Professional Recognition and Summary

• Accreditation by Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). The Master of Urban Planning and Design Course is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia. Graduates are eligible for immediate membership of the Urban and Regional Chapter of the Planning Institute of Australia and, after two years professional planning experience are eligible to become corporate members (MPIA)
• In total there are a minimum of 4 subjects entailing local fieldtrips covered by JCUS; 3 subjects have no Final Exams; All subjects have various forms of assignments / quizzes and reports
• Some subjects and lecturers may provide optional international fieldtrips at students' expense

MASTER OF PLANNING & URBAN DESIGN

Address the challenges facing the 21st century tropical city:

We are living in an age of technological advancement, heightened social mobility and the advent of the knowledge economy, in a world also affected by climate change, increasing spatial shortage and the threat of cultural depletion through globalisation. Never has there been such an important time to holistically address these issues through the design of more sustainable urban habitats, and in particular within the tropical belt – a geographical zone which is experiencing rapid socio–economic and environmental change.

The first interdisciplinary degree majoring in Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Tropical Urbanism:

This program is a pioneering masters degree course that seeks to find solutions to these pertinent issues through an interdisciplinary design approach that blends latest industry ‘best practice’ with urban theory, underpinned by a rigorous understanding of the Green agenda. The course will equip students with skills in sustainable urbanism, tropical passive design techniques and knowledge of green technologies in order to prepare for the public or private sector.

A collaboration between academia and industry to shape future designers and thought leaders of tropical cities

The course draws heavily from the disciplines of tropical planning, architecture, landscape architecture, as well as environmental science and engineering to create a truly unique urbanism course. Such interdisciplinary collaboration, in a context that acknowledges the important role both academia and industry play in shaping the urban habitat, will prepare students for the realities of practice or public administration. Students will be future designers, thought leaders and administrators in tropical belt cities.

A multi-city programme that offers a diversity of cultural experiences

While the course is delivered in Singapore, you have the option to take some subjects at JCU's other campuses (subject to immigration requirements). There is the further benefit of having electives taught in Venice, Bali, Manila and Myanmar – each of which focus on a particular urbanism subject. In addition to the various geographical locations that seek to offer cultural exposure is 'The Studio' - an immersive environment that seeks to prepare students for the realities of practice in a real-life design studio setting.

Invitation to creative and inquisitive individuals who want to shape sustainable tropical urban habitats to apply now

This masters degree will appeal to those interested in how tropical rural, suburban and urban habitats are shaped by how people live, work and play. An evidence - based learning that embraces site studies, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and a firm grasp of urban planning theory will be combined with design tuition to help students create theoretical sustainable planning propositions that can be delivered coherently to specialist and non-specialist audiences through a variety of oral, written and graphic media.

Master of Planning and Urban Design

(Majoring in Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Tropical Urbanism)

Graduates of the Master of Planning and Urban Design at James Cook University will be able to:

• Plan and conduct reliable, evidence-based design studio and/or field experiments / practices by selecting and applying methods, techniques and tools, as appropriate to urban and regional planning in the tropics
• Organise, analyse and interpret complex planning data using advanced mathematical, statistical, qualitative and technological skills
• Communicate theoretical propositions, methodologies, social science and scientific data, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently to specialist and non-specialist audiences through advanced written and oral English language skills and a variety of media
• Identify, analyse and generate solutions to unpredictable or complex problems, especially related to tropical, rural, remote or Indigenous contexts, by applying planning knowledge and skills with initiative and expert judgement
• Critically review regulatory requirements, ethical principles and, where appropriate, cultural frameworks, to work effectively, responsibly and safely in diverse contexts
• This JCU Masters degree is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Study Program

Students are required to complete a total of 48 credit hours as per the following:

Core Subjects

• Environmental and Regional Planning
• Urban Geography and Design
• Planning Legislation and Professional Practice
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

+

Subjects for Disaster Resilience

• Disaster Management Principles
• Disasters, Communities and Planning
• Leadership in Disaster Management
• Natural Hazards

+

Subjects for Sustainable Tropical Urbanism

• Urban Design Studio
• Field Studies in Tropical Geography
• Advanced Design Communication
• Urban Ecosystems

+

12 Credit Hours from

• OPTION A (Dissertation – entry restricted to minimum Grade Point Average of 5.5)
• Minor Project, Seminar and Literature Review (1 of 2)
• Minor Project, Seminar and Literature Review (2 of 2)

Or

• Professional Planning Project (1 of 2)
• Professional Planning Project (2 of 2)
• Professional Placement

+

• Asia Pacific Development: Culture and Globalisation
• The Practice of Cultural Heritage Management
• Planning for Sustainable Communities in a Changing Environment
• Sustainability in Practice
• Native Title and Land Use Planning
• Special Topic 1

Career Prospects:

Depending on the specialization that you choose, you can work in government, not-for-profits, developing countries or independent corporations. When you graduate, your work could include tropical planning and urban design to meet the major challenges facing society today, such as:

• Designing cities, towns and remote communities to cope with climate change
• Population growth and change
• Rapid urbanisation
• Poverty and homelessness
• Conflict over land use
• Planning to include cultural diversity
• Economic development
• Hazard mapping
• Planning sub-divisions
• Ecological sustainability
• Social and planning policy development
• Environment impact assessment
• Environmental law
• Urban and regional planning

Duration: 16 months full time
Course Structure: 3 trimesters per year
(normally 4 subjects per trimester)
Intakes: March, July, November