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Study Land Planning and Development at Otago

    Creating the spaces where people live and work

    Built environments play a significant role in how we function as groups of people – suburbs, towns, cities, societies.  Additionally, there is growing concern about how we respond to the natural environments within which all human activity takes place.

    Land and land use decisions have cultural, social, legal, economic and ecosystem implications and this BSc degree offers a broad perspective on these issues.

    While it may be noticeable if our built environments are poorly designed, through studying this degree, you will recognise the attributes of excellence in planning and urban development.

    Why study Land Planning and Development?

    Land planning, land administration and the process of land subdivision have significant impacts on the layout and function of human and natural landscapes. These activities influence the way land is used, patterns of residential development and assessments of the economic potential of land. For some, land also has an important cultural value.

    This degree provides an excellent foundation for those wanting a career in planning, land development and resource management, especially in relation to the subdivision and administration of land. It differs from other New Zealand planning degrees in that it emphasises engineering design and land administration, from Pākehā and Māori perspectives, as well as covering essential aspects of New Zealand legislation that relate to land development. It encompasses the practical aspects of planning and planning law.

    Career opportunities

    This is a foundation degree for a career in aspects of surveying that relate to land development. This can lead to work in local government and private practice with surveyors, planners, land developers and urban designers.

    Note:

    Students wishing to become recognised as fully qualified professional planners have the option to undertake the two year Master of Planning (MPlan) at Otago, leading to membership of the NZ Planning Institute.

    Land Planning and Development at Otago

    What will I study?

    100-level

    If you wish to complete the BSc in Land Planning and Development, you must take the following papers:

    • MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics I
    • SURV 120 Surveying and Spatial Science
    • SURV 130 People, Place and the Built Environment
    • ENGL 228 Writing for the Professions

    200-level

    200-level papers include civil engineering, urban design, geographic information systems, land administration, land tenure and planning.

    300-level

    Papers at 300-level and above include Resource Management Act processes and offers experience in designing residential subdivisions in concept and detailed layout phases.

    Students can add papers from other degree programmes (such as Geography, Economics or Surveying) to complement their programme of study.

    How will I study?

    Land Planning and Development is a practical course as well as an academic one. You will have lectures, tutorials and workshops using computer software and Computer Aided Draughting packages, and Geographic Information Systems data gathering and analysis (including communicating spatial information).

    You will also undertake engineering labs, infrastructure inspections, site visits to view landscape and construction examples and a one week hands on field course at the end of the academic year.

    Combining Landing Planning and Development with other areas of study

    The Land Planning and Development major lends itself to combining with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geography, Business / Management, Environment and Society or Environmental Management. These compatible subjects are available as minors within the Science degree structure, allowing you to pursue a coherent line of study through to an advanced level, within the three- year degree.

    You could also combine Land Planning and Development with a second major e.g., Geography or Geographic Information Systems, if you have a passion for a second area of endeavour.

    Background required

    A background in both human and physical geography is desirable, high standards of literacy and numeracy skills, an enquiring and critical mind and a strong interest in land and the legal, ecological, economic and social environment.

    Requirements

    See all programmes

    Land Planning and Development as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    SURV 130 People, Place and the Built Environment

    MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1

    18

    18

    200-level

    Any two of:
    SURV 203 Land Development Engineering 1
    SURV 204 Land Development Engineering 2
    SURV 205 Statutory Planning 1
    SURV 206 Land Tenure 1

    36

    300-level

    Any one of
    SURV 303 Urban Design 1
    SURV 304 Land Development Engineering 3
    SURV 306 Land Tenure 2
    SURV 455 Statutory Planning 3

    18

    Total 90

    SURV papers

    Papers for "SURV" not found.

    Qualifications

    Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

    More information

    Contact us

    Department of Surveying

    Email  surveying@otago.ac.nz
    Web  otago.ac.nz/surveying

    Studying at Otago

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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