- Duration
- Full-time: 4 years
- Next start date
- 2026 Semester One – 2 March
- 2027 Semester One – 1 March
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 480
- Programme type
- Undergraduate
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 explore sustainable urban development, Māori 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).
Most students need to take one General Education course.
Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.
Sample programme structure
Year One 120 points
-
- Code:
- BLTENV 101
- Name:
- People, Place and Design Studio
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- BLTENV 102
- Name:
- Environmental and Social Justice
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- BLTENV 103
- Name:
- Media for Spatial Practices
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- WTRENG 100
- Name:
- Waipapa Taumata Rau
- Type:
- Core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 101
- Name:
- Introduction to Urban Planning
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 124
- Name:
- Ecosystem, Sustainability and Environment
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 125
- Name:
- Urban Planning Studio 1
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
Year Two 120 points
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 205
- Name:
- Urban Infrastructure and Transportation Planning
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 221
- Name:
- People, Housing and Communities
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 222
- Name:
- Urban Economics
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 223
- Name:
- Planning Law and Applications
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 225
- Name:
- Urban Planning Studio 2
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 226
- Name:
- Urban Planning Studio 3
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
Year Three 120 points
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 307
- Name:
- Negotiation, Mediation and Project Management
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 321
- Name:
- Urban Policy Analysis, Development and Research Skills
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 323
- Name:
- Māori Planning
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 325
- Name:
- Urban Planning Studio 4
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 326
- Name:
- Urban Planning Studio 5
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Name:
- General Education
- Type:
- General Education course
- Points:
- 15 pts
Year Four 120 points
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 711
- Name:
- Urban Planning Theory
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 714
- Name:
- Urban Planning Methods and Plan Making Studio
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 716
- Name:
- Contemporary Wicked Problem Studio
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 734
- Name:
- Smart City Planning
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 735
- Name:
- Resource Consents and Implementation, Evaluation
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- URBPLAN 757
- Name:
- Research Project
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
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
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Key Information for Students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Experience the University
Take a 360° tour with Urban Planning students
Enjoy a 360° virtual tour of some of the Urban Planning spaces on campus.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513