BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning

Gain understanding of the land law system which applies in England and Wales. On this module, you will look at how freehold land is acquired and how the rights of people with interests in land are protected when land changes hands on a sale. Then you’ll examine how a purchaser ensures the land it buys is suitable for its purposes from a legal perspective and free from onerous or unwanted legal obligations.

Through this module you’ll build the skills that supports the day-to-day work of non-legal professionals working in the real estate sector.

You will gain a good understanding of the basic fundamental concepts of contemporary urban design. This is based on the belief that all contemporary design must be underpinned by the concept of sustainability. You will get to understand how design delivers a sustainable place.

You’ll examine current approaches to urban design at the citywide scale. Also you’ll look at four major concepts used in the analysis and understanding of the built environment,the responsive environments approach, townscape analysis, and imagability. Through the concepts you’ll link physical design with issues of visual perception, and develop an understanding of how the physical environment affects people’s experience of place.

With each method and concept we will examine and then test it in the field as an analytical tool. On completion of the testing the concepts are used to produce a master plan and an outline design code for a case site.

This module will help you to build a critical understanding of a number of current topics in Planning and Development Practice. You will be involved in a series of professional debates and grow your knowledge of evidence that is relevant to planning and development practitioners.

You’ll examine the development of policies and plans within specific political contexts at the local level focusing on the National Planning Policy Framework, Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans. You’ll build a deep appreciation and understanding of the planning policy process and the work needed to generate successful policies.

You’ll investigate the different approaches to policy and plan making, developing your knowledge of both. Also you will look at the role of the professional planner and the relationship between planners and elected councillors in the context of decision making in planning at a local level. Through case studies you’ll explore the key issues in planning for housing and build further understanding of how planning policy is used to deliver development.

Build your understanding of the legal framework governing property development, including the law relating to site acquisition, development issues, and disposals. You will examine how

• a potential development site is purchased
• how the development process is managed
• and how the ultimate sale or lease is put in place with the necessary infrastructure.

You’ll look at the kinds of issues that arise during the development process. Through this module you’ll build the skills that supports the day-to-day work of non-legal professionals working in the development sector.

Valuation for Developers builds on the Introduction to Valuation module studied in year 1. You will learn and develop the types of valuation most commonly used in the development process including residual appraisal, leaseholder valuations, compulsory purchase and ground lease valuations. You will gain a greater understanding of how valuation supports the decision-making process for the developer, investor and planning authority. Topics to be covered:

• Investment Valuation methods
• Property measurement of land and property
• Residual appraisal and cash flows
• Sensitivity analysis
• Financial viability assessment
• Costs method
• Compulsory purchase compensation calculations
• Leasehold valuations and synergistic value
• Ground leases and hope value

On this module you’ll gain practical knowledge of the methods and skills of research that are applicable in planning, development and design. You will develop a critical awareness and core understanding of research methods in order to promote the delivery of effective research projects. This will be in an academic context and within the realm of professional practice.

You will finish the module equipped with a solid foundation of the practical knowledge and skills required to perform effectively as an independent researcher, as a professional responsible for commissioning research, and as a critical consumer of research.

On this advanced module you’ll have the opportunity to integrate the disparate knowledge and experience that you’ve already gained during your previous semesters by completing a project which focuses on planning policy and property development.

You will develop an understanding of, and ability to collaborate with, other disciplines which are relevant to your future careers. With this element of coursework you’ll collaborate with students from other subjects within the School of the Built Environment.

You will get to use of a variety of software including,

• Pro Dev
• Digimap
• Google SketchUp

as well as enhancing your experience of industry databases such as

• SPONS pricing database
• EGi
• and CoStar.

Also you’ll have the opportunity to attend careers events and CV writing and interview and assessment workshops to help build your employment skills.

Welcome to this double module that opens the door to your very own research project. You get to pick the topic, and don't worry, you won't be doing it alone. A dedicated tutor will guide you throughout the project, which spans two semesters.

Before you dive into your research, we'll give you the previous semester to choose your topic and submit a project proposal for approval.

This project is your chance to explore a specialised area of your interest in a structured and analytical way. Your ultimate goal is to:

• Create a substantial academic report at a publication level.
• Critically apply research methods.
• Build specialised knowledge in the field of planning, development, or a related discipline.

Start this project of discovery and research, and remember, your tutor is there to support you every step of the way.

Gain the practical skills in researching and identifying planning and development opportunities and proposing solutions based on a live project. You’ll further your knowledge gained in Plan and Policy Making as well as implementing knowledge of site analysis, GIS development concepts. You will get to participate in consultation workshops and present ideas and concepts to selected groups.

You’ll develop identification techniques of relevant local and national policies and of market conditions which will be necessary to inform your final proposals that will be presented orally and in a written report. This will build your experience of a task that a team of consultants might undertake on behalf of a client in order to bring about future development. Also there is an international field trip to broaden your perspectives outside the UK.

