City Planning & Environmental Policy  (RCS3)

The BSc in City Planning and Environmental Policy bridges topics of concern to built environment professionals and those interested in the broader natural environment.  The programme integrates disciplinary knowledge from several subject areas to deepen and broaden students’ understanding of spatial, environmental, social and economic issues.  Particular focus is given to planning and policy responses to such issues. The programme promotes a knowledge-based and evidence-based approach to creative problem-solving that supports the realisation of a more equitable and sustainable world.

The programme provides a learning environment that encourages a balance of teamwork and individual projects that develop the students’ capacity to critically reflect on how people interact with their environments and understand the improvements needed to enhance their quality of life.  Policy studios are an important element of the programme and are complemented by lectures, seminars and computer laboratories.  The programme employs case study learning, group work projects, planning and policy analysis/formulation, critical writing as well as student presentations to create an effective and constructive learning environment that maximises student engagement with the programme’s content.  

1 - Demonstrate comprehension of planning and environment policy as both individual bodies of knowledge, and as interrelated fields of research.
2 - Critically evaluate concepts, challenge assumptions and synthesise a broad array of perspectives.
3 - Appreciate the importance of socio-spatially orientated research in developing creative solutions.
4 - Work with established methods in gathering, analysing and evaluating various forms of data pertinent to planning and environmental policy research.
5 - Show competence in communicating research and articulating new concepts.
6 - Work successfully both on an individual basis and as a collaborating team member.
7 - Display capacity for the context sensitive analysis of the multidimensional issues pertaining to the geographic areas in which and on which they work.
8 - Apply the knowledge and skills learned to creatively develop context sensitive problem-solving strategies across a range of planning and environmental policy issues.
9 - Exhibit aptitude to assess challenges and formulate workable solutions across various contexts and scales, from site design to the international policy arena.
10 - Understand and critically reflect on the ethical implications of existing, proposed and potential activities across the fields of planning and environmental policy.
11 - Have a broader awareness of, and appreciation for related bodies of knowledge and fields of activity.

Students have the opportunity in their third year to spend a year studying abroad either inside or outside Europe.  Students who opt for this international experience will complete their undergraduate studies in four years (rather than three). 

See our UCD Global exchanges page for more information

The final step towards your career as a planner, urban designer or environmental policy analyst is to complete a one-year specialist Master’s in Planning at UCD: The Master of Regional & Urban Planning, the Master of Urban Design & Planning or the Master of Environmental Policy. This will ensure you gain the necessary professional accreditations, including that of the Irish Planning Institute and the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Graduates find employment in:

• Government and local authorities
• Planning and environmental consultancies
• Local and regional development organisations
• Private companies (marketing/location/real estate/infrastructure)
• Non-governmental organisations (environmental/heritage/ international development)

Also check out the UCD Career Networks career guide for the College of Engineering & Architecture for details on the career supports available to UCD students.

Stage 1

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme is a 4-year BSc programme (Level 8). Students in Stage 1 take 55 Core Modules, along with an Additional Option or Elective in the Spring Trimester.

Stage 2

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme is a 4-year BSc programme (Level 8). Students in Stage 2 take 50 Core Modules, along with 2 x 5cr Additional Option or Elective Modules, one from each trimester to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.