Unit of study_

PLAN9071: Housing: Planning, Policy and Place

2027 unit information

This unit tackles one of today’s most urgent and visible challenges: housing. It explores how housing systems, markets planning and policies shape affordability, inequality and everyday urban life in Australia and globally. Students will learn how housing markets work—who drives them, how planning and policy shapes outcomes, and why some groups are better served than others. Through real-world case studies, including social housing, private rental markets, Indigenous housing and informal settlements, the unit connects big ideas to practical challenges. A key focus is on building applied skills in working with housing and demographic data to identify local needs, assess equity and inclusion outcomes, and develop evidence-based responses. This unit is ideal for students from planning, policy and/or built environment backgrounds wishing to engage with a defining policy challenge and develop relevant, real-world analytical and professional skills.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the basic structure and operation of housing systems and markets, including factors affecting supply and demand for housing
  • LO2. demonstrate familiarity with important policy objectives for housing within the broader context of sustainable urban or regional development, including housing supply, location, design and affordability
  • LO3. understand the relationships between policy objectives for housing and the land use planning and development processes
  • LO4. understand inclusionary housing principles and approaches and how they work within different planning and housing market contexts
  • LO5. demonstrate familiarity with the different policy debates surrounding housing development in Australia and be able to operationalise and communicate this knowledge through a written briefing note advising on potential policy options
  • LO6. understand the basic methodology for undertaking a housing needs and market analysis, and for preparing a local housing strategy that responds to needs and opportunities

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1b 2026
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1b 2027
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Block mode Remote
Semester 1 2024
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2025
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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