Planning Built Environments - MA

This module introduces you to the planning system as it currently exists, how it has evolved since its creation, and how far this reflects the building blocks of spatial planning as viewed through the economic, social and environmental foundations.  It contributes to the formation of personal and professional ethics and values and to your lifelong appreciation of how the core values of planning apply in changing circumstances.  Through this critical assessment informed by these different foundations we examine what the planning system has gained, has lost, and may need to rediscover.  The module asks critical questions about the role and purpose of planning and considers the assumptions which underpin planning practice. 

This module introduces you to the role of governance within planning and decision making, including legal issues, rights, and stakeholder/participation-related issues. It explores multi-level and multi-scalar decision making that can be both formal and informal, and addresses the skills needed for planners and planning lawyers to facilitate this process. Key environmental issues, such as climate change, sustainable energy and water management are used as examples with which to explore these issues, as are other planning issues such as transport and protective designations.

This module therefore helps you to understand how to translate the theories of environmental governance into practical solutions for the way forward.

This integrative module enables you to apply knowledge gained in modules throughout the programme to a “real life” practical scenario based assessment. It will provide an understanding of the factors influencing development decisions and how to evaluate possible development solutions in the context of client requirements. You will work in interdisciplinary teams to meet the requirements of your client. The module encourages you to develop competence in evaluating information and will extend your communication and problem solving skills. These are all vitally important in a professional practice situation.

This module will be delivered to Masters programmes in Building Surveying, Real Estate Management and Planning.

‘Sustainability in Planning Practice’ (SPP) focuses on key sustainability challenges inherent in day-today planning in England and further afield. This module gives the planning student an insight into the current range of public and private sector sustainable development responsibilities and enables the student to familiarise themselves with key planning law, regulations and policies (including associated relevant ‘tests’/requirements). The module includes an overview of key valuation and measurement methods and provides many opportunities to scrutinise planning policy guidance, frameworks and tools. The module uses examples and case study/ies to elicit the range of ‘values’ associated with planning and development and supports the student in acquiring skills and knowledge for dealing with potentially conflicting economic, social and environmental interests and priorities in the different arenas in which a planner would find themselves.

This module will develop your understanding of spatial planning through engagement with the ideas about the creation and management of ‘place’ in different economic, environmental, historical and social contexts. Placemaking is a holistic and global concept that applies to built and natural environments, and it is central to successful spatial planning. Placemaking relates to ‘urban design’, but has also a wider theoretical focus less design and more geography based. This module will allow you to appreciate, at first hand, the processes that contribute to create high quality and inclusive places. The assignments will enable you to work on a placemaking project in answer to a client brief. Where possible, this will be a real-life project.

The module enables you to understand the importance of working within the boundaries of established professional best practice. It focuses on the skills and competencies that are required in practice to meet professional standards and expectations. This includes ethics; stakeholder analysis; business presentation skills; negotiation; conflict management, team working; reflexivity etc. The module is designed to encourage action research and develop your capacity to address the changing needs of the built environment professions and the wider industry, giving you currency within the market.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed Level 7 project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying and informed by the research strategy of your school, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.