Glossary

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Urban Policy and Strategy - 5313

Program Summary

Faculty: Built Environment

Contact: Built Environment

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 1 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 48

Award(s):

Graduate Diploma in Urban Policy and Strategy (Specialisation)

View program information for previous years

Program Description

Program Summary

The Graduate Diploma is the second tier of a sequence of postgraduate programs in Urban Policy and Strategy. It is typically undertaken over one year. The program is a unique degree offered by the Faculty of Built Environment for professionals wishing to develop advanced skills in urban management. 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. Courses in the program are delivered in intensive teaching blocks in order to enable those still working to participate.

The program utilises 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. Class sizes in the program are deliberately small to allow students to engage in highly interactive classes with other students, researchers, professionals, adjunct faculty and teachers.

Admission Requirements

In order to apply to the program applicants must have at least 3 years of post graduate, industry experience, including work in an urban, regional or related professional role. An undergraduate degree with at least a credit average in a relevant discipline is also required. A relevant degree would encompass studies in a built environment discipline as well as studies in social science, social policy, business and law. Local and international students are eligible to apply. The program is particularly suited to professionals wanting to up skill after being in the field for several years. As part of their application for entry into the program applicants will be required to undertake a brief interview with the Discipline Director. Additionally, a 200-300 word statement outlining the applicant’s interest in the program is required.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

Program Objectives

At the end of the program students will:

understand the theory and practice behind the development of urban policy and strategy
have a comprehensive understanding of the key issues driving the management of cities, and be aware of the governance, politics and ethics of managing urban policy
be able to analyse and present concisely the arguments around a policy problem, and understand how to manipulate data to extract the issues for this analysis.
have the skills necessary to prepare and manage strategic planning processes

The balance of these skills will depend on which four courses are selected by students.

Graduate attributes

Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of urban policy and strategy
Apply research principles and methods applicable to urban policy and strategy in local, national and international contexts
Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories to practice
Justify, interpret and communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner
Demonstrate an understanding of the field of urban policy and strategy in its interdisciplinary context, and the ability to manage complex interdisciplinary problems
Demonstrate leadership through the capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation, and the capacity to initiate and embrace change
Demonstrate cultural awareness, environmental and social responsibility, and a respect for diversity

Program Structure

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Urban Policy and Strategy students will be required to complete a program of study totaling 48 UOC. Students must complete 6 or 7 of the following core courses (a total of 36 or 42 UOC) and 1 or 2 of BE (Built Environment) select electives (a total of 6 or 12 UOC) to complement their core courses and to achieve the program study required total of 48 UOC:

MUPS0001 Drivers of Urban Change (6 UOC)
MUPS0002 Strategic Urban Policy (6 UOC)
MUPS0003 Decision Making and Governance (6 UOC)
MUPS0004 Development Economics (6 UOC)
MUPS0005 Impact Assessment (6 UOC)
MUPS0006 Digital Cities (6 UOC)
MUPS0007 Evidence-Based Policy (6 UOC)

BE Select Elective courses:

BENV7307 Writing the City (6 UOC)
BENV7810 Infrastructure Planning (6 UOC)
BENV7811 Urban Renewal (6 UOC)
PLAN7156 Housing Policy (6 UOC)
PLAN7157 Engaging Communities (6 UOC)
SUSD0016 Sustainable Infrastructure (6 UOC)

Urban design may also be studied as an elective through selected course offerings in the Master of Urban Development and Design (MUDD) program.

Additional electives may also be offered in a particular semester. Students are advised to contact the Program Director prior to enrolment for information about the availability of courses in a particular semester.

Academic Rules

Candidates whose entry to the Graduate Diploma is approved may carry 24 units of credit from the Graduate Certificate.
Candidates whose entry to the Masters is approved may carry 48 units of credit from the Graduate Diploma.
Students may apply to progress from the Graduate Certificate to Masters level with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence, provided that the earlier awards are not conferred.

Advanced Standing

Applicants will be considered for advanced standing on a case by case basis. The interdisciplinary nature of the program and the anticipated broad cognate disciplines of students entering the program does not support a standard or blanket approach to advanced standing determinations.