This book is the first comprehensive Australian planning text to be written in over 30 years. It incorporates both theory and current practice, providing an overview of the discipline. It provides a comprehensive view of the major issues and principal activities which occupy planning practitioners today. Further, and most importantly, the conceptual framework of the text is underpinned by the tenets of sustainability and social equity, reflecting the breadth of the authors' planning expertise, theoretical positions and practice experience. The book defines and contextualizes planning in terms of its theoretical, ideological and professional foundations. The history of the discipline, its relationship to broader governance structures and its legislative framework are canvassed. Specific issues central to planning practice today are explored and discussed. Richly illustrated with current case study examples, Planning Australia will have broad appeal for those with an interest in planning - students, community groups, practitioners and the concerned citizen.

Table of Contents

Contributors; Case studies; Discussion points; List of tables; List of figures; List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Table of statutes; Introduction Susan Thompson; Part I. Frameworks: 1. What is planning? Susan Thompson; 2. Government, people and politics Peter Williams; 3. Planning as a profession Nancy Marshall; 4. A history of planning Robert Freestone; 5. Planning and the legislative framework Peter Williams; Part II. Key Issues: 6. The natural environment Peter Williams; 7. The metropolis Peter Murphy; 8. Planning for rural landscapes Ian Sinclair and Raymond Bunker; 9. Planning for regions in Australia Paul Collits; 10. Planning for diverse communities Susan Thompson; 11. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians Ed Wensing; 12. Community participation: to be involved or not to be involved - is that the question? Robert Zehner and Nancy Marshall; 13. Urban design Alexander Cuthbert; 14. Planning for heritage conservation and management Robyn Conroy; 15. Urban infrastructure Brendan Gleeson, Jodi Dong and Nicolas Low; 16. Conclusion: Planning Australia into the future Susan Thompson; Index.

About the Author

Susan Thompson is Associate Professor and Head of the Planning and Urban Development Program in the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales.