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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

School/College

School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Unit aim

Introduces students to the environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability, the governance of sustainability, related concepts, issues, problems and solutions, and the remit of professional planning ethics. Students learn about the nature of sustainable planning and related policy prescriptions. Key sustainable planning and urban design models and approaches are investigated. The unit is structured around key sustainable planning themes, including the evolution and complexity of sustainable planning, the role of local government, demographic considerations, planning for sustainable communities, developing sustainability literacy, and the evolution and complexity of ethics in professional planning.

Students engage in problem based learning: an analysis of planning problems, issues and potential solutions.

Unit content

Topic 1: Introduction to unit content and assessment

Topic 2: Evolution of sustainability in planning

Topic 3: Understanding the dimensions of sustainability

Topic 4: Local governance of sustainability

Topic 5: Local council case study

Topic 6: Demographics of sustainability

Topic 7: Sustainable communities

Topic 8: Sustainability literacy

Topic 9: Evolution of ethics in planning

Topic 10: Understanding the dimensions of ethics

Topic 11: Sustainable and ethical futures

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Demonstrate understanding of the principles of integrated sustainable development and managing natural and built environments. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline
2 Exhibit understanding of the adoption of professional ethics in the use of planning knowledge, skills and communication. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline
3 Explain the relationship between environmental, economic and social sustainability and the governance of sustainability. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline
4 Display familiarity with the trends influencing sustainability and the role of planners in supporting sustainable growth. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline
5 Discuss the nature of sustainable communities. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline
6 Discuss emerging issues in sustainable planning and narrate how sustainability can inform planning practice. Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Knowledge of a discipline

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the principles of integrated sustainable development and managing natural and built environments.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. Exhibit understanding of the adoption of professional ethics in the use of planning knowledge, skills and communication.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. Explain the relationship between environmental, economic and social sustainability and the governance of sustainability.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. Display familiarity with the trends influencing sustainability and the role of planners in supporting sustainable growth.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. Discuss the nature of sustainable communities.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  6. Discuss emerging issues in sustainable planning and narrate how sustainability can inform planning practice.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline