Master of Property Development (MPD) Faculty of Built Environment Post Professional Degree
Never Stand Still
Built Environment
The Master of Property and Development (MPD) is designed for professionals who manage urban development as well as those who develop and invest in the built environment, focussing on creativity, problem solving and an interdisciplinary approach. The program combines built environment and commerce perspectives to reect both European and North American approaches to real estate, together with an Asian focus. Each year nations commit more than half their capital outlays to land development, building and infrastructure. The challenge is the ability to rapidly move from essentially responding to client requirements for structures to providing business solutions and sustainable communities. This makes property development a key sector of the economy. This degree has been designed to meet the needs of those who wish to work at the cutting edge of these changes. It caters for people seeking careers in development, investment and management of property and infrastructure and the professions that serve this industry. It also provides valuable education to those broadening their current professional bases in architecture, landscape architecture, construction, engineering, urban planning and law.
Program Structure Master of Property and Development (8127) 3 semesters, 1.5 years full time. Part time option available. A total of 72 units of credit (UOC) are required, consisting of 6 core courses (36 UOC) and 6 elective courses (36 UOC). Students can undertake a generalist Master of Property and Development study, or choose one of the following specialisations: • Development & Investment • Assets & Facilities Management.
Core Courses Property Investment This course offers a systematic analysis of the principles and methods of contemporary property investment, including modern portfolio theory. Property is viewed as one among several asset classes in financial markets. Property Development This course examines the process of property development, in the context of pluralistic market economics and underpins the analysis with economic theory. It covers all aspects of the development process from evaluation, through preparation, implementation, to disposal, and uses projects and cases to give students skills in organising and solving feasibility analysis problems. Modern Property This course explores how real estate needs to be understood and traverses the core areas of this diverse field including facility management. The real estate industry is rapidly moving from essentially responding to client requirements for structures towards providing business solutions and sustainable communities.
Land and Environmental Law This course explores all elements pertinent to Land and Environmental Law; Planning, Planning legislation, Environmental planning instruments, Environment – common law - statute - role of public and pressure groups, environmental planning control, environment assessment, heritage legislation. Land law – public and private, Estates and tenures, Co-ownership, Leases, Easements, Restrictive covenants, Licenses, Residential tenancies tribunal. Old system title, Possessory title, Torrens title, Land Titles Office practice, Sale of land, Other methods of transferring land, Crown land tenures, Strata title, Community title. Alternative models including other countries, Critical perspective, Heritage Law. Planning & Land Policy This course investigates the objectives of planning; The history of land use planning in Australia; The achievement of planning objectives; Planning authorities; Planning codes and development plans; Statutory powers of planning authorities; Planning procedures; Control of the development process; Retail development; Commercial development; Industrial and warehouse development; Special development; Environmental impact assessment; Government intervention in land use matters; Public finance and planning; Political considerations and planning and development; Planning and housing policy; Urban decay and renewal; Conservation, preservation, redevelopment. Sustainable Development & Urban Environment This course is a review of innovative approaches to the planning, design and management of the ‘sustainable city,’ with an emphasis on techniques which seek to maintain and/or improve air quality, water quality and biodiversity. Topics include principles of urban ecology and sustainable development, the ecological ‘footprint’ of the metropolis, water cycle management, urban design and transportation issues, urban forestry, parks systems and greenways, use of tools for assessment/evaluation.
Extended Core Courses Development & Investment Major Property Finance Accepting the premise that real estate encompasses land, property and infrastructure, this course considers how the development, operation and investment of real estate are financed. It places contemporary financial practice within a context of theory and recent history of change in the financial sector of national and global economies. Project Management This course is an introduction to the concept of project management: project management theory; project delivery strategies; organisation of projects from design to commissioning; role of project manager; organisation structure; managing cultural diversity; leadership in project management; negotiation; conflict management. Case Studies in Urban Development & Design This course presents and analyses generic examples of urban development and design assembled from both Australia and the SE Asian region. This is to assess the validity of the objectives, the effectiveness of the process, and the costs and benefits of the results in improving the city and the welfare of its citizens. The major object is to demonstrate through practical examples how major developments are conceived, financed, designed and built. Asset & Facilities Management Major Asset & Facilities Management This course introduces the key issues in facilities management and how it relates to organisational strategies within the context of corporate infrastructure resourcing. Topics include facility planning, financial forecasting, maintenance and operation, real estate strategies, property management, and performance measurement as enablers of business.
