Aims

1. Develop an understanding of the “environment”, looking in particular at the physical, biological and social environments.
2. Understand and synthesise competing views and underlying assumptions in environmental policy planning debates within the wider context of sustainability.
3. Understand and become conversant with a wide array of tools and techniques in use and developed in the field of environmental planning and management.
4. Develop an awareness of today’s environmental challenges and threats, and an understanding of the current global debates.
5. Develop creative thinking and visioning, i.e. thinking outside the box, problem formulation and research and communication skills.

The module aims to introduce participants to key environmental issues and processes within the overall context of sustainable development, from the perspective of planning. The underlying principle of the module is that the “environment” must be taken into account in policy planning for sustainable development to ensure participatory and accountable decision-making in managing change and development, whilst preserving and enhancing environmental values and resources.

Outline Of Syllabus

The course commences with a deconstruction of the terms “environment” and “sustainability”. Within this context the changing relationship between society and the environment is analysed and the existing threats that the physical, biological and social environments are facing are presented. Subsequently, how planning can promote sustainable development is discussed, and environmental planning and management tools and techniques are introduced, particularly focussing on strategic and project level environmental assessment. Finally, whether sustainable development represents a solution to the existing environmental threats and to the global environmental challenge, is explored.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will be delivered via both, scheduled and structured learning activities. These include present in person lectures which will provide both carefully curated content and guidance through the reading list as well as opportunities for students to ask questions, seek clarifications or expand on the discussions with the module leader and their peers. These sessions will also guide students through a series of structured learning activities, which will be explained and related to the module learning outcomes, and reading recommendations will be made.

The lectures covering different topics aim to provide a conceptual background for understanding the environment and sustainable development, and the role of planning in managing (environmental) change for sustainable development. The readings provide students with the opportunity to develop a more in-depth understanding of environmental and sustainability debates within the context of policy- and plan-making, and of the challenges in doing so. The structured learning exercises provide students with the opportunity to discuss further the complex issues explored in the lectures and in the selected readings in a structured way, and to critically reflect on the interactions and tensions between the different dimensions of sustainable development, and their implications on environmental planning. All activities aim to support and guide students in the preparation for assessed coursework.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment by essay is designed to test the student's ability to assemble and synthesise appropriate information to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of environmental systems and sustainable development and their relationship to planning practice.