Geography and Planning

Geography

Geography is the study of interactions between human society and the natural and built environments, and the places that are produced from these interrelationships. Geography brings a unique perspective to current environmental, social, economic, population and cultural issues through its appreciation of the role of all scales – global, national, regional and local – in influencing change.

Geographers address the big issues facing society: from understanding migration patterns, investigating social and economic inequality, to exploring the condition of our inland rivers, to forecasting the likely impact of climate change and sea level rise on coastal towns and cities. Interdisciplinary in nature, geography draws together knowledge, theory and methods from the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities.

At UNE, students can enrol in a Bachelor of Arts and major in Human Geography and/or Physical Geography, choosing from units such as:  Australia: Sustainable Development?; Economic Change and Urban Development; Climate Change and Future Planning; The Road to Riches? Development and Change in Asia; Urban Living; Topics in Biogeography; Cradle to Grave: Population Geography; Rural Planning and Resource Management, Environmental Planning & Administration.

Careers in Geography

Almost any issue you care to name involves geographical knowledge and skills in some way: conservation, social services, retailing, marketing, tourism, politics, transport, education, crime – the list goes on. Potential career options for geography graduates are almost endless. Some of the many career opportunities include:

Urban & Regional Planning

Do you want to…

Change the world around you?

Shape the future of our cities, towns and regions?

Create places that are attractive, environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, and economically efficient?

Learn about development, the environment, transport, urban design, architecture, the economy, law, heritage, climate change, housing, society & culture, tourism, and shopping - all at the same time?

Obtain a degree that can take you in many different directions, career-wise?

Become a member of one of the most in-demand professions in Australia?

Know you are all but guaranteed a good job with good pay?

If so, you should look to study urban & regional planning at UNE. Urban & regional planning, put simply, is about shaping the places in which we live, work and play. Because these places are made up of many different elements, planning draws upon diverse fields of knowledge. It is multi-disciplinary, both a science and an art.

Each year, more planners graduate from UNE than from any other Australian university. Students enrolled in UNE’s Bachelor of Urban & Regional Planning degree can study units such as: Principles of Development Control; Environmental Planning & Administration, Architecture & Urban Design; Urban Living; Access & Mobility; Economic Change & Urban Development; Retail Geography Planning & Practice; Climate Change & Future Planning.

Careers in Urban & Regional Planning

Demand for planners has consistently outstripped supply for at least the past two decades. Most of our planning students have jobs before they complete their degrees; many work full-time while they study. Planners work in a wide variety of areas including: Local, State and Federal Government; private consultancy; property development; research and education. Some areas of specialisation include: