PLAN40620 Planning, Design & Development

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module provides students with an understanding of the multifaceted nature of the urban development process and the role planning plays in this. In a studio-based learning environment students will study an urban area and the challenges of development, redevelopment and regeneration therein. Using a problem-based learning approach students will research the area chosen for the study from an urban design perspective and from an economic development perspective.

In the first part of the module students will be introduced to urban design theory, practical approaches for surveying and analysing the core urban design qualities of an urban district or neighbourhood, the strategic role of urban design in making better places, and the role of urban design policy and guidance in shaping ‘good’ urban design outcomes and more sustainable urban places at different spatial scales. Students will undertake a detailed urban design analysis of a case study area.

In the second part of the module students will be introduced to the wider property development process, they will develop an understanding of the drivers of urban development, the actors involved and the cyclical nature of development. Both public sector development and private sector development and their requirements will be introduced and explored. The concepts of viability, feasibility and profitability will be introduced and assessment and development appraisal skills will be developed.

In the final part of the module students will consider development proposals for their chosen site area and different forms of development i.e. commercial development and housing development that could be accommodated in the study area. Students will prepare a planning appraisal for a site within the area (involving an assessment of the development context, planning policy context, a physical site appraisal, assessment of market conditions and a stakeholder analysis) and the preparation of an indicative development proposal for the site on the basis of the evidence gathered in the first part of the module.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students will have gained the following:
• experience and understanding of the urban design analysis of a study area, and different urban design solutions;
• an appreciation of urban context and the effects of intervention into the urban fabric;
• understanding of the relationship between urban design (planning) policy and guidance, and architecture, and the relevance of urban design policy and guidance in delivering ‘good’ urban design outcomes and more sustainable urban places;
• observational, analytical and critical skills through the process of examining three-dimensional urban context;
• an understanding of the economic, social and political context of property development and property markets;
• an understanding of the development process, key stages of the process and the importance of project management;
• an appreciation of the roles of important actors and agencies in property development in the private and public sectors;
• an ability to assess the viability of individual schemes and consider how best to generate added value for both developers and the wider community.

Indicative Module Content:

Urban design understanding and analysis of:
• connections and patterns of movement;
• land uses (variety)
• patterns of urban morphology and layout, including urban block typology/design
• townscape character, place distinctiveness, legibility, and responding to urban context/setting, including consideration of the three-dimensional characteristics of built form (height, massing, continuity and enclosure, human scale), and building and façade design;
• public realm characteristics

Property Development:
• Efficiency and development viability;
adaptability;
• Housing policy and the challenges of delivering sustainable residential development
• Delivering housing, approaches to housing mix (including typology and tenure), and residential design quality;
• Commercial development, property cycles and the changing nature of commerce.
• Community engagement and adding value for the community.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

134
Lectures

24
Computer Aided Lab

6
Studio

30
Field Trip/External Visits

6
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures;
Lab/studio work;
Problem based-learning;
Student individual and group presentations;
Site visits.
 
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
Group Work Assignment: Assignment related to urban design analysis. Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment related to property development. Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final individual assignment, site analysis and proposal. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% 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

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.