Module Catalogue 2024/25

TCP3061 : Contemporary Planning Issues

TCP3061 : Contemporary Planning Issues

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Rose Gilroy
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr Cat Button
  • Lecturer: Dr Alexander Wilson, Dr Natalia Villamizar Duarte, Dr David Webb, Dr William Otchere-Darko, Professor Geoff Vigar, Dr Abigail Schoneboom, Dr Jane Midgley
  • Deputy Module Leader: Dr Georgiana Varna
  • Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module seeks to provide students with the opportunity to explore contemporary planning issues within the context of contemporary practice. The module explores the current system design of planning practice, its possibilities and its limitations. It reflects on the role of politics (in its broadest sense to include local authority context, partnership working and the community and key stakeholders), the latest techniques (such as negotiating, partnership working) and emerging topics (e.g. levelling up; outsourcing of planning; ageing, planning and housing; rural policy; digital tools).

The assignment includes an individual practice style report reflecting on a particular planning issue, supported by relevant evidence.

Outline Of Syllabus

- Module talk will provide an overview of the module and the assessments
- Lectures and workshops will cover a variety of contemporary planning issues (subject to change due to reacting to current situations)
Some example topics:
- The state of planning in England
- The housing crisis
- Digital interfaces
- Localism
- Outsourcing of planning
- Drop-in/surgery sessions allow students to ask questions in preparation for their report on a contemporary planning issue

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

For students to gain an understanding of:

(i) the capacity and capabilities of planning and planners to engage with the requirements made of planning in an English context.
(ii) the importance of the political/administrative context in which they plan
(iii) particular contemporary issues, how they play out in a planning context and an ability to critique this/these practice(s)

Intended Skill Outcomes

For students to gain the skills of being able to
(i) think critically about the planning system and planning practices
(ii) reflect on a contemporary issue, and planning’s response to that issue critically
(iii) write an evidence-supported practice report, including the evidence base where appropriate.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture91:009:00Lectures from different contributors each week
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion185:0085:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading92:0018:00A two hour reading task provided by each contributor each week
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops92:0018:00A two hour activity facilitated by contributor, linked to structured guided learning, with questions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery22:004:002 drop-in sessions for students to ask questions linked to second assessment
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study164:0064:00Independent Study and online chat via Canvas
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk21:002:00Intro to module; how to access and use materials. Module summary: report writing; assessments.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A lecture from a different contributing expert each week enable students to build their understanding of a variety of contemporary planning issues. This is supported by a reading task provided by each contributor each week and a two hour workshop facilitated by the contributor, potentially linked to the guided reading, giving students a weekly opportunity to ask questions and develop their capacity for critical reflection. The workshops support understanding of the capacity and capabilities of planning and planners to engage with the contemporary planning issues covered, as well as appreciation of the importance of the political/administrative context. The drop-in sessions support the students in reflecting in depth on a contemporary issue in planning, as well as supporting their development of skills in writing an evidence-based report.
There are 33 contact hours for this module.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M30Essay: Critically reflecting upon UK planning today (1500 words)
Report2M70Critical report on contemporary planning issues (2,500 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

These assessments enable students to reflect critically on a range of policy mechanisms and issues related to the particular contemporary planning issue they seek to explore, and to critically reflect on UK planning today.

The second assignment also seeks to ensure students are confident with report style writing ahead of becoming professionals in whatever field they seek to take up.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.