Available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2025 class dates: Nov 11, 13, 17 & 20.
With most of the world’s population now living in cities, urban areas are where many of today’s biggest challenges—from climate change to inequality—converge. To tackle these issues, policymakers need to understand the demographic and economic forces driving urbanisation and the resulting social and environmental impacts. Equally important is the ability to collaborate with communities, political leaders, and organisations across sectors to guide decision-making on complex urban issues in a way that builds resilient communities and cities. This requires integrated thinking when it comes to public policymaking in cities, balancing economic development with social policy priorities and environmental sustainability.
This course is tailored for individuals interested in building understanding about complex urban challenges and policymaking in cities that can foster equitable and sustainable development. It covers key urbanisation challenges in Australian and international cities, from Asia to Latin America. It draws on principles of equity and sustainability to explore different ways to analyse these issues. Students will engage with analytical techniques to study urban problems and commence exploring solutions, focusing on key stakeholders and scenario development. Topics include urban renewal, informal settlement upgrading, large-scale infrastructure planning, and river basin management, emphasising the boundary-spanning, engaged and collaborative work needed from policymakers to address multifaceted urban issues.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain contemporary conceptions and principles of social justice and sustainability relevant to urban policymaking.
- Identify and analyse complex problems and their expression across diverse urban contexts.
- Examine trends in urban development, forecast future scenarios and identify key stakeholders relevant to urban policymaking.
- Appraise policy utilising principles of planning for equitable and sustainable cities.
Indicative Assessment
- 3-minute presentation or recorded film: identify and explain an urban problem in a neighbourhood (individual)) (25) [LO 1,2]
- Team-based learning workshops (in class, group-based activity) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Problem paper: in-depth analysis of an urban problem in your city or neighbourhood (individual) (2500 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This intensive course requires approximately 15 contact hours and 30-40 non-contact hours including private study.
Inherent Requirements
None
Prescribed Texts
none
Preliminary Reading
Topic 1.
Jones, E., & Stilwell, F. (1983). When is an Urban Problem not an Urban Problem? In P. Williams (Ed), Social Process and the City. Sydney: Routledge.
United Nations Human Settlements Programme. (2020). Chapter 2: Unpacking the Value of Sustainable Urbanization. In UN-HABITAT World Cities Report 2020. Nairobi, Kenya: UN-Habitat.
Topic 2.
Fincher, R. (2003). Planning for cities of diversity, difference and encounter. Australian Planner, 40, 55–58.
Sturup, S., & Low., (2019). Sustainable development and mega infrastructure: an overview of the issues. Journal of Mega Infrastructure & Sustainable Development, 1:1, 8-26.
Topic 3.
Patton, C., Sawicki, D. & Clark, J. (2013). Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning, Third Edition. Georgia: Pearson. (Chapter 2. The Policy Analysis Process)
Hopkins, L. & Zapata, M. (2007). Engaging the Future: Tools for Effective Planning Practices. In L. Hopkins & M. Zapata (Eds.), Tools for effective planning practices. Cambridge, MA: Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Assumed Knowledge
It is recommended that students take this elective after completing at least one semester of learning in their program.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $2340 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $3360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | ||||||
| 9446 | 11 Nov 2025 | 10 Nov 2025 | 21 Nov 2025 | 18 Dec 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| On campus | ||||||
| 9447 | 11 Nov 2025 | 10 Nov 2025 | 21 Nov 2025 | 18 Dec 2025 | Online | N/A |