BA (Hons) Sustainable Urban Design and Planning (with Foundation Year)

This module will equip with an understanding of the factors driving urban change and growth in Britain through historic periods. It focuses on the historical processes, planning ideas, and societal pressures that shape land and building development. You'll analyse how different morphological configurations, influenced by these factors, affect the quality of urban places. The module emphasises the importance of field observations, guided reading, and research to gain in-depth knowledge of urban environments. Additionally, it explores the impact of various town planning and historic design approaches on settlement morphology and development trends. You'll develop skills in reading, interpreting, and synthesising visual and written data, including plans, representational drawings, and documentary evidence, and presenting their analyses through annotation.

You will focus on the contemporary city and the way it is experienced by different social groups. You’ll explore sources of difference and division in cities such as:

• income
• gender
• age
• ethnicity
• disability

and you’ll look at who belongs in and who is excluded from the city. You’ll also look at how different social groups experience the spaces of the cities. While examining a number of themes as ways of explaining the processes underlying such diversity and how it interacts with the built form. This will include social, political and economic forces for example

• social exclusion
• the operation of the housing market
• globalisation
• different identities and lifestyles.

You’ll build your knowledge of urban policy interventions and whether policy can promote greater equality.

How can we build sustainable environments in which we can live, work and relax? In this module, you’ll learn about sustainability and the three overlapping issues of sustainable development - environmental, social and economic. You’ll examine how infrastructure and resource-use affect the sustainability of England’s built and natural environment.

You’ll gain knowledge of the land-use planning system in England, and how it can help to deliver a more sustainable environment. You'll explore sustainable development through a broad focus, to consider bio-physical components (land, water, biodiversity, buildings), social issues (such as quality of life and equity) and economic issues (such as how to understand the value the environment brings to a sustainable economy).

The focus of the module will be on understanding the overall structure of the planning and development process, its institutional, social and economic context, the operation of the process and its principal drivers. The particular focus will be on the range of environmental, social, economic and financial values that underpin sustainable development, the range of planning outcomes that constitute sustainable development and the mechanisms currently in place to deliver them. These include the core financial values (e.g. market based) that drive the process and the social and cultural values that constrain and direct it toward sustainable outcomes. The key questions will be, what is the purpose of development, what criteria do we use to assess its performance and who benefits. Examples of outcomes include renewable energy, biodiversity, social housing, public open space and heritage/adaptive reuse.

The module will provide a link between the two other Year 1 Semester 2 Modules. On the one hand it will put the key sustainable development principles from Sustainability and Development into the context of the development and delivery process in the UK. On the other hand, that context will provide a crucial background and framework for undertaking the more detailed planning and design of a small scale development in Urban Lab 2 Sustainable Urban Form, focusing on the block, plot, buildings and open spaces.

The module aims to develop essential sustainable planning and design thinking and communication skills for small-scale development projects. Closely linked to PLAN4003, it focuses on sustainable urban form, from designing open spaces to proposing relationships between urban plots and architectural typologies within an urban block. It also enables students to appreciate the value of heritage and new developments within a sustainability framework. Through an urban design project, students will understand the interplay between planning processes, sustainable urban form, healthy lifestyles, and wellbeing. The module introduces experiential learning, utilising an international field trip to visit best practice in sustainable urban form. The field trip will inspire and allow a situational understanding of how urban design principles can generate sustainable urban forms and create the conditions for healthier lifestyles and improved well-being. Emphasising the importance of multidisciplinary work in planning and urban design, it integrates other disciplines when appropriate through partnership with other modules or guest speakers. By connecting with the PLAN4007 Processes and Delivery for Sustainable Development module, students can relate small-scale development requirements to a broader planning context, including policy analysis, identification of key participants, drivers, incentives, limits, barriers and outcomes. An evaluation of the final proposal developed in this module is also undertaken in Processes and Delivery for Sustainable Development allowing students to reflect on the quality of the outcomes that they produced against well established frameworks.

The module uses Oxford as a ‘live lab’ for experiential learning, integrating theories and methodologies into practical projects to explore neighbourhood-scale urban planning and design. It introduces research methodologies and data sources used to understand urban areas, developing skills for future urban labs. Students apply concepts and understandings of physical and social dimensions of the city introduced in the modules PLAN4004 and PLAN4005 to analyse and suggest improvements for urban space. The module also covers spatial planning’s role in creating better places and the legislative and policy frameworks, preparing students for deeper exploration in Year 2.

You’ll examine the interrelationships of UK spatial planning and its associated political and governance networks, at the local, regional, national and European levels while also exploring comparative planning and related systems. You will explore the evolution of planning systems and highlight important issues such as the:

• rise of multi-level governance,
• shifts in the spatial focus of planning including localism
• forms of governance and agency through which planning and other interventions are achieved.

Also you’ll explore the different stakeholders involved, the relations of power and inequality between them and the role of the planner in mediating between these interests. You will use the conceptual tools to understand this complex landscape and build your knowledge of your future role within it as environment professionals as well as developing your practical tools in negotiation and communication.

