Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module introduces the hybridity of the planning context - political, economic, legal, others, and reflects on how planning is an expression of these different dimensions, and articulates its purposes utilising these framings. It introduces students to these contexts’ particular foundations and considerations and it utilises these disciplines, mechanisms and modes of operating to accommodate environmental and societal challenges (such as climate change, healthy living, etc.), and reflects on how planners, developers and designers have to respond to these different demands and accommodate these challenges in the proposals they produce.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will engage with the topics below (this is not a week-by-week plan):

Introduction to Planning: Exploring why planning is essential and understanding it as a multidisciplinary field.

Designing Systems: Examining system design as a political process, shaped by governance structures.

Planning in a Political Context: Understanding planning as a statutory obligation, including consultation and stakeholder engagement.

Legal Foundations of Planning: Investigating the statutory nature of planning and the role of legal challenges in decision-making.

Planning for Climate Action: Exploring strategies for mitigating climate change through planning.

Social Dimensions of Planning: Considering planning's role in addressing societal needs.

Policy Development in Planning: Examining the process of shaping planning policies.

Decision-Making in Practice: Understanding the development decision-making process.

Support Sessions: Offering tailored guidance and support.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

•       For students to be introduced to the hybrid nature of planning to gain an understanding of its underpinnings
•       For students to gain a knowledge of the different disciplines’ particular framings and contributions to the planning system
•       For students to gain an understanding of how planning policies and decisions are shaped by these contexts and concerns (legal, economic, political and others)
•       For students to gain an understanding of how planning engages with climate change, and planning for society

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       For students to be able to critique the planning system from a range of different disciplines’ understandings of its potentials and concerns

•       For students to be able to apply planning policy, consider the development economics and legal situation and reflect on planning in action to achieve particular planning aims – operating for societal benefits, climate change, in relation to planning policy making and development approval.

•       For students to develop their skills in software for poster production

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will be introduced to key ideas through a lecturing format this will include introducing students to hybrid nature of planning, reflecting on its legal, political, economic, social framing, and how this shapes Planning’s ability to plan. This will then be applied through the lectures/workshop sessions to explore how these ideas occur in practice. Some content will be provided using online material ahead of the session.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The first assignment enables students to consider how planning tackles significant societal challenges through the policy or development approval processes. The second assessment develops students' understanding in how planning engages with societal issues, and skills in digital poster production.

General Notes

This module contributes towards delivering the following ARB Prescription Criteria for Qualifications:
GC4.1/2/3; GC11.1; GA.5

This module contributes towards delivering the following RTPI Accreditation Learning Outcomes for Qualifications:

Spatial - 1; 2; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 12
Specialist - 4