If you’ve ever wanted to solve complex challenges affecting our cities, towns and regions or help a growing community find its feet, the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of New England (UNE) is designed for you.
What does an urban and regional planner do?
Planning is about more than just drawing lines on a map. It’s about balance. Planners work closely with all tiers of government, businesses and the public to develop strategies that help our regions grow without losing what makes them special.
- Development Planning: This is focused on managing the development of towns and cities. Think zoning for new homes or protecting a green corridor.
- Strategic Planning: This happens on a longer and larger scale. Strategic planners develop plans to manage transport infrastructure, economic activities and land uses that can span entire landscapes.
Real-world experience
UNE offers Australia’s longest standing fully online planning program and attracts students new to higher education and practicing professionals seeking to advance or pivot their careers.
At UNE, we believe the best way to learn planning is to actually do it. One of the most exciting parts of our Bachelor degree is the opportunity to work on real-world projects while you study.
For example, a team of UNE students collaborated with the Tamworth City Council to support their Blueprint 100 strategy. They developed ideas to boost the city’s night-time economy – moving beyond theoretical whiteboards and into real-life applications. Students have also partnered with Armidale Regional Council to explore social housing options.
Other students are working with the Anglican Diocese of Sydney to develop a masterplan for redeveloping heritage-listed church sites and an affordable housing delivery plan.
Such projects give UNE students valuable, real-life experience – and a unique edge. They allow them to test big ideas and be mentored by industry professionals before they even graduate.
Real-world success: From Graduate Diploma to Chief Officer
The flexibility and practicality of a UNE planning qualification are best seen through the success of our alumni. Take Daniel Boyce, for example. Daniel used his UNE studies to chart a new career course and is now the Chief Officer Planning and Activation at Armidale Regional Council.
“My qualification from UNE gave me the opportunity to diversify; it provided a springboard for me to focus on strategic planning,” Daniel says. “There are a lot of allied professionals like surveyors, building surveyors and environmental scientists who could similarly diversify ... You can learn something and directly apply it in the workplace the same day.”
Why choose UNE for your planning career?
- Professional accreditation: Our course is fully accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), meaning your qualification is recognised and respected nationwide and globally.
- A focus on the regions and sustainability: As Australia’s first regional university, UNE has a program that contains several units on regional planning and development. We also teach you how to shape the liveability of cities and regions while protecting the natural environment that current and future residents depend on.
- Community impact: Learn how to manage environmental risks like bushfires and flooding, ensuring our living spaces are safer for everyone.
- Flexibility for online learners: As Australia’s experts in online education, UNE allows you to balance your studies with your life, no matter where you are located.
Your career in planning starts here
Whether it’s providing for essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals or helping to ensure services are fairly distributed, planners make a tangible difference. By choosing to study at UNE, you aren’t just getting a degree; you are gaining the expertise to play a leading role in shaping the future of our communities, world-wide.
Ready to start? Join a community of forward-thinkers today.
