705-118 Australian Urban Planning in History

This subject reviews the historical development of cities and planning in Australia in the twentieth century, with most emphasis given to the postwar period, and assesses the future of planning. Australian planning is set in its international context, comparing Australian approaches with those of North America and Europe and discussing the values and understandings which gave rise to the practice and institutions of governmental planning and land use regulation. The growth of planning practice in Australia is described and the social movements and political pressures surrounding it. Examples of strategic and statutory planning in different Australian metropolitan cities are given. The subject follows a loose chronological path tracing the development of planning from the speculative booms and busts of the late nineteenth century, through the period of war and depression and in the first half of the century to the institutionalisation of planning in the context of the welfare sate and social democracy, and ultimately to the abandonment of large scale planning with the advent of neo-liberalism. Successes and mistakes of planning are assessed and possible future explored.

Tutorial papers and research essay totalling not more than 4000 words.

• B J Gleeson, and N P Low, Australian Urban Planning: New Challenges, New Agendas. Allen and Unwin, 2000.