PLAN10100 Contemporary Issues in Planning

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module introduces students to some of the key and emerging challenges confronting contemporary planning practice with a specific focus on ethics, equality and diversity. Through weekly lectures and discussions, students will be encouraged to think critically about how planning deals with the various dimensions of social difference and sources of inequality including class, gender, ethnicity, cultural identity, sexuality, age and disability. The module also explores the concept of professionalism and examines the role of the professional institutes and their respective codes of conduct to guide the highest ethical, moral and professional standards in planning practice. Contributions from experienced practitioners and other experts will be facilitated on a weekly basis to expose students to a diverse range of stakeholders who can shed light on the realities of planning for diverse populations. A strong emphasis will be placed on reading, participation and class discussion.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(1) Explain the political and ethical nature of spatial planning and reflect on how planners work effectively within democratic decision-making structures;
(2) Understand the heterogeneity of society and how planning effects diverse groups;
(3) Explain the principles of equality and equality of opportunity in relation to spatial planning in order to positively promote the involvement of different communities, and evaluate the importance and effectiveness of community engagement in the planning process;
(4) Distinguish the characteristics of a professional, including the importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviour and a commitment to lifelong learning and critical reflection so as to maintain and develop professional competence.

Indicative Module Content:

The following module content is indicative and subject to change to facilitate prompt reaction to the latest developments confronting contemporary planning practice. The topics covered are likely to include: Disability and design; Planning for an aging population; Ethnicity and cultural identities; Gender issues in planning; Engaging children and young people in the planning system; Planning for minorities: insights from the travelling community; the concept of professionalism and the role of ethical codes of conduct in planning; unethical practice and corruption in planning.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module uses a mixture of lectures, guest speakers, group presentations and in-class discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual assignment worth 70% Week 12 Graded No

70

 Yes
Group Work Assignment: Group Assignment (30%) Week 7 Graded No

30

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.