Graduate Certificate in Development Planning

It is now widely accepted that sustainable and successful human settlements must be properly planned. Urban and regional planners play an important role in shaping development and land use in cities, towns and regions to promote public interest in the development process. Planners need to assess and consider issues relating to housing, ecological systems, community development, transport systems and economic development. Planners work with a range of government, community, industry and market-based stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of plans. 

The Graduate Certificate in Development Planning provides an introduction to the principles, practices and techniques used by urban and regional planners. A distinguishing characteristic of the course is the use of interdisciplinary knowledge and techniques to address environmental, social and design issues of concern to the community. It is suitable if you do not have a background in planning or if you are a practising planner outside Australia.

Upon successful completion of the graduate certificate, you may be eligible for entry into the master degree.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

What you'll learn

• identify and apply the principles, theories and concepts of urban and regional planning and draw upon appropriate knowledge of social, economic and environmental factors within a governance framework to practise planning, particularly in the Western Australian context;
• examine and challenge theories and practices of urban and regional planning, and generate creative solutions to planning issues
• access, evaluate and synthesise information in the context of urban and regional planning
• communicate effectively in writing, graphically and orally with various audiences within a university context
• use appropriate technologies to gather and interpret research and data
• engage in self education within the Urban and Regional Planning profession to continue self development
• compare and contrast developmental processes in local and international contexts
• recognise and consider the needs and aspirations of the diversity of populations served by urban and regional planning, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the cultures of other minority ethnic groups in Australia and internationally
• work ethically as individuals and in teams using skills central to the practice of integrated planning development