Program Overview

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Course Overview

The Regional Planning Design Studio, denoted as PLAN 412, is an advanced design-based planning studio. It focuses on the research investigation of complexities resulting from the interaction between people and their environment, along with the associated economic and land development processes at a regional level. Students engage in Work Integrated Learning by working on real-life issues of planning organisations and presenting back a project report, which increases their awareness of and readiness for a career in planning.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • For domestic students: NZ$2,752.80
  • For international students: NZ$12,097.80
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Monday at 10.30am
  • Thursday at 10.30am
• Campus: Te Aro
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 300 hours or 17.6 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 30 points, with one point estimating about 10 hours of work
• Special Course Features: Includes work-integrated learning

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None, but note that similar content courses may restrict enrollment

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Architecture, which is part of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be communicated once the course has begun.

About This Course

PLAN 412 is an on-campus only course, not available for distance study, with all class sessions delivered in person at the Te Aro Campus.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Demonstrate research, data collation, and policy assessment skills in relation to an analysis of a complex regional planning problem.
2. Analyse the biophysical and socio-economic contexts affecting the natural and built environments.
3. Create a resolved regional planning report in a format that provides useful information and analysis for potential use by regional planning agencies.
4. Communicate and express the investigation and planning outcome verbally and graphically.

How This Course Is Taught

• Lectures and tutorials require in-person attendance, with lecture recordings available in Nuku for subsequent revision.
• The course includes 2x4-hour studio-based teaching per week, 2 site visits, and external agency workshops.
• Students work on projects individually and in groups during studio time, supported by exercises, workshops, and group work.

Assessment

• Planning Context Analysis: Diagrams, sketches, plans, policy, and data summary (20%)
• Biophysical and Socio-economic Context Analysis: Diagrams, sketches, plans, and data summary (20%)
• Planning Report: Plans, maps, diagrams, and report (45%)
• Communicate Findings to Regional Planning Agency/Agecies: (15%)

Lecture Times and Rooms

Specific lecture times and rooms are provided for the duration of the course, from 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026.

What You'll Need to Get

There are no specific texts or equipment required for this course.

Mandatory Requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.