This course introduces students commencing their planning studies to the principles which underlie planning as both a discipline and practice, and provide a foundation to the methods and frameworks planners use to achieve their objectives and goals. The course explores the role of different organisations and stakeholders involved in the planning process, and the crucial interplay between planning and urban development. An integral element of the course is a field trip out of Sydney where introductory planning concepts, ideas and issues can be explored in practice. This will involve a series of projects and contributions from practising planners sharing their insights in context.