Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Environmental Planning

• Unit Code

  PLN3630

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit examines fundamental principles, strategies and approaches which are used in the various forms of environmental planning. It will focus on sustainable environmental planning with particular reference to the physical, biological and aesthetic qualities of the natural environment. Contemporary approaches to the integration of environmental management and urban planning such as biophilic cities, transit-oriented developments and smart growth will be discussed and critiqued.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PLN1600

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCM3202

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Compare the ecological opportunities and constraints of environmental modification, and comment on the necessary requirements for any proposed development.
2. Describe the theories and principles of environmental planning and the considerations made in planning.
3. Identify other forms of planning and appraise their interactions with environmental planning.
4. Outline the social, economic and political factors which underlie ecologically sustainable planning.
5. Summarize the factors and other environmental resources that influence environmental planning.
6. Summarize the issues, objectives and information needs for environmental planning.

Unit Content

1. Planning as process to achieve ecologically sustainable development at the three spheres of government as well as at the site level.
2. The influences of legislation, economics and politics on environmental planning.
3. The information needs for environmental planning including human population dynamics and their implications for planning, particularly for urban areas.
4. The role of planning in sustainable resource use including integrated planning of coasts, catchments and urban areas.
5. The roles played by various levels of government in environmental planning in Western Australia and Australia.
6. Theories, principles and current approaches to environmental planning.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit can be conducted in the on-campus and off-campus mode. On-campus students will attend a weekly lecture and seminar. The teaching and learning approach in this unit is enhanced through in-class discussions of practical industry case studies of environmental planning with particular emphasis on the role of local, state and national government. The skills of working effectively with others in an environmental planning setting (specifically team work, task collaboration and working productively with people from diverse cultures), communicating effectively, critical legislative and policy appraisal and analysis, developing design competencies and the ability to generate ideas are emphasised. This unit also provides for engaged teaching and learning where guest lecturers from industry are invited to share experiences, providing students with industry relevant information and opportunities for networking. The unit will also be supported by relevant field trips. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts of the unit and to guide students through development of environmental planning concepts and their applications. Tutorials will allow students to apply environmental planning concepts identified in the lectures in a series of real-world applications. A major project will consolidate learning by requiring students to prepare an environmental planning brief for a real location utilising environmental planning concepts developed in the unit. The major project will be assessed for quality academic and professional standards, including written communication (structure, language and conventions), critical analysis (depth of thought, development of argument, logical analysis and insight), depth and breadth of coverage, the ability to research effectively using both academic and contemporary sources and industry relevance. This assessment item will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, environmental planning skills, critical thinking and develop their written communication and presentation skills. Extensive use will be made of Blackboard to provide all lecture and other learning materials via this electronic portal. A discussion board will be used to facilitate discussion between teaching staff and students. A range of additional materials such as website links, blogs, group boards, gradebooks etc will be made available where appropriate.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Thompson, S. (Ed.). (2007). Planning Australia: An overview of urban and regional planning. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
• Parsons, K. C. & Schuyler, D. (Eds.). (2002). From Garden City to green city: The legacy of Ebenezer Howard. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press.
• Williams, K. (Ed.) (2005). Spatial planning, urban form and sustainable transport. Aldershot: Ashgate.
• Randolph, J. (2004). Environmental land use planning and management. Washington: Island Press.
• Perth Biodiversity Project. (2004). Local government biodiversity planning guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region. Perth: WALGA
• Miller, D. & de Roo, G. (Eds.). (2005). Urban environmental planning: Policies, instruments and methods in an international perspective. Aldershot: Ashgate.
• Low, N. (2005). The green city: Sustainable homes, sustainable suburbs. Sydney: UNSW Press.
• Environmental Protection Authority. (2005). Environmental guidance for planning and development. Perth: EPA.
• Beatley, T. & Newman, P. (2008). Green urbanism down under: Learning from sustainable communities in Australia. Washington DC: Island Press.
• Beatley, T. (2011) Biophilic cities: Integrating nature into urban design and planning. Washington DC: Island Press.
• Conacher, A. J. & Conacher, J. (2000). Environmental planning and management in Australia. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Journal References

• Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design
• Australian Planner
• Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
• Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy
• Environment and Urbanization
• Urban Policy and Research
• Environment and Planning D: Society and Space

^ Mandatory reference

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