This module provides an introduction to urban and regional planning focusing on the operation of the modern day planning system and an examination of contemporary planning issues. Changing patterns of urban development are considered as well as changing government attitudes to planning and the shape of the urban environment. The module will give students an overview of how the modern day planning system operates and a feel for the tools that town planners have at their disposal to manage and shape land use development.
The module is divided into five component parts. After the introduction to the module in part one the students are introduced to planning theory in part two and its use in helping us to understand the nature and outcomes of planning practice. The third part of the module looks at planning practice including the legislative framework of planning, the organisation of the planning system and the operation of the development management and the development plan systems. The fourth part of the module will explore a range of key contemporary planning issues including the recent planning reforms, community involvement, urban design, and transport planning. The final part of the module will focus on revision and preparation for the examination.
A key element of this module is the degree of practitioner input that should help students gain a “real world” perspective on the operation on the contemporary planning system.