University of Technology Sydney

17134 Capstone Project: Property Development

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: School of the Built Environment
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 17127 Valuation Methodology AND 17131 Construction Technology and Regulation AND 17129 Property Market Risk and Analysis
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject focuses on a major project drawing together all the learning students have covered throughout their course. Students prepare a development proposal commencing from the site acquisition stage though to the proposed completion of the project. The focus centres on a medium to large scale mixed use development proposal.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Identify the various ways a developer can secure a site for a potential development project.
2. Identify the key areas for analysing market evidence
3. Understand the concept of sustainability in the property sector
4. Understand of key government strategies for housing
5. Identify the key challenges facing property developers.
6. Complete a hypothetical development that uses gross and net realisation, profit and risk, development, legal and holding costs, to determine a hypothetical residual land value.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop alternative, appropriate creative solutions to built environment issues (I.1)
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive theoretical understanding of property valuation methodologies together with the capacity to prepare valuation assessments to a professional standard (P.1)
  • Apply a comprehensive understanding of property market drivers and key risk analysis techniques applicable to contemporary industry based practice (P.3)
  • Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of built environment law and procedures in a variety of property-related contexts (P.4)
  • Apply a comprehensive theoretical understanding of sustainable urban development principles to contemporary property development contexts (P.5)
  • Apply a comprehensive understanding of contemporary theory in the financial management and financing of property developments to professional practice (P.7)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to property development (R.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

Online learning activities will continuously reinforce the learning content for students throughout each week. The
emphasis is on "learning by doing," and undertaking practical tasks and discussion forums on the various topics within
this subject. Zoom sessions will provide hands on guidance through the major assignments

Content (topics)

Fundamentals of property development

Development concepts of a diverse housing sector

Sustainable property development

Government strategies

Challenges and Trends

Development Financial Feasibility

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Quiz

Intent:

This assessment item tests concepts found in Modules 1, 2, 3, 4 which focuses on fundamental principles and development concepts.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

I.1, P.1, P.3 and P.5

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%

Assessment task 2: Case Study Report

Intent:

This assignment provides you the opportunity to research and decipher the current state of the greater Sydney housing market, the critical housing supply shortage and provide your original recommendations as possible solutions that may support government and the private sector to better manage the housing sector.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

P.1, P.3 and R.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 3: Feasibility Proposal Report

Intent:

This assignment engages students to prepare a professional quality development proposal report to a hypothetical developer/ investor for acquisition of a site that has potential for higher density mixed use. This activity will provide an opportunity for you to showcase their learning throughout their UTS journey and present a written report that captures all the necessary and relevant information that would be typically expected in a real environment.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 5 and 6

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

P.1, P.4 and P.7

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total mark.