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Create a future you want to live in. The BUrbPlan(Hons) is New Zealand's only undergraduate urban planning programme.

Programme overview

Professional urban planners play a critical role in shaping our urban environments – economically, environmentally, socially and culturally.

The Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) explores how towns, cities and public spaces can impact our lives. You will use both critical analysis and creativity to address real-world issues and implications of urban development.

With a BUrbPlan(Hons), you'll be eligible to apply for membership to the New Zealand Planning Institute.

Programme structure

In your first year, you'll learn about the broad influences on urban planning and the structure of cities. We'll also introduce the policy and legislation that dictate outcomes. Through studio courses, you'll develop your creative and design capabilities and become familiar with land use principles.

In your second and third years, you'll take one General Education course per year to supplement your urban planning studies with a subject of your choice. You'll also explore sustainable urban development, Maori and Pacific planning priorities, urban design concepts, and the legal and economic aspects of urban planning. Studio courses give you the chance to apply what you've learned to real world cities.

Being based in Auckland, you'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and interact with leading industry professionals in New Zealand's largest urban environment.

In your final year, you'll have the freedom to explore an urban issue of interest to you within your honours dissertation (maximum 10,000 words).

Where could this programme take you?

The three common avenues for employment in urban planning are local government, central government and private practice. BUrbPlan(Hons) graduates generally start out assisting in all aspects of planning, and later choose to specialise in one domain, such as transport, consents, environmental planning or design.

Jobs related to this programme

Central, regional and local government bodies

Community groups

Iwi authorities

Non-governmental organisations

Private practice

Urban design

Further study options

Master of Heritage Conservation

Master of Urban Planning

Master of Urban Design

Doctor of Philosophy