Learn the knowledge and skills to understand the complex and dynamic nature of cities.
Explore how cities work and how design, planning, data and technology can help make them more sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
This major develops your understanding of the relationships between the environment, urban spaces and communities, and how people move through and use cities.
You’ll examine how cities evolve, how planning systems operate and how urban spaces are shaped. You’ll also think critically about contemporary urban challenges, including climate change, social justice, economic change and digital transformation.
Through studios, case studies and fieldwork, you’ll apply evidence-based thinking to real urban challenges and build practical skills in spatial analysis, urban policy, mapping, data visualisation and community engagement. You’ll also develop technical capability using tools such as Geographic Information Systems and AI.
With an interdisciplinary foundation, this major prepares you to contribute to the cities of tomorrow and create meaningful, long-term impact for communities at local and global scales.
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Urban designer
- Urban design coordinator
- Built environment consultant
Events
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UQ people
Meet the expert: exploring regional and town planning with Stephanie Wyeth
5-minute read
Uni life
What’s it like to study architecture and urban planning as a postgraduate?
3-minute read
Stories
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UQ people
From firefighting robots to rocket science: Vennkkata’s UQ experience
5-minute read
UQ people
Meet the expert: exploring regional and town planning with Stephanie Wyeth
5-minute read
Uni life
What’s it like to study architecture and urban planning as a postgraduate?
3-minute read
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Fieldwork
- Seminars
- Studios
What you'll study
At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:
- Digital Tools for Urban Analysis [Core course]
- Introduction to Planning [Core course]
- Transport Planning [Core course]
- Advanced Planning Practice [Core course]
- Teamwork and Negotiation for Planners [Elective]
- History of the Built Environment [Elective]
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