Urban and Regional Planning – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The educational aims of the programme are:

Comprehensive – to develop in students from a variety of first disciplines comprehensive and integrated understanding of the context, nature and theory of spatial planning which pursues sustainable development, and of its application in practice, as well as knowledge in depth of a named planning specialism.

Professional – to educate students at postgraduate level to the point at which they are ready to undertake preparation for the Assessment of Professional Competence in planning as required by the RTPI.

Promote wider skills – to develop in students a high level of the personal qualities required to pursue a career in planning, including creativity, professionalism, the habit of lifelong learning and critical reflection, and a positive response to change the workplace, the built environment and its governance.

Inclusive – to instil a respect for diversity, an appreciation of social inclusion as a goal of planning, and an awareness of the role that values and attitudes play in managing change in the built environment.

Problem Solving– to develop an advanced ability to define research and devise solutions to planning problems.

Interdisciplinary – to take advantage of the programme’s location in an urban studies discipline which includes teaching and research strengths in estate management and development, regeneration and housing, and which lies within a wider school of the built environment in Scotland, whilst also taking advantage of the wide-ranging international experience of academic staff.

Programme Structure

The programme is also offered as a two year part-time option with courses available one day per week and is also available to independent distant learners. The programme has been structured around three core project-based courses:

• The Strategic Spatial Vision Project: develop advanced understanding of, and skills in, the preparation and evaluation of spatial visions and strategies and competence in the professional skills of analysis, evaluation and prescription of policy in an urban context

• Governance, Participation and Community Planning: To develop experience and understanding of community participation and engagement, and develop the soft skills of partnership working, through a practical exercise in a local community

• Sustainable Design and Development: To develop a critical understanding of the complexity of urban design principles and practice, including sustainability issues and of the development process, incorporating evaluating the financial implications of development and the factors influencing the development decision.

These projects are supported by core taught courses:

Spatial Planning : to introduce concepts of spatial planning at different spatial scales and reflection on the implementation and impact of planning policies

Planning Theories: Critical exploration of the key intellectual debates about planning theory and practice

Transport and environment: To develop a critical awareness of thenature and importance of transport andland use inter-relationships and the rolesof urban managers in relation to these.

Social Sustainability: to introduce a range of ways of thinking about sustainability and equity spatially and across economies.

Urban Infrastructure and Resource Management: to introducekey concepts in urban drainage, floodingprevention, remediation of contaminatedland, waste management and the designand management of open land.

In addition, students are expected to develop through their coursework and dissertation in depth knowledge in one of the following specialisms:

• Environmental policy and management

• Urban Design

• Land and property markets

The programme also places importance on the preparation of a personal development plan (PDP) which links the learning experience to wider skills and employability of each student. The PDP is therefore seen as an integral part of the programme.

About the Programme Leader

Sarah McIntosh is a Chartered Town Planner with extensive experience of planning projects. She is widely experienced in market appraisals, area development initiatives, housing projects, environmental assessments and in the design, implementation and analysis of interview and surveys. She lectures on urban regeneration, evaluation and appraisal techniques, the planning and development process and urban policy.

Whilst working for Planning and Economic Consultants she worked on a number of Area Development and Policy Evaluation Studies, including the evaluation of housing projects and policies and in particular, the collection and the analysis of public authority data and policies. She has previously worked in the public sector and has considerable experience of the work and procedures of Local Authorities and other public agencies.