Why Bachelor of Architectural Design?
Have you ever thought a suburb, a city, or a precinct could be better planned? Enact change through a stimulating career in urban planning.
As the global population increases and industries expand, the need for urban planners has never been more important, to ensure we can interact sustainably with the environment around us. Combining history, legal frameworks, social geography, strategy and innovation, you could be the driving force behind the next thriving city.
Overview
Put your inquisitive, analytical and strategic capabilities to good use with a career in urban planning. You could be involved in planning walkable, energy efficient suburbs, or developing sustainable communities.
The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) will equip you with the knowledge and expertise required to create equitable and liveable cities and address contemporary urban development challenges in Australia and internationally.
You’ll learn how to plan and develop projects in varying geographical contexts, and build your understanding of the economic, social and environmental factors that may affect urban planning outcomes. You’ll develop strong interpersonal and professional practice skills, helping you to work effectively with clients and stakeholders.
Key features
Develop your understanding of the relationship between the natural and built environments by studying a degree that combines architectural design with urban planning.- Study city planning, property rights and planning theory across diverse geographical contexts.
- Learn digital and physical modelling, hand-drawing, and digital design skills.
- Build your understanding of the institutional, political, market, and public policy environments that affect land use and urban design.
- Understand the role that urban and regional planning play in improving environmental outcomes.
- Continue your studies through the Master of Urban and Regional Planning.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) allows you to explore the history and scope of urban and regional planning in a global context. You’ll build your knowledge of land use policymaking, and the role of transport and social infrastructure in the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods, cities and regions.
Along with foundational courses that will develop your understanding of contemporary architectural practice, you’ll learn about urban regeneration, economic impacts on urban planning, and how urban design influences population health.
Through this degree, you’ll study Undergraduate Core courses that are common to all architecture degrees. You’ll also study courses tailored to your major, including:
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
- Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
- Economics for the Built Environment
- Planning Governance, Politics and Policy
- Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability.
You’ll also have the opportunity to expand your knowledge into complementary areas through cross-disciplinary electives, such as design and construction, construction management, graphic and communication design, art, and animation. You’ll learn to engage with diverse teams, develop your communication skills, and discover the valuable relationship between architectural design, urban planning and other creative and built environment disciplines.
This degree will also help you to enhance your employability by developing essential communication, negotiation, interpersonal and collaboration skills that are applicable to a career in any industry.
Master pathways
Looking to take the next step in your studies? The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) is the primary pathway to an accredited Master of Urban and Regional Planning.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 90 units for Core courses, and
- Either:
- 36 units for one Major from Major, or
- 36 units for all Discipline courses, and
- 18 units for Electives
Complete 90 units for either of the following:
- Both of the following:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 72 units for all Program core, or
- 90 units for all Program core [packaged with Master of Landscape Architecture]
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy
|
Course code
ARCHX302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCHX304
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Development Economics
|
Course code
ARCHX300
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVIX300
|
Units
6
|
Complete 36 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX303
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy
|
Course code
ARCHX302
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCHX304
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Development Economics
|
Course code
ARCHX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVIX300
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy
|
Course code
ARCHX302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCHX304
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Development Economics
|
Course code
ARCHX300
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVIX300
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 12 units from Program electives, and
- 6 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Design Construct on Site
|
Course code
ARCH1013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Construct in the Workshop
|
Course code
ARCH1014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Study Tour
|
Course code
ARCH3016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Urban Regeneration
|
Course code
ARCHX305
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Design Studio (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Communication (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Design Construction (Principles)
|
Course code
ARCH1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Home)
|
Course code
ARCH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Architectural Design Cultures
|
Course code
ARCH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Urban Landscapes)
|
Course code
ARCH2004
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communications
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Architectural Design Studio (Communication)
|
Course code
ARCH2011
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Architectural Theory
|
Course code
ARCH2000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Theory and Practice in Urban and Regional Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX303
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Planning Governance, Stakeholders, Politics and Policy
|
Course code
ARCHX302
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Planning
|
Course code
ARCHX301
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCHX304
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Development Economics
|
Course code
ARCHX300
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVIX300
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
You’ll graduate with the design knowledge, technical skills and creative mind required for the global workforce to practise as one of the following:
- Urban designer
- Para-planner
- Heritage consultant
- Urban and regional planner (with further study).
You might design a new living estate to meet the demands of a growing regional area. You could work with community groups to ensure sacred sites are protected while championing future growth. Perhaps you might lead the creation of the next smart city, providing invaluable data insights, planning knowledge and meaningful solutions that balance sustainability with urban development.
The Bachelor of Architectural Design (Urban Planning) is a pathway to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, allowing for completion of both degrees in four years (full-time equivalent).
Industry trends
As the world’s population continues to grow and available space becomes more scarce, sustainable development, adaptive reuse of existing buildings and ecologically friendly forms of urbanism are all critical to creating liveable cities. Australia is experiencing a shortage of urban and regional planners, particularly in regional areas (Jobs and Skills Australia, April 2024 ). Your studies in urban planning will equip you to devise practical solutions to challenges like land use, ecological design, and sustainable living.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
