Australia Lecture Two

In 100 words or less, describe what you think are the main differences, both in style and substance, between the New Zealand and Australian planning systems.

Australia Lecture One

In 100 words or less, please answer the following:

From this week’s lecture on planning issues in New South Wales, what planning process described by Whitney do you think would either (a) contribute to increasing urban sustainability or (b) decrease urban sustainability, and why?

North America Part 2

In 100 words or less please comment on the following statement:

In the context of trying to get 'good' planning outcomes, it is better to have a more prescriptive approach such as in Ontario rather than a laissez-faire approach, such as in Texas.

North America Part 1

In 100 words or less please answer the following:

How do the structural differences between the United States Federal government and New Zealand's central government influence the planning process?

Somoa's two forms of governance

If you were a planner in Samoa, how would you go about navigating your way between the two forms of decision-making on the islands: that of the colonial-traditional and that of the rational-legal system common in Westminster democracies? Use the freeing up of land for a new tourist venture as an example.

Up to 100 words.

South African question

In 100 words or less, briefly describe the planning implications of one issue facing post-Apartheid South Africa .

Feel free to respond to this question as part of your six blog (four for 337) contributions.

China Lecture 2 question

In 100 words or less, please answer the following question, drawing on the past two lectures on China:

What is the most significant challenge/issue facing China in your opinion?

China Lecture 1 question

Please feel free to address this question as part of your contribution to the blog:
‘Identify an aspect of planning in China which contrasts with the way things are done in New Zealand. Can you think of the benefits of the Chinese approach, and any difficulties that might arise?' (Up to 100 words).

Sustainable activities

In 100 words or less please describe a sustainable, or unsustainable, activity where you live or in a place you have visited.

Welcome to PLAN 332 Comparative Planning 2010

Planning arguably began as an attempt to control the physical world. It incorporates ways to mange how humans interacted with each other. As the Homo genus moved from hunting and gathering to pastoralism to sedentary agriculture, trade generated settlements which became permanent and grew. From about four thousand years ago cities starting evolving in what is now the Middle East, through to China and Meso-America. The patterns and processes typifying these settlements all had to be planned.

Different cultures came up with different ways of planning. While there are many examples of convergent thinking - a dwelling needs floors, walls and roof - there are equally many examples of divergence - a dwelling can be round, square, set in the sides of a cliff, have removable walls, thatched roofs, and so on. It all depends on local conditions.

This course looks at a variety of local conditions. Your job is to examine the planning responses and how well local conditions have been accounted for. We have chosen China, North America, Australia and Pacific island states to give a taste of the variety of ways people approach the art and science of planning.

The blogs from last year have been left posted to give an idea of how the site has been used.