Master of Planning (Urban Design) with Master of Landscape Architecture

Program Overview

The Master of Planning (Urban Design) with Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Adelaide combines urban design and landscape architecture studies, equipping graduates with skills to design and enhance urban environments. Accredited by PIA and AILA, the program emphasizes practical design, community engagement, and collaboration with professionals in the field. Graduates are prepared for careers in planning, landscape architecture, and related professions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Planning (Urban Design) with Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Adelaide is a three-year, full-time or part-time equivalent program that combines the study of urban design and landscape architecture. The program is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

Objectives:

The program aims to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills to:

• Design and upgrade parks, streets, squares, and waterfronts
• Create functional, beautiful, sustainable, and safe sites that enhance communities, cultivate culture, and draw people in
• Work with natural and built environments, engaging with natural systems and human cultures
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, policy-makers, artists, and others in the design professions

Program Description:

The program has a strong focus on practical design studies. Students will:

• Explore ecological issues and the broad context of urban development
• Establish positions on current disciplinary, social, and environmental issues
• Learn to work with advanced ecological and landscape technologies
• Build techniques for engaging communities in planning
• Share design studios with students across the School of Architecture and Built Environment
• Propose and complete major urban planning and landscape architectural projects

Outline:

Content:

The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Urban design principles
• Planning policy and regulation
• Planning theory and practice
• Planning law
• Advanced ecology
• Advanced landscape architecture technologies
• Studio cultures: landscape architecture
• Engaging communities: techniques and analysis
• Designing research
• Professional practice

Structure:

The program is typically completed in three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. The program consists of 144 units of coursework, including:

• 120 units of core courses
• 24 units of elective courses

Course Schedule:

The program is offered on a semester basis, with classes typically held during the day. The following is an example of a typical course schedule:

Year 1:

• Semester 1: Studio Cultures: Landscape Architecture, Introduction to Urbanisation, Urban Design Principles, Studio: Urbanism, Planning Law, Planning Policy and Regulation
• Semester 2: Engaging Communities: Techniques and Analysis, Planning Theory and Practice, Advanced Ecology, Advanced Landscape Architecture Technologies, Urban Design Project

Year 2:

• Semester 1: Studio: Landscape Architecture, Designing Research, Professional Practice, Final Landscape Architecture Project
• Semester 2: Elective courses

Year 3:

• Semester 1: Elective courses
• Semester 2: Elective courses

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• Studio Cultures: Landscape Architecture: This module introduces students to the design process and principles of landscape architecture.
Students will learn how to develop and communicate design ideas through a variety of media, including drawing, modeling, and digital tools.
• Introduction to Urbanisation: This module provides students with an overview of the history and theory of urbanisation.
Students will learn about the different factors that have shaped the development of cities, including economic, social, political, and environmental factors.
• Urban Design Principles: This module introduces students to the principles of urban design.
Students will learn about the different elements of urban design, including streets, squares, parks, and buildings. They will also learn how to create urban spaces that are functional, beautiful, and sustainable.
• Studio: Urbanism: This module is a design studio in which students will apply the principles of urban design to a real-world project.
Students will work in teams to develop a plan for a new urban development.
• Planning Law: This module provides students with an overview of the legal framework for planning in Australia.
Students will learn about the different laws and regulations that govern the planning process, including the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW).
• Planning Policy and Regulation: This module provides students with an overview of the planning policy and regulation process in Australia.
Students will learn about the different types of planning policies and regulations, and how they are used to guide the development of land.
• Engaging Communities: Techniques and Analysis: This module provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to engage with communities in the planning process.
Students will learn about different techniques for community engagement, and how to analyse and use community feedback to inform planning decisions.
• Planning Theory and Practice: This module provides students with an overview of the different theories and practices of planning.
Students will learn about the different approaches to planning, and how they can be used to address different planning challenges.
• Advanced Ecology: This module provides students with an overview of the principles of ecology.
Students will learn about the different types of ecosystems, and how they function. They will also learn about the different threats to ecosystems, and how to mitigate these threats.
• Advanced Landscape Architecture Technologies: This module provides students with an overview of the different technologies used in landscape architecture.
Students will learn about the different types of materials, plants, and construction techniques used in landscape design. They will also learn about the different software programs used to design and visualise landscape projects.
• Urban Design Project: This module is a capstone project in which students will apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the program to a real-world urban design project.
Students will work in teams to develop a plan for a new urban development.
• Studio: Landscape Architecture: This module is a design studio in which students will apply the principles of landscape architecture to a real-world project.
Students will work in teams to develop a plan for a new landscape project.
• Designing Research: This module provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to conduct research in the field of planning or landscape architecture.
Students will learn about different research methods, and how to design and conduct a research project.
• Professional Practice: This module provides students with an overview of the professional practice of planning or landscape architecture.
Students will learn about the different ethical and legal responsibilities of planners and landscape architects, and how to manage a planning or landscape architecture practice.
• Final Landscape Architecture Project: This module is a capstone project in which students will apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the program to a real-world landscape architecture project.
Students will work in teams to develop a plan for a new landscape project.

Assessment:

Assessment takes a number of forms, including:

• Written reports and essays
• Short in-class exercises
• Oral presentations
• Formal examinations (not used for student assessment)
• Capstone landscape architecture and urban design project

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are active in research and practice. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Design studios
• Field trips
The program also provides students with access to a range of resources, including:
• The University of Adelaide Library
• The School of Architecture and Built Environment's computer labs
• The University of Adelaide's Career Service

Careers:

Graduates of the program are well-equipped for diverse and rewarding careers in the planning and landscape architecture professions. Graduates may work in government, the private sector, or non-profit organisations. Some common career paths include:

• Landscape architect
• Urban designer
• Planner
• Project administrator
• Project manager