Urban Policy and Strategy

Urban Policy and Strategy is a unique degree offered by the Faculty of Built Environment for professionals wishing to develop advanced skills in urban management.

The program focuses on developing leaders in the field of urban policy.

Work in this field is challenging and complex and requires a capacity not … For more content click the Read More button below.Urban Policy and Strategy is a unique degree offered by the Faculty of Built Environment for professionals wishing to develop advanced skills in urban management.

The program focuses on developing leaders in the field of urban policy.

Work in this field is challenging and complex and requires a capacity not only to understand the range of issues confronting urban managers but also to understand how to use and interpret data, to prepare evidence based policy, and to understand core development finance feasibilities.The program is structured in three themes:

understanding the context of cities and regions and their management;

the use of tools for policy assessment, development finance and data analysis;

and the key issues faced during professional practice.

The program covers the drivers of change and theories of cities;

the key urban strategy challenges;

decision making and policy administration;

public and private development finance;

policy instruments and their assessment;

advanced research methods;

and urban leadership, politics and ethics.

The program includes three BE select electives which will facilitate a focus on specific urban policy issues.The program is run over three semesters (Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Term).

The program can be taken full-time or part-time.

Courses in the program will be delivered in intensive teaching blocks in order to enable those working full-time and interstate to participate.

Students can undertake a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or a full Masters degree.The program will utilise a number of different teaching strategies including:

studios, master classes, problem-based learning, case studies and field trips, consulting projects with clients, and evidence-based research.

An international research studio is offered to Diploma and Masters students.

Class sizes in the program will deliberately be small to allow students to engage in highly interactive classes with other students, researchers, professionals, adjunct faculty and teachers.Program ObjectivesAt the end of the program students will:have a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice behind the development of urban policy and strategyhave a comprehensive understanding of the key issues driving the management of cities, and be aware of the governance, politics and ethics of managing urban policybe able to analyse and present concisely the arguments around a policy problem, and understand how to manipulate data to extract the issues for this analysishave advanced skills in preparing and managing strategic planning processeshave undertaken an overseas study project and a comparative research report on their return.Read More

Core Courses

Students must take at least 36 UOC, up to a maximum of 42 UOC of the following courses.keyboard_arrow_down

• MUPS00016 UOCDrivers of Urban Change
• MUPS00026 UOCStrategic Urban Policy
• MUPS00036 UOCDecision Making and Governance
• MUPS00046 UOCDevelopment Economics and Finance
• MUPS00056 UOCStrategic Planning and Impact Assessment Tools
• BENV75046 UOCDigital Cities
• MUPS00096 UOCUrban Leadership, Politics and Ethics

Studio/Project Core

Students must take 18 UOC of the following courses.keyboard_arrow_down

• MUPS00076 UOCResearch for Evidence-Based Policy
• MUPS00086 UOCInternational Policy Studio

Prescribed Electives

Students must take at least 12 UOC, up to a maximum of 18 UOC of the following courses. Students may choose selected urban design-related electives from the Master of Urban Development and Design (MUDD) program.keyboard_arrow_down

• BENV73076 UOCWriting the City
• SUSD00166 UOCSustainable Infrastructure
• CONS00256 UOCInfrastructure Planning, Procurement and Finance
• BENV78116 UOCUrban Renewal
• PLAN71566 UOCHousing Policy and Finance
• PLAN71576 UOCEngaging Communities

MUPS0008 and MUPS0009 Maturity Requirement

Students must have completed 24 UOC before taking any of the following courses.keyboard_arrow_down

• MUPS00086 UOCInternational Policy Studio
• MUPS00096 UOCUrban Leadership, Politics and Ethics

1.Apply research principles and methods applicable to urban policy and strategy in local, national and international contexts

2.Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories to practice

3.Justify, interpret and communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

4.Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner

5.Plan and execute a substantial research-based professionally-focused project in urban policy and strategy (capstone)

6.Demonstrate an understanding of the field of urban policy and strategy in its interdisciplinary context, and the ability to manage complex interdisciplinary problems

7.Demonstrate the qualities of an ethical practitioner

8.Demonstrate leadership through the capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation, and the capacity to initiate and embrace change

9.Demonstrate cultural awareness, environmental and social responsibility, and a respect for diversity

10.Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of urban policy and strategy