Energy and the Built Environment This course analyses energy definitions and terminology including energy flows, balance, options, demand and supply solutions, in the context of the Built Environment. Urban energy infrastructure impact, energy in transportation, global warming and environmental impact assessments are considered. Use of tools for assessment/evaluation (performance simulation and benchmarking) plus future technologies, architectural impact and regional development implications.
Professional Accreditation
Human Factors, Sustainability and Habitability This course explores the impact of buildings and urban environments on quality of life or habitability and of values and preferences on sustainability or quality of the environment. It focuses on five fundamental human factors: environmental responsibility; health and wellbeing; comfort and amenity; safety and security; and economic and social equity. Frameworks are used to facilitate critical examination of the diverse interactions between people and place, including evaluation of built environment performance and consideration of design and management strategies for intervention and change management.
Applicants require a recognised three year Bachelor degree with credit average or above. Professional experience is considered when selecting applicants.
Electives Students are required to complete 6 electives (36 UOC). All electives can be selected from any UNSW postgraduate program subject to the Director of Disciplines approval. Students may take a 12 UOC research project in place of 12 UOC of electives subject to approval. To graduate with a Development & Investment major or Asset & Facilities major, students are required to complete 3 electives (18 UOC).
Career Outcomes Graduates from this program have an opportunity to work in a wide range of areas in the industry, such as valuation, property development, property analysis, property finance, property agency, property management, and asset and facilities management.
Graduates can become members of: • Australian Property Institute (API) • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) subject to the relevant institutions designated practical experience requirement.
How to Apply
Applications can be made directly to the university at apply.unsw.edu.au Application close dates: Semester 1, 2014: 28 November 2013 Semester 2, 2014: 30 May 2014 For further information on eligibility or how to apply, contact: Domestic Applicants Student Centre on (02) 9385 4799 or fbe@unsw.edu.au International Applicants International Office on +61 2 9385 6996 or internationaloffice@unsw.edu.au For more information on the Master of Property and Development (8127) visit UNSW Built Environment website be.unsw.edu.au
Alumni ProďŹ le
Chewy Chang Master of Property & Development, 2008 Sustainability Manager Stockland
Nearing the end of my studies in the Bachelor of Architecture program at UNSW, I had a growing desire to learn more about the property development process. Having worked for a large property developer in Australia, I realised there was more to the property development process than just design. I decided to persue my Masters degree at UNSW Built Environment because of the strong focus on research and innovation. The research environment fostered a different way of thinking and students are encouraged to think innovatively to develop solutions to issues or problems. The Master of Property and Development (MPD) degree was appealing for its content, and was structured in a pragmatic manner that supported both my work and study schedules. The degree combines past and proven theory with current thinking and approaches to contemporary issues in the property development process. It was great to listen to guest lecturers, who were often professionals working in the industry, who outlined key issues, approaches and solutions. I have been able to gain a better appreciation of the property development process, in particular where various stakeholders work together to deliver a
development that positively impacts society whilst meeting regulatory, environmental, social, and profitability needs. The key learning from the program has been useful in the professional roles I have been engaged in both Australia and the U.S. It has also helped to reinforce the experience I have acquired whilst working for real estate developers and clients on consulting engagements. After completing the MPD program in 2008, I was employed by a U.S. based management consulting firm in San Francisco. It was a fantastic opportunity as I was able to experience a different professional environment as well as undertake travel pursuits. The professional experience was great as the turbulent economic situation provided a backdrop for consulting engagements for commercial property clients with financially distressed property assets. Whilst there were stressful moments and very early conference calls (with most clients based in New York), being immersed in the fast pace was a great learning experience. Since returning to Australia in 2010, I am now employed at one of Australia’s largest diversified listed property groups as a Sustainability Manager.
CRICOS: 00098G