jobs to graduate degree programs. 

Becker connected with Jim Harris – the founding chair of UI’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (URP). At the time the URP program was only a year old, and Harris was looking to grow Iowa’s new program. Part of that process was attracting students from outside the Midwest like Becker. 

As a first-generation student from a middle-class family, Iowa offered him the financial and academic incentives he needed. 

“Choosing Iowa was a decision that changed my life,” Becker recalls.

The faculty at Iowa weren’t just great at teaching, they were also mentors for Becker. Harris assisted him in securing an internship with the City of Baltimore Planning Commission. In Baltimore, Becker worked alongside other planners in the city, and he even found his thesis topic through their Neighborhood Planning Division.

In the program, planners were assigned to neighborhoods to work directly with citizens of the city. Becker spent most of time working alongside a planner finding ways to engage the community in neighborhood meetings. The planner assigned Becker to research a new method for engagement called the Charette Procedure, which became the focus of his thesis. 

The Charette Procedure is a collaborative process that enables a large group of people to contribute meaningfully to a project and create an outcome together.  

Triumph after tragedy

When Becker graduated in 1971 the New Orleans City Planning Commission called and offered him a position. “I told my wife we’re only going to be in New Orleans for a couple of years. 53 years later and we’re still in New Orleans,” he jokes. 

Becker spent 17 years with the planning commission, serving as Director of City Planning for the last seven. After that, he spent 12 years with the Audubon Nature Institute where he was able to add zookeeper to his resume. 

In 2001, Becker joined New Orleans City Park’s board of directors to help create the first master plan for the park in over two decades. The master plan was completed in March 2005, months before Hurricane Katrina would destroy all 1300 acres of the park. 

“Katrina fundamentally changed everything,” Becker says. “It was a crisis for us, but through it we raised 200 million dollars for the park and rebuilt. There would have been no recovery of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina without recovery of the park.”

Becker credits his time at Iowa and his previous roles for giving him the skills he needed to spearhead the decade-long recovery efforts. His dedication and work have been recognized within the field. In 2024, he was awarded the Adrian Freund Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Planning Association's Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division. 

Mapping out the manuscript

In 2020, Becker was planning to retire, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he remained on for one more year. During this time, Becker started writing a book to share his experiences over the last twenty years and provide future generations of urban planners with a solid foundation to build on. 

The book, New Orleans City Park: From Tragedy to Triumph , was published in October 2023, and Becker added one more title to his growing list. 

“Now I'm a city planner, I'm a zoo manager, I'm a park director and I'm an author,” Becker laughs. 

Even though Becker is now retired, he continues to share his experience and expertise. He frequently meets with neighborhood associations and bookstores to talk about his book. He’s shared the book with adjunct professors at Iowa and is even starting on his second book to fit all the stories he couldn’t in the first.  

Home is where the Hawkeyes are

Becker still resides in New Orleans with his wife Pat, a retired teacher, and their golden retriever Maggie , but the University of Iowa will always be a place he feels a connection with. “It made my future really,” he says. “I could have gone to a number of graduate programs, but they wanted me. I was not just another person, and there’s nothing that gives you more loyalty to a program than when they want you.” 

Even from afar, Becker continues to be involved in the URP program at Iowa, and his presence has been instrumental for the school. Becker also helped create the school’s endowment program.

According to School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) Director Haifeng Qian, Becker’s legacy is clear. “Bob has provided unwavering support to our program over the years,” Qian says. “He has been a member of our Urban Planning Advisory Board since its inception, consistently offering valuable recommendations to make SPPA stronger.”

Becker was part of the group that oversaw the addition of the Public Affairs degree to the school which celebrated its first cohort of graduates in 2022. 

“It’s hard in some ways because Iowa isn’t the first place you think about going for an urban experience,” Becker reflects. “But Iowa has cities just like every state does. I’ve seen the school participate and help small cities with urban environments.”

Becker’s commitment to Iowa underscores his belief in finding and following your passion no matter where it leads you. His advice to graduate students is to be able to identify where their interests lie. He says, “Unless you can play the guitar like Eric Clapton, you need to find out what interests you and something think you can spend your life doing.”

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Black Sororities and Fraternities Line Up Behind Kamala Harris

A united “Divine Nine” could be a formidable political advantage as the vice president, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, looks to shore up the Democratic base.

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By Maya King

Follow the latest news about the 2024 election, and the Trump and Harris campaigns.

As Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign rushes to shore up its base, its efforts will be bolstered by a ready-made coalition: the more than two million members of Black Greek-letter organizations who have quickly united to mobilize Black voters nationwide.

Before Ms. Harris had even hosted her first official campaign event as the de facto Democratic nominee, the heads of the “Divine Nine,” the country’s nine most prominent Black sororities and fraternities, were planning a giant voter organization effort. When President Biden announced on Sunday that he was stepping aside and endorsing Ms. Harris, excitement over her ascent spread swiftly among these groups’ members in group chats, Facebook groups and conference calls.

After all, Ms. Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha since her undergraduate days at Howard University, is one of them.

“Greek letter organizations who have worked in the trenches, some for over 100 years, never received any kind of publicity, any kind of notoriety,” said Representative Frederica S. Wilson of Florida, who is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Once Ms. Harris ran for president, in 2020, she said, that changed. “The A.K.A.s shouted to the highest hills, ‘That’s our soror! That’s our sister!’”

