Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Aims: This module explores what planning is today and in the near future, helping students to link their motivations and values to tackling societal challenges It explores planning as a profession (and different specialisms within it), situating it within the social sciences while mapping its connections to other disciplines, including the arts. In Semester 1 it focuses on planning as a discipline and outlines its potential to tackle the key urban challenges of the Twenty-First Century in the UK and beyond. In Semester 2 the module continues this focus while helping students to think about their own future work or activity in relation to these issues.

Outline Of Syllabus

Outline of syllabus:
In semester 1 (10 credits), the module focuses on planning’s role in managing urban change in the UK particularly. It then critically examines planning’s role in tackling key grand challenges such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It explores how planning sits alongside other professions/roles in delivering change to place, with an introduction to the different specialisms within planning itself. A case study development site will be explored in more depth to understand critically how planning (and other) professionals coordinate their expertise to deliver development. An examination of a current development and related planning documents will support students’ learning and create the context for the first assignment.

In semester 2 (10 credits), the module will investigate professional and other perspectives on planning through a lecture with interactive activities and a fieldtrip that will bring real world planning into focus in relation to the grand challenges that were introduced in semester 1. A directed programme of interactions with plans and planners, and skill-development sessions will allow students to complete their second assignment, the Reflective Piece.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes:
- To provide students with an awareness of different perspectives on what planning is, of what planning is not, and its potential in tackling the urban challenges of the present and future.
- To provide students with an appreciation of the complexities of planning and of what it means in different contexts, setting the foundations for their studies and future career or other aspirations in the field of planning and related disciplines and professions.
- To provide students with insights into professionalism and ethical conduct.
- To provide students with an understanding of how power and politics can impact planning, as both a discipline and profession.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The module aims to develop professional planning skills, such as:
-       Researching policy relating to a specific location.
-       Understanding, critiquing and evaluating professionally written reports.
-       Writing reports to a local planning committee audience.
-       Reflecting on the value of planning, the role of the professional expert and their own personal development.
-       Skills of understanding aspects of planning practice, how they fit together and how they may vary according to where planners practice.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will deliver key concepts and provide insight from and planning professionals.

Practicals and fieldwork will provide students with opportunities for hands-on activity and discussion with peers and academic staff on complex and contested issues.

Structured Guided Learning offers alternative methods to explore and critique key concepts.

Structured Independent Study allows students to prepare for their assessment submission with tailored synchronous and non-synchronous materials.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Semester 1 fieldwork and Report recreate a real-life process where students (acting as professionals) offer their professional expertise and judgement in relation to a proposed development on a local site as well as thinking about a particular planning specialism.

The Semester 2 Role Play Practical and Reflective Piece together encourage students to explore the point of view of stakeholders related to the fieldwork/case study material, incorporating learning from the lectures and guest speaker. They will draw on learning that has taken place throughout the module, considering the professional values and skills explored on the module, and considering their own personal development as they progress into Stage 2.

The Role Play allows the students to learn in a simulated planning-related setting, developing their verbal and dialogue skills in a playful atmosphere. They will get ideas from each other's presentation and what they do in the role play feeds directly into creating a written piece that they further polish and submit as part of the Reflective Piece.

General Notes

The module will be compulsory and core for K421 and K400
The module will be compulsory for LK74