The general aim of the elective is to enhance the experience of students in a small group context through exposure to new and different urban contexts, planning ideas, systems, planning projects and urban management processes. The course will involve an intensive, intensive guided field investigation of planning issues variously in international, interstate or non-metropolitan settlements with a focus on issues such as growth management, heritage, sustainability, urban design, transportation, strategic planning, and contemporary redevelopment and renewal projects. The elective will entail visits to or inputs from government agencies, local authorities, developers and planning consultants. Students will be required to pay costs of transport from and to Sydney, accommodation, meals, and incidental costs. Affordable motel or college-style accommodation would be negotiated. Students would be engaged individually and collectively in a major research and/or design project, the preparation for which would commence in the session preceding the trip with additional post-trip research, writing and presentation. Courses would be run subject to resources and student demand.