Urban Planning

Develop and embed an understanding and insight into the origins, status, and objectives of land use planning in the UK, along with the formal mechanisms and thought processes that drive it forward at a time of constant change. You will be asked to consider the importance of sustainable development as a strategic aim of planning, and how this is interpreted in different ways by the range of stakeholders who engage in the planning system.

Examine how the use of land is theoretically allocated within urban and non-urban environments using the classical economic theory of the free market mechanism of the property markets for rent. Socio-economic factors driving the supply and demand of property for both occupation and investment to the real estate market are considered as are other evolving factors including government intervention. Cycles of economic activity and its impact on the cradle-to-grave development process are also examined. Students will be able to recognise that in practice developing and bringing a property to market involves many different professions, whose roles and conduct are considered and in relation to the ownership of real estate interests.

Develop the research skills required to navigate the ever changing flow of socio-political planning discourse from academia, practice and the public, whilst informing your own approach to research. Operational practices around how others undertake research and its dissemination, alternative approaches, drivers and motivations, along with sources used for supportive evidence, data types and methods of data collection and analysis will be discussed. Essential to the module will be understanding how to recognise assumptions, theoretical underpinnings, bias and what is and is not being privileged in various publication types. The fundamental assumptions upon which social science is founded will be outlined and debated. An understanding of levels of analysis, micro, meso and macro will be explained. This will help you develop your critical thinking along with understanding the perspectives that make most sense to you.

Gain insight into the real-world dynamics of the planning process in the UK, through a critical review of the prescribed stages of plan-making at a range of strategic levels and spatial contexts.

Explore the financial motivations of primarily private-sector developers and the public-sector obligations of local planning authorities, and how these can be balanced through early liaison to produce a positive building development outcome.

Understand the need for valuations, the valuation process for a range of property types and the principal valuation approaches required for market valuations and compensation claims in cases of compulsory purchase. That knowledge, combined with an understanding of the RICS Valuation – Global Standards, the RICS Rules of Conduct and Valuer Registration, will enable you to understand how valuers are obliged to act ethically and professionally in providing valuation advice. Various methods of valuation are reviewed and a critical reflection of these methods is also developed to understand the limitations of the valuations that may be reviewed.

Build a critical understanding of how the planning system addresses the challenges of climate change and promotes sustainable urban (and non-urban) environments, with selected examples of best practice.

Dive into the mix of regulations, negotiation techniques and collaborative processes to create vibrant neighbourhood plans and learn how to resolve the tensions and conflicting values of different stakeholders in the development of a consensus-based spatial strategy.

Conduct a self-directed, independent research project reflecting the culmination of your studies on a topic that reflects the current and critical areas that concern planning matters within the built environment.