Bachelor of Environmental Planning

Summary

Our Bachelor of Environmental Planning /BEP is an interdisciplinary, research-led programme that prepares you for a career in urban and environmental planning.

Accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), the Bachelor of Environmental Planning recognises that environmental problems and solutions involve social, economic and cultural dimensions as well as the natural and physical environment.

The BEP provides you with practical, industry experience gained across labs, workshops and field trips. You'll also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events such as resource management hearings, case law presentations and mock hearings.
The BEP is a flexible and interdisciplinary degree which provides students with choices in structuring their programme of study. It takes four years to complete and prepares students for a wide range of jobs in New Zealand and overseas.

This four-year degree is divided into three streams:

All students undertake a set of compulsory papers which provides a strong foundation in Environmental Planning. These papers cover topics such as Future Cities, Planning for Environmental Change, Urban Spatial Analysis Environmental Policy and Impact Assessment, Māori Resource Management and professional skills. In addition, students must select a planning stream from three specialist areas:

• Science and the Environment
• Society and the Environment
• Te Ara Taiao: Māori and the Environment

The degree brings together papers from a range of subjects, including Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Law, Economics, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Political Science and Geography.

Further course information

Practical Experience

Many of the papers offered within the BEP contain opportunities for practical experience including labs, workshops and field trips. You'll also benefit from guest lecturers and practical activities, and will attend industry-focused events such as resource management hearings, urban design evaluations and environmental impact assessment workshops.

As you progress in your programme of study you are expected to undertake a wide range of practical activities as part of your assessments. Preparation of technical reports, GIS applications, resource consent applications, district plans, resource management plans, cultural impact assessments, policy position papers are examples of the intended practical experience component.