Glossary

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Urban Policy and Strategy - 8313

Program Summary

Faculty: Built Environment

Contact: Built Environment

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 1.5 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 72

Award(s):

Master of Urban Policy and Strategy (Specialisation)

View program information for previous years

Program Description

Program Summary

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.

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:

have a comprehensive understanding of 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 advanced skills in preparing and managing strategic planning processes
have undertaken an overseas study project and a comparative research report on their return.

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
Plan and execute a substantial research-based professionally-focused project in urban policy and strategy (capstone)
Demonstrate an understanding of the field of urban policy and strategy in its interdisciplinary context, and the ability to manage complex interdisciplinary problems
Demonstrate the qualities of an ethical practitioner
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 Master of Urban Policy and Strategy students are required to complete a program of study totaling 72 UOC. Students must select 9 or 10 of the following core courses (a total of 54 or 60 UOC) and 2 or 3 BE (Built Environment) Select elective courses (a total of 12 or 18 UOC) to complement their core courses and to achieve the Program study required total of 72 UOC.:

Semester 1

BENV7504 Digital Cities (6 UOC)
MUPS0001 Drivers of Urban Change (6 UOC)
MUPS0002 Strategic Urban Policy (6 UOC)
MUPS0004 Development Economics (6 UOC)

Semester 2

MUPS0003 Decision Making and Governance (6 UOC)
MUPS0007 Evidence-Based Policy (6 UOC)
MUPS0009 Urban Leadership (6 UOC)

BE Select Elective (6 UOC):

Semester 3 (Summer Term)

MUPS0005 Impact Assessment (6 UOC)
MUPS0008 International Policy Studio (12 UOC)

BE Select Elective courses:

BENV7307 Writing the City (6 UOC)
BENV7811 Urban Renewal (6 UOC)
CONS0025 Infrastructure Planning (6 UOC)
PLAN7156 Housing Policy (6 UOC)
PLAN7157 Engaging Communities (6 UOC)
SUSD0016 Sustainable Infrastructure (6 UOC)

(Please note BENV7307, BENV7810, SUSD0016 are not taught intensively)

Other electives may be taken from the Master of Urban Development and Design, Master of Sustainable Built Environment and the Master of Urban Renewal and Housing. Approval of the Program Directors is required.

Academic Rules

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 or Graduate Diploma to Masters level with full credit for courses completed in earlier programs in the sequence, provided that the earlier awards are not conferred.
Students must have completed at least 48UOC before enrolling in 'International Policy Studio' or 'Urban Leadership, Politics and Ethics'.

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.