1. University academic perspectives on
incorporation of urban planning into
secondary school geography curriculum
Or, really, how I would like to help you (even better)
stimulate interest among your current (my future)
students in pursuing planning studies at university
Mellini Sloan
Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology
mellini.sloan@qut.edu.au
new york city skyline – spraypaintstencils.com

2. QUT’s Planning Course
I teach the units in magenta…
1st Year 1st Year 2nd Year 2nd Year
1st Semester 2nd Semester 1st Semester 2nd Semester
Introducing Urban Development Site Applied
Professional Learning Economics Planning Law
Stewardship Project Planning Planning Processes Business
of Land in Urban Development & Consultation Skills
Introduction Population Geographic Development Assessment
to Planning & Design & Urban Studies Information Systems & Infrastructure
History of Land Use <STUDENT SELECTED <STUDENT SELECTED
Built Environment Planning MINOR UNIT> MINOR UNIT>
3rd Year 3rd Year 2nd Year 2nd Year
1st Semester 2nd Semester 1st Semester 2nd Semester
Urban Environmental Planning Urban Community
Design & Management Planning Practice Planning
Negotiation Project Unit Planning Theory
Thesis
& Conflict Resolution (Transport Planning) & Ethics
Geospatial Development Research Regional
Mapping Process Methods & Metropolitan Policy
<STUDENT SELECTED STUDENT SELECTED Work Integrated Regional
MINOR UNIT> MINOR UNIT> Learning Planning Practice

3. Composition of Commencing Planning Cohorts
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2006 (77) 2007 (83) 2008 (97) 2009 (84) 2010 (80) 2011 (64)
Year (Number of Students in Cohort)
Domestic School-Leaver Domestic Non-School Leaver International
Data from QUT course reports.

4. 2012 Commencing Planning Cohort & School Subjects
Geography
54%

5. Why I am here

6. Minors Selected by 2010 Commencing Planning Cohort
Geography
24%
Graphic shows minors of Planning (UD40UDP) currently enrolled in the 2012 offering of Environmental Planning & Management unit, a unit generally undertaken in 3rd year

7. Why I am here
Secondary School Preparation
1st Year 1st Year 2nd Year 2nd Year
1st Semester
Introducing
Professional Learning
Stewardship
of Land
2nd Semester
Urban Development
Economics
Project Planning
in Urban Development
? 1st Semester
Site
Planning
Planning Processes
& Consultation
2nd Semester
Applied
Law
Business
Skills
Introduction Population Geographic Development Assessment
to Planning & Design & Urban Studies Information Systems & Infrastructure
History of Land Use <STUDENT SELECTED <STUDENT SELECTED
Built Environment Planning MINOR UNIT> MINOR UNIT>
3rd Year 3rd Year 2nd Year 2nd Year
1st Semester 2nd Semester 1st Semester 2nd Semester
Urban Environmental Planning Urban Community
Design & Management Planning Practice Planning
Negotiation Project Unit Planning Theory
Thesis
& Conflict Resolution (Transport Planning) & Ethics
Geospatial Development Research Regional
Mapping Process Methods & Metropolitan Policy
<STUDENT SELECTED STUDENT SELECTED Work Integrated Regional
MINOR UNIT> MINOR UNIT> Learning Planning Practice

8. Unbearable Lightness of Being a First Year Student
/ Time of great change – school-leavers suddenly have MANY choices
/ Research tells us first year uni students struggle with social integration… if
they feel isolated they struggle more, likely same as at school.
/ Using social media in first year planning subject to help build student social
networks, finding out a lot about first year students FROM the students
themselves
/ Choose planning because they are excited about directing future
development, creating future cities
/ Not really sure what planners “do”
/ Eager to engage in conversations about planning & possibilities for
societal and built environment change, reduction of impacts on
resources
/ Initially struggle with translation of abstract ideas (theory) into practice
/ Once they get “it”, can’t get them to shut up 

9. Sorting out what planning is – a broader perspective
planning is the process of making decisions to guide
future action... shaping cities, towns and regions by managing
development, infrastructure and services.
balancing the built and natural environment, community needs,
cultural significance, and economic sustainability, planners aim to
improve our quality of life and create vibrant communities.
as well as assessing development proposals and devising policies to
guide future development, planners work in areas as diverse as
housing, energy, health, education, communications, leisure, tourism
and transport. They create new, and revitalise existing, public spaces,
conserve places of heritage and enhance community
value.
planning institute of australia (2005)

10. Understanding what constitutes “good” planning
... helps create communities that offer better
choices for where and how people live. planning
helps community members envision the direction
their community grow and will help them find the
right balance of new development and essential
services, protection of the environment and
innovative change.
american planning association (2008)

11. What the ABS says planners do
advise governments & organisations recommend measures affecting
on urban & regional planning & resource land use, the environment, public utilities,
planning community facilities, housing & transportation
present narrative & graphic plans, programs & designs to groups & individuals
devise & recommend use & development of land
compile & analyse data on economic, legal, political, cultural, demographic,
sociological, physical & environmental factors affecting land use
confer
with government authorities, communities, architects, social scientists, lawyers, & planning,
development & environmental specialists
australian bureau of statistics (2006)

12. Providing a theoretical framework through traditional resources
Resource Materials

13. Synthesis of planning practice & history in Australia
Resource Materials

14. Recent plans, policies, guidelines – some less recent than others
Resource Materials

15. Recent plans, policies, guidelines – some less recent than others
Resource Materials

16. Using multimedia resources to help students understand planning
Resource Materials
historic urban citizen public
preservation renewal perspectives participation
hope &
radical brownfield active public holistic
change reuse transport space thinking

17. Using multimedia resources to help students understand planning
Resource Materials
•Joe Bjelke-Petersen demolition of Bellevue Hotel & Cloudland Spurs Historic Preservation -
http://vimeo.com/24442912
•Urban renewal in 1960s NYC – Activist Jane Jacobs and Planner Robert Moses in Conflict -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUeuQT6t7kg&feature=fvwrel
•The Castle as a pop culture intro to citizen perspectives on development
•Battle for Brooklyn (documentary) – urban renewal and public participation, recently aired
on ABC
•Jan Gehl, renowned planner, author public space studies for almost all Australian cities of
scale - http://fora.tv/2011/05/02/Jan_Gehl_Cities_for_People
•HighLine in NYC – treuse of disused transport infrastructure – Ed Norton talks about
possibility
•Janet Sadik-Khan on diversification of transport in NYC -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDMf7VG5pXM
•William H. Whyte – how people use public space – Social Life Small Urban Spaces -
http://vimeo.com/6821934
•Jaime Lerner – Former Mayor of Curitiba – hope and holistic thinking – REALLY FUNNY -
http://www.ted.com/talks/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city.html
•Even more… http://www.streetfilms.org/