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.

Study current regeneration theory, policy and practice in an international context, as well as taking the opportunity to devise your own regeneration strategies for a particular site. You’ll critically explore regeneration as a concept, looking at competing definitions and strategies and placing these within contemporary academic debates about global urban policy and policy mobility. Investigate revitalising urban areas alongside other approaches to regeneration; you’ll develop the skills and opportunity to critically evaluate the impact of different regeneration strategies.

You’ll analyse and explore regeneration initiatives from around the world through an international field trip and in workshops and presentations. Also you’ll be able to apply your gained knowledge and skills to your own regeneration proposals for a particular site in London Docklands.

Examine theories that can be used to explain the way environmental decisions are made from the perspective of individuals, organisations and institutions. You’ll explore decision-making tools and approaches:

• Multi Criteria Analysis
• Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Sustainability Appraisal
• Environmental Management Systems

also including the associated regulatory and policy framework that underpins them. You will focus upon the theory and practice of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the decision-making processes associated with the planning, design, and development of major projects like:

• urban extensions
• mixed use development
• wind farms
• waste disposal facilities
• and mineral extraction projects.

You’ll study with an explicit planning and property development process focus. You will look at linking and applying economic concepts and planning instruments to development processes, particularly appraisal techniques used in land, residential and property development decision-making in Britain and in continental Europe.

You will develop an understanding of economic and other relationships between markets, the key actors in development, as well as fiscal and planning policies. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of the planning and property development process from site identification, development appraisal, engaging with and contesting the planning process, and development decision-making.

Develop your understanding and the ability to apply the fundamental concepts of contemporary urban design masterplanning within the context of the UK planning and development processes and international best practice.

You’ll examine current approaches and trends to master planning for new development areas. Also you’ll create a final master plan and a supporting Design and Access Statement using concepts that link physical design with issues of visual perception and environmental psychology, and addressing key issues such as:

• density and intensity (land use)
• transport and mobility (public transport, walkability, cycleability, accessibility, connectivity)
• waste management at local level.

Including urban design qualities (e.g.) diversity, resilience, vitality. Your resultant masterplan is then subject to a financial and planning viability appraisal using techniques you will have developed on the module Urban Development: Economic and Financial Appraisal.

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.

This is where you learn how research really works, and then put it into practice. Across two semesters, you’ll build a solid grounding in research methods, from quantitative and qualitative approaches to the ethics of working with people and data, and learn how to gather, analyse, and bring together different kinds of evidence.

You’ll then apply those skills to a project of your own. With your tutor’s support, you’ll choose a topic that interests you and write a proposal. You’ll then explore it in depth and produce a substantial research report. Clear milestones and regular feedback will keep you on track at every stage.

The module ends with a research seminar, where you’ll present your findings to peers, lecturers, and invited guests.

You’ll finish with the confidence and skills to carry out independent research, as well as knowledge that is vital for planning, policy-making, and urban design in the built and natural environment.

You will explore scenarios, from developed to developing world cities, and examine the tensions that arise, such as the clash between globalisation and local identity, property market dynamics versus local housing needs, and the complex balance between social exclusion and inclusion, mobility, and stagnation.

You'll also look into issues related to development pressures and the need for sustainable infrastructure, including transport and energy, on a regional level.We'll also look into the institutional, political, and legal frameworks that shape these cities, providing you with the necessary context.

You'll apply everything you've learned from previous Urban Labs, from critical analysis and visual communication to problem-solving. You'll also explore challenges and issues drawn from previous modules, all within the context of a global city.

You’ll study the latest and most pressing issues in planning, design, and development. It's an opportunity for you to dive deep, reflect critically, and engage in lively debates on the most significant questions in theory and practice.

• You'll attend lectures where our staff, along with guest speakers, will share their insights on contemporary and emerging topics in our field.
• Small group tutorials will provide you with a platform for in-depth discussions with your module tutors.
• We've got a series of structured debates where you'll learn to defend or challenge various stances on key issues.

You’ll expand your knowledge, building upon what you've learned in previous modules. Progressing a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of planning, design, and development. You'll critically engage with the most current issues in these fields, adapting to changes in the real-world UK and international practices and the associated policy and academic discourse.

The principal aim of the professional practice module is to integrate the course components that make up the urban planning design and development degree course, combined with an understanding of ethical and professional conduct as required for practice and as set out in relevant assessments of professional conduct necessary for membership of the RICS and RTPI. This module requires students to demonstrate this understanding, and skills in co-ordinating responses to varied and complex situations. The simulations are based on real and typical professional situations and require students to utilise information and abilities developed over the full period of the UPD programme in short pressurised time periods akin to actual professional practice. The module is designed to promote and assess the ability of students to communicate effectively, demonstrating self-confidence, time management and self-motivation. Such personal and interpersonal skills constitute important competencies required by all APC candidates seeking membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).