Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions (PGDip PGCert)

Course Structure

1. [\'Development and Urbanisation examines the theories, processes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in the developing world within the context of economic development and social change. You will explore the changing paradigms of development - modernisation, growth with equity, market enablement. The emerging spatial distribution of cities and the city-building process is considered, including rural-urban migration and social transformation, and contrasting processes of production and the informal sector in the urban economy. The module reviews concepts such as dependency, basic needs and equity, institutional access and resource distribution, labelling and target groups, urban vulnerability, and gender issues in development. You will also look at the role of the state in development and governance and the role of civil society in new forms of urban management and decentralisation. You will undertake a project involving the preparation of an urbanisation profile for selected countries to explore the practical outcomes of these processes.\', "Urban Land Policy and Urban Management examines the processes of urban land development under conditions of rapid urban growth. The concept and development of land policy are examined. You will address major issues including the development of urban land markets and \'sub-market\'/informal processes particularly in relation to low-income housing group needs, land availability and land supply, tenure options, land management, planning and co-ordination, investment recovery, and private sector development. These factors will be considered in the context of the options available to provide affordable and satisfactory housing. Urban management and planning policies, and resources to support rapid urban development, are explored alongside an exploration of new approaches to urban planning. Emphasis is placed on the institutional frameworks.", \'Globalisation: Environment and Development examines globalisation and global environmental problems and their relationship with the development process. The module reviews theories of globalisation and the structure of the global system; global population growth, global urbanisation and industrialisation trends and policies; the globalisation of trade, aid, investment and debt; the revolution in global transport and communications; the changing role of global institutions; the emerging geopolitics of the post-Cold War era; and a range of global environmental issues. The policy aspects of these various issues will also be examined.\', \'Urban Policy in Practice: Programme and Project Implementation provides a practice-based exploration of urban projects and programmes. It covers aspects such as urban policy analysis, feasibility studies, the project cycle, project and programme evaluation (particularly in relation to the housing needs of low-income groups), and implementation resources, together with an understanding of institutional capacity building, community-based organisations and the development of community-led sustainable solutions to the needs of the urban poor, and concepts of affordability and cost recovery.\', \'Research Methods develops your knowledge of research methods and methodology. It provides a forum for debate about research as well as giving students the opportunity to gain practical skills. These general research issues are complemented by a focus on policy research. Through the use of examples of ongoing research in the department, your ability to critically evaluate research and the role of researchers is developed. Within the course structure you are able to explore and gain support in research and research design within your own area of specialisation. The module forms an introduction to the dissertation.\', \'Armed Conflict and International Humanitarianism\', \'Principles of Environmental Assessment\', \'Environmental Management Systems\', \'Designing the City\', \'World of Refugees\', \'International Transport Planning\', \'Strategic Environmental Assessment\', \'GIS and Environmental Modeling\', \'Designing the Neighbourhood\', \'Global Institutions\', \'Delivering Sustainable Futures\', \'Destination and Event Development\', \'Statistical Research Using SPSS\', \'Independent Study.\', \'Development and Urbanisation\', \'Urban Land Policy and Urban Management\', \'Globalisation: Environment and Development\', \'Urban Policy in Practice: Programme and Project Implementation.\', \'Development and Urbanisation\', \'Urban Land Policy and Urban Management or Independent Study\', \'Globalisation: Environment and Development or Independent Study.\']