Your study will focus on understanding and appraising the key factors which determine development viability. You’ll examine the legal, financial, social and environmental constraints within which the development process takes place. To develop a sound understanding of the core activities and skills required to examine and assess these factors as inputs to the valuation of the project. You’ll learn from project case examples and make use of property sector research sources

You will create and use residual appraisal techniques, and IRR using Excel and industry standard software. Focussing on using the appraisal to identify levels of funding required and timing. Through this module you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental components of the development process including:

• project appraisal
• sensitivity analysis
• finance and procurement.

Look into the world of strategic planning and policy, and explore how these strategies link to major infrastructure planning, especially with the evolving approaches in the UK.You'll examine various contexts within Britain, and you'll even get to work on project assignments that help you understand how planning can address future challenges in different places.

This is a dynamic field, with strategic planning thriving in London, Combined Authority planning and Sub National Transport Bodies planning taking shape in the rest of England, and the National Infrastructure Commission coming into play. It's not just crucial in the UK but also in other European countries.

Get ready to explore and understand the ever-changing landscape of strategic planning and policy in the real world.

The main goal of the professional practice module is to blend different aspects of the urban planning design and development degree course. This combines with a focus on ethical and professional behaviour, which is essential for both your studies and your future membership in RICS and RTPI.

In this module, you'll need to show your grasp of these principles and your ability to handle diverse and complex situations. The aim is to nurture and evaluate your skills in reflection, effective communication, self-confidence, time management, and self-motivation.

These personal and interpersonal abilities are crucial for anyone aspiring to become a member of RICS or RTPI through the APC process.

In this module, we'll dive into the principles of project management in the context of property development. It's all about real-world application.

We'll take you through a case study, tracking a development project from the very beginning to the finish line. We'll focus on how to manage costs and minimise risks effectively. You’ll explore the importance of site appraisal when deciding whether to buy a property for development.

We'll also discuss different methods of procuring construction work. This includes a close look at risk allocation and how to maintain design flexibility. You'll even learn how to budget for development and keep an eye on project costs.

But that's not all. This module is hands-on, giving you a chance to role-play and simulate real project management scenarios. You'll develop the decision-making skills essential for effective project management. This includes assessing risks, considering dispute resolution options, and finding ways to prevent conflicts.

You'll look into the fascinating world of property investment within the broader context of the economy and financial markets. You’ll also explore fund management for investment properties, covering topics like:

• valuation
• financing
• investment theory
• portfolio strategy
• risk analysis
• performance measurement
• and sustainability.

You'll get hands-on experience in using spreadsheets to apply discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques. This will help you solve real-world property portfolio management challenges, like figuring out capital structure and measuring performance. It's a practical and engaging journey into the world of property investment and management.

In this module, we'll explore how to value both regular commercial properties and specialised properties, each serving various purposes.

When it comes to valuing typical commercial properties like industrial spaces, offices, and retail properties, we'll look at what makes them unique. We'll also delve into more advanced topics like rent reviews, lease renewals, securitization, and compensation for qualifying improvements under the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act.

We'll also cover specialised properties, which can be quite diverse, including residential homes, pubs, hotels, and leisure properties. To make sure everything is up to professional standards, we'll take a close look at the relevant RICS valuation standards.

Throughout the module, you'll learn how to apply valuation principles to the specific characteristics of these properties, helping you solve real-world valuation challenges. It's all about practical problem-solving.

Explore the world of PropTech! It's all about how technology is revolutionising real estate. We're talking big data, analytics, mobile computing, and artificial intelligence. These innovations are not just coming from established players but also from small, game-changing startups.

You’ll look into the core technologies and explore how they impact the real estate industry from a technical perspective. You'll also learn about the effects on the property profession, the built environment, and society as a whole. You’ll also engage with the ethical discussions surrounding data security, privacy, and artificial intelligence. It's all about understanding the opportunities and risks that technology brings.

By the end of this module, you'll have a solid grasp of the vast tech ecosystem that's reshaping the property profession. You'll understand how technology is changing the competitive landscape for businesses and gain the tools to analyse both the threats and opportunities it presents.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets behind the transformation of our urban and regional landscapes? Then explore the world of urban and regional redevelopment and regeneration. You’ll look into the different approaches used to bring about positive change in these areas, with a special focus on the UK. Starting by unpacking the various economic, social, and physical aspects of redevelopment and regeneration. You'll also get a glimpse into the historical journey of urban regeneration policy and discover the key modern-day policies, objectives, strategies, funding systems, and the organisations behind them.

Your studies could look at 'rebalancing' city and regional economies in the UK, especially against the backdrop of dynamic changes like Brexit. We can also explore neighbourhood renewal, community planning, and people-centric approaches to regeneration.