Recent years have seen debates on ‘urban renewal’ – the replacement or upgrading of city fabric – becoming increasingly central within Australia’s metropolitan planning and public policy discourse. Nowhere is this more true than in Sydney. Urban renewal is emerging as the major challenge facing Australia’s metropolitan areas for the foreseeable future.

Both linked with renewal projects, and more broadly, concerns around housing are also once more high on Australia’s public policy and urban planning agenda. Increasingly, the need for appropriate and effective housing policy is being highlighted as materially important not only in enhancing urban quality of life, but also in maximizing city productivity. Consequently, for a growing body of local and state government policymakers, as well as for numerous NGOs, consultants and others, urban renewal and housing matters are of central interest.

The Graduate Diploma in Urban Renewal and Housing is the first program of its kind in Australia. Drawing on local and international perspectives it will encompass both policy and practice in these realms, drawing wider linkages with urban studies and planning agendas. Within their core program, Urban Renewal and Housing students will take custom-designed courses on these topics, along with modules related to associated aspects of city planning, urban economics and infrastructure provision. Program participants will also benefit from an exciting choice of elective courses ranging across public policy, real estate studies and transport planning.

Students graduating from the program will be able to:

1. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in order to address urban spatial and social problems where housing and/or renewal initiatives may be an appropriate response.
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of efficiency, effectiveness and equity considerations relevant to urban renewal and housing policies or initiatives.
3. Recognise the similarities and contrasts between Australian urban renewal and housing agendas and experiences and those of comparator countries internationally.
4. Apply research principles and methods applicable to urban policy and planning in local, national and international contexts.
5. Interpret and communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
6. Demonstrate cultural awareness, environmental and social responsibility, and a respect for diversity.
7. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct and personal accountability consistent with contemporary public service expectations.

*or other relevant UNSW courses as agreed with the URH program leader.

Admission requirements

Minimum requirements will be a relevant Bachelor Degree – e.g. studies in a built environment discipline, social science, social policy, business, economics or law, with a minimum of 65 (credit) average.

1. Students may apply to progress from the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma to Masters level with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.