27523 Planning for Sustainable Destinations

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject examines the application of environmental planning principles and practices to the level and quality of provision of facilities and settings for leisure and tourism experiences. The need for and role of environmental planning are defined in the context of leisure and tourism. Those aspects of state environmental planning legislation and practice that most directly impinge on leisure and tourism are examined in detail, in the context of achieving certain general aims and objectives. Environmental planning practices examined include plan formulation and preparation, processes and mechanisms of development control, including zoning and development standards, means of financing planning actions, and environmental impact assessment. While the focus is on the New South Wales planning system, this is primarily as an illustration of how planning affects leisure and tourism in practice, and some attention is paid to interstate and international examples.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. identify the scope and purpose of various forms of environmental planning intervention as they apply to leisure and tourism
2. understand how environmental planning addresses certain contemporary issues that relate to the provision of leisure/tourism facilities and quality of leisure/tourism experiences
3. demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of state environmental planning legislation and practice as they apply to leisure and tourism development
4. critically assess and evaluate environmental planning instruments, policies, reports and practices relevant to leisure and tourism
5. establish and select appropriate planning strategies for the development of leisure and tourism facilities and places, the management of appropriate environmental settings and the resolution of related issues.

Contribution to graduate profile

Planning for Sustainable Destinations is a core unit in the Bachelor of Management in Tourism, Bachelor of Management in Leisure and Bachelor of Management in Tourism and Hospitality. The intent of this subject is to provide students seeking to develop management careers in tourism and leisure with an understanding of environmental planning principles and practices relevant to their field of study. In particular, the subject develops an understanding of how environmental planning shapes the quality and quantity of spaces, places and facilities which provide the settings for leisure and tourism experiences, and seeks to ensure that such provisions are compatible with and contribute to the sustainable development of communities, and tourism infrastructure and facilities.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include: lectures, discussions/workshops based on prescribed readings, role plays and practical tasks, guest speakers, audio-visual presentations, student presentations and independent project work. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Introduction to environmental planning
• Aims/objectives of planning
• The planning process
• The planning system
• Formulation/preparation of plans
• Development control
• Financing plans
• Environmental impact assessment
• The 'planning puzzle'.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Essay (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Project (Group)

Assessment item 3: Final Examination (Individual)

Required text(s)

Gurran, N, 2007, Australian Urban Land Use Planning: Introducing Statutory Planning Practice in New South Wales, Sydney University Press, Sydney.

Recommended text(s)

Faculty of Business 2006, Guide to Writing Assignments, Faculty of Business, UTS.

Indicative references

Journals

Annals of Tourism Research

Australian Journal of Environmental Management

Australian Parks and Recreation

Australian Planner

Built Environment

Cornell HRA Quarterly

Current Issues in Tourism

International Journal of Tourism Research

International Planning Studies

Journal of Leisure Research

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

Journal of Tourism Studies

Journal of Travel Research

Journal of Urban Design

Journal of Urbanism

Leisure Management

Leisure Options

Leisure Sciences

Leisure Studies

Planning, Practice and Research

Recreation Research Review

Tourism and Hospitality Planning and Development

Tourism Management

Tourism Geographies

Town and Country Planning

Urban Policy and Research

Urban Research & Practice

World Leisure and Recreation Association Journal

Websites

AustLII (Australian Legal Information Institute) www.austlii.edu.au

Community Builders NSW www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au

Department of Environment and Climate Change, Parks & Wildlife Division (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service) www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks

Department of Planning (NSW) www.planning.nsw.gov.au

Department of State and Regional Development (NSW) www.srd.nsw.gov.au

National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Destinations (good links to other relevant sites) www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable

NSW Legislation www.legislation.nsw.gov.au

NSW Local Government Directory www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_LocalGovDirectory.asp

Planning Institute of Australia www.planning.org.au

Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre www.crctourism.com.au

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority www.shfa.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Olympic Park Authority www.sopa.nsw.gov.au

Tourism New South Wales www.tourism.nsw.gov.au