On Wednesday, Ms. Harris addressed members of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority at their Boulé, or biennial national gathering, in Indianapolis — her first such event as the Democratic Party’s likely standard-bearer.

As Ms. Harris took the stage, members cheered as the sorority’s president, Stacie N.C. Grant, said their organization was the first Divine Nine sorority to host the nation’s first Black female presidential nominee. Though billed as an official White House event, Ms. Harris delivered an energetic version of her campaign stump speech, imploring the Black women present — a group long considered the backbone of the Democratic Party — to help her build on Mr. Biden’s record.

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Clarence locals keen for City Heart plan fear Hobart's AFL high-performance centre proposal

A Tasmanian council's vision for a community green space has been described as a "holistic and integrated guide to coordinate the future growth and development of our principal activity centre".

However, some fear a proposed high-performance centre for Tasmania's fledgling AFL club the Tasmania Devils in the area jeopardises that plan.

What's next?

The Clarence City Council says it is "working with consultants to finalise the draft City Heart plan to bring this back to council for approval to go out for final community consultation".

Sam Ralph says he felt a real sense of excitement when a sprawling green hub for his community was proposed three years ago.

"When the City Heart was introduced, I felt proud to be a Clarence resident," he said.

The urban green belt on Hobart's eastern shore is roughly one-and-a-half times the size of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and would create a network of walking paths and bike lanes that access the city's commercial hub at Rosny.

The jewel in the crown would be activated civic spaces in the former Rosny public golf course with its sloping lawns and mature trees set on over 14.3 hectares.

But now, there is a proposal by the Tasmanian government and the AFL to build a high-performance centre (HPC) on the site.

"It's pretty devastating," Mr Ralph said.

"It's made me think of moving, to be honest. Is this really a place I want to stay, if this is the direction that they want to go?"

Mr Ralph lives in Warrane, a lower socio-economic suburb butting onto Clarence's commercial centre.

He said walking around the neighbourhood in summer was "pretty brutal" due to the lack of trees.

He said the Clarence City Council's City Heart plan offered a "third place" — places other than work or home, where people come together to relax and where money was not a barrier.

Green spaces make for better living, advocate says

One urban green space expert said "city heart" plans were the type of forward-thinking civic infrastructure critical for reducing "environmental inequality".

Jason Byrne, a human geography and planning professor at the University of Tasmania, said such places have a broad range of benefits.

He said just being in a green space lowered the heart rate, fostered mental recovery from stress, and could leave people feeling better adjusted and better able to cope with everyday pressures.

"People who live in areas with good access to parks and green space, have what we call high levels of social capital," Dr Byrne said.

"They tend to interact more with neighbours and other people in their neighbourhood.

"There are higher levels of caring and volunteering and community engagement. And this, in turn makes the entire community more resilient."

Dr Byrne said Australia had many examples of under-utilised green spaces that did not meet the need of residents, leading to environmental inequality.

"If we find a situation where parks and green spaces are being sacrificed for other purposes and they happen to coincide with neighbourhoods that have low levels of investment, that's a massive environmental injustice," he said.

"The highest functioning, most desirable, best places to live have what we would think of as a thriving social heart, a place where you can go and engage with other people in community activities."

Dr Byrne pointed to a recent redevelopment at Kingborough, south of Hobart, where he said "they've thought very carefully about those kinds of civic functions that keep residents interacting with each other to keep socially and physically healthy, stimulated, and mentally less stressed and high functioning".

What's proposed for the AFL high-performance centre?

Last year, the Tasmanian government ran a site selection process for the AFL high-performance centre. 

The government sought expressions of interest from southern Tasmanian councils, with the Rosny site eventually selected because of its proximity to local businesses and connection with the broader community.

Following community opposition to building the training grounds on council parkland, Clarence voters are being asked, via a non-binding elector poll , about the location of the high-performance centre.

The Save Rosny Parks community group supports the City Heart plan and has urged residents to vote 'no' to both questions.

HPC time line 'set by government, not council'

In a statement provided to the ABC, Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the council was "working with consultants to finalise the draft City Heart plan to bring this back to council for approval to go out for final community consultation on the plan". 

"The City Heart plan is a holistic and integrated guide to coordinate the future growth and development of our principal activity centre, Rosny Park. At the core of the document is a series of strategies and design principles that council will use to leverage opportunities to deliver key outcomes for the Rosny Park activity centre.

"While this includes the Parklands and Charles Hand Park, the City Heart plan covers much more. It is made up of several interconnected precincts, each with their own vision and character.

Councillor Blomeley said the plan covered economic development, housing and visitor accommodation, traffic, parking, public transport and general mobility, recreation, culture, and events.

"As the developer, any time frames for the construction of the AFL/AFLW high performance centre would be for the Tasmanian government and the Tasmania Football Club to set, not council," he said.

As for the City Heart plan, Cr Blomeley said there was no time frame for it yet, because the final plan is yet to be endorsed by the council.

"It's a high-level, conceptual document not yet endorsed by Council and was designed to be implemented over a 20 year period. 

"Once endorsed, we will look at what the priority areas or projects are and develop detailed designs."

EDITOR'S NOTE: July 30, 2024: The first version of this story contained a number of factual errors including that the council was abandoning the City Heart plan in favour of the high-performance centre. The story also included factual errors about the size of the proposed facility and used an image that was not from any official plans. 

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