Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to provide the students with an introduction to the UK planning system and a number of key themes that are critical to planning policies and regulations. It examines the evolution of the planning system and its changing social, political and institutional contexts. It focuses on both development plans and development management. Focusing on England, it offers a critical, historical understanding of how the statutory planning system works and the role of institutional and regulatory environments in which it operates. The module also provides a broad framework on which detailed knowledge can be built in semester 2.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus covers the following themes. The order may change according to staff availability.

Introduction to the module and the assessment.
Origin of planning in the UK
Main reforms of the planning system
Overview of how the current English planning system works at different scales
Local Plan making in practice
Neighbourhood planning
Public participation and digital planning
Introduction to development management
The discretionary process of planning decisions
Workshop on making a planning decision

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

•       A good understanding of the history of UK planning system in relation to its economic, social, environmental and political contexts.
•       Critical reflections on the changing nature and purpose of planning
•       Up-to-date knowledge of the current planning system and how it operates in practice at the national, local and neighbourhood levels.
•       Knowledge of various stakeholders involved in planning and the role of digital technologies in public participation
•       A good understanding of the development management system

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to synthesize information
The ability to think critically about how the planning system works
Clear written and verbal communication skills
The ability to prepare a plan
The ability to make decision on planning applications

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module uses blended teaching and learning.

Lectures are intended to provide overviews of different aspects of the statutory planning system. They include planning history (in terms of the major planning reforms) as well as the current operation of both local plan and development management.

Workshops are intended to give the students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they gain from the lecture and other resources to a planning case and make a decision on a planning application.

Suggested readings and a diverse range other resources are provided for more in-depth engagement.

Drop in Q&A session is intended to provide further guidance about the assignment and gain feedbacks from the
students.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Local plans constitute the forward looking and strategic dimension of the planning systems in the UK. A sound understanding of how Local Plans are produced and the role of stakeholders in plan-making process is central to planners’ professional knowledge and skills.

The assessment meets three key objectives:
1.       To prepare students to become aware of the contested nature of local plan preparation
2.       To alert students to multiple views of stakeholders on the strengths and weaknesses of local plans
3.       To encourage students to develop critical thinking and professional planning skills

To complete the assessments, students will need to familiarize themselves with the specified local plan’s policies and proposals. They need to know the main interests and priorities of various specified groups who are engaged in the local plan’s consultation process. They also need to deploy their own critical thinking and argumentation skills to provide a robust and compelling assessment of the plan.

General Notes

N/A