Town Planning MSc

Core modules

• Planning - Principles and Concepts

  You'll be introduced to the central concepts which define contemporary practice and research in spatial planning, encouraging you to develop a conceptual framework to underpin the purposes and nature of spatial planning. The social, economic, political and environmental contexts for planning, including their theoretical approaches, are studied through a series of cross-cutting concepts drawing on the multi-disciplinary foundations; this is developed into an exploration of theories of planning and the nature of planning as a process and as a profession.

• Plan Making and Policy

  The module is designed to introduce you to the core aspects of planning activity and assist in the development of a critical and practical understanding of the contextual and conceptual framework within which spatial planning operates in urban and rural contexts. The purpose and nature of spatial planning is debated, including its origins in the European Community, contemporary changes, and its application across and within the UK and abroad.

• Planning Implementation

  You'll explore ways in which strategic plans and development frameworks can be transformed into a sustainable reality. Developing an understanding of the legal, regulatory and policy framework governing land and property development in the UK, development management and appeals, environmental assessment, financial appraisal, regeneration practices, partnerships, community empowerment, equality and diversity objectives.

• Planning and Society

  You'll focus on the social and political context for planning in the UK, including planning as a construct of the prevailing social, economic and governmental extant policies that define planning; you'll unpick the relationship between planning and society. Social and political contexts are discussed in detail and their impact upon the nature of planning as a process and as a profession is explored.

• Site Studies and Urban Design

  Gain an understanding of the inseparable nature of the place and its context, a 'sense of place', and how this affects the design of new buildings and place-making that contribute to the built environment. You’ll study the primary elements that form the physical environment in its historic, present and future context, together with the relative legal and planning constraints that affect the built environment. You’ll survey, study, investigate and evaluate a real urban site, and develop the ability to analyse and evaluate elements of townscape, in particular the design elements that contribute to urban form and place shaping. You’ll examine planning policy and guidance, and design procedures and processes. You’ll develop a design brief for a selected site, proposing a new scheme and placing it within the context of the existing townscape. Finally, you’ll improve your drawing and sketching skills to enhance your understanding of the place, spaces between buildings, and the urban environment.

• Sustainability and Environmental Management

  Here, you will look at wider developments in environmental protection and how these affect construction, as well as how construction affects them. You will also examine the demands that greater environmental awareness places on the built environment.

• Research Design and Methods

  Gain an in-depth understanding of the theories and methods of research and research design and develop a theoretical and practical foundation in research for your major project/dissertation. You will get an understanding of a range of approaches to research, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, together with an understanding of a number of specific research methods. You will develop your knowledge of research design in order to critically consider the design for your research project, including preparing your proposal and considering ethics and ethical issues. You will develop a theoretical and practical foundation from which to develop your Masters Level Major Project/Dissertation.

• Housing and Planning

  You'll consider the development of housing and the relationship between this and planning, developing the ability to critically analyse planning policy and practice, together with the consideration of new policies for housing. You'll develop a good knowledge and understanding of the constraints, goals, methods and procedures of planning and housing professionals.

• Major Project or Dissertation for MSc Town Planning

  The Major Project or Dissertation module represents the culmination of learning on the MSc Urban Design MSc Town Planning course, and provides an opportunity for you to develop and resolve an area of critical enquiry. This module will support you in the preparation and submission of a Master's stage Artefact or Dissertation, in an area that is of interest, and relevant to the course. This is a self-directed research project negotiated with course staff, where you’ll have the choice of negotiating, managing, coordinating and bringing to successful conclusion a critically engaged and complex, major project artefact or dissertation within the related fields of urban design or town planning theory and practice. You’ll begin the module by formally presenting your artefact research proposal / project brief to staff and peers, building on the research design and methods module having identified a complex area for investigation and enquiry, along with research methods appropriate to the study or project. Following negotiation with staff, peers, and where appropriate outside agencies, any refinement needed to your research proposal is presented. You’ll demonstrate the ability to apply theory, integrate solutions, think strategically and be sensitive to changing environmental, cultural and social climates. Each project brief is unique and can originate from a variety of sources; you’ll need to consider urban design and planning issues, and the relationship of your proposal to urban design / town planning theory and wider sustainability debates. Socioeconomic and environmental responsibility are key in relation to urban design and planning, you’ll need to synthesise the aesthetic and technical aspects of urban design or planning - demonstrating the development of these through your research informed study or proposal. To complete this module successfully you must demonstrate confident familiarity with literature in the field, detailed knowledge of methods, analyses and/or appropriate application of design / planning processes and the mechanisms involved in realising / enabling built form. It will involve group and individual tutorial dialogue considering relevant approaches, methodologies and potential project solutions.