Urban Planning & Development (BSc)

Our approach is based upon a commitment to provide the highest quality teaching. As far as possible, we aim to teach in small groups because we believe this encourages a more positive learning environment between staff and students and among students themselves. Typically you will study six modules per year and will receive 15 hours of guided study per week.

We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. Our courses foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management.

How will I be supported?

As well as having regular feedback from your personal tutor in each course, you will have a reading week each semester for guided study and a chance to catch up on assessed work, reading and revision. These weeks are also used by staff to visit students on their year abroad.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback

We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback lectures, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance

Coursework will be marked by your module tutor and your tutor will give you written feedback on your work. You will also have a feedback class after each assessment. Students will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following the May/June examination period and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor as part of the monitored student self-assessment scheme.

How will I be assessed?

A range of assessment methods are used, including essays, examinations, presentations, portfolios and creative assignments.

We encourage innovation and creativity in the delivery and assessment of teaching and learning, for example the use of geographical information systems, cartographic tools, digital media and field study visits. You will receive skills training from presentation of critical thinking through film-based assessments.

Essays and examinations are used not only for assessment purposes but also as a means of developing your capacities to gather, organise, evaluate and deploy relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments. Dedicated essay workshops and individual advice enable you to produce your best work, and written feedback on essays feeds forward into future work, enabling you to develop your strengths and address any weaker areas.

The final-year research project provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic of interest to you in depth and to acquire detailed knowledge about a particular field of study, to use your initiative in the collection and presentation of material and present a clear, cogent argument and draw appropriate conclusions.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• interpret and evaluate the role of the planning system in managing change in the built environment and natural environment in both the short and longer term with reference to the planning policies of central government, local government and other institutions.
• Interpret and evaluate the political, legal, institutional and organisational context of planning practice by making recommendations on how organisations may improve effectiveness in addressing an identified planning issue.
• Identify, select, and use practical project-based skills, design and financial appraisal skills from an urban design perspective.
• Accurately define a practical issue or problem for investigation, study or research and devise a strategy for collecting, assessing, analysing and presenting relevant data and information.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to interpret and evaluate practical and theoretical understandings with regard to:

• notions of equality of opportunity, social and cultural diversity, and the sustainable use of natural and human resources
• individual and collective rights that may be represented through and impacted upon by planning systems and decisions
• the role of government and public participation in a democratic society and in the balancing of individual and collective rights and interests
•  ‘subject skills’, including creativity, problem-solving, forecasting, and monitoring.
• the protection of personal health and safety at work and the health and safety of others.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Practical and theoretical understandings of being a reflective practitioner, identifying the skills and knowledge they are acquiring in the classroom.
• Ability to take responsibility for the development of a self-critical and challenging approach to their own planning practice.
• Interpretation and evaluation of the concept of rights and the legal and practical implications of representing these rights in the planning decision making process

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Show key skills in listening, arguing, leadership, advocacy, and problem solving Identify, select and use key skills to communicate spatial and planning-related information to different audiences by presenting information to colleagues and other professionals
• Take responsibility for engaging successfully in collaborative and multidisciplinary working through working as part of a team, responding appropriately to colleagues’ requests and making clear one’s own demands on colleagues
• Exercise autonomy and judgement for effective self-management by setting and adhering to work priorities, making effective use of time and identifying opportunities for input from colleagues, other professionals and stakeholders
• Exercise responsibility and judgement for managing and presenting information effectively using a range of different media and through the use of information technology
• Evaluate the principles and processes of design for creating high quality places and enhancing the public realm for the benefit of all in society
• Evaluate different development strategies and the practical application of development finance; assess the implications for generating added value for the community