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PLAN40160

Academic Year 2025/2026

Planning Studio: Plan Making (PLAN40160)

Subject:
Planning
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Paula Russell
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Fieldwork Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The aims of this module are to provide students with a real-world experience in exploring the social, economic and environmental facets and processes which produce spatial changes and create places (settlements, villages, towns, districts or regions) and to enable them to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in other modules with professional techniques for plan making. The students are introduced to these techniques and to methods appropriate to the chosen planning-related tasks or issues by both the academic coordinator and the relevant practitioners. It is a specific objective of this module for the students undertake site analysis and research, to engage with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to formulate inputs to the making of a spatial plan. The location and scale of the plan addressed, and the details of the project are tailored to suit the size of the student group on an annual basis. The project may involve a comparative study of different statutory plans. This module is studio-based with specialist lectures, tutored group work and field work in the selected area.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the practice studio, students should be able to:
(1) Analyse, evaluate and describe the policy context for preparing land use and/or other spatial plans;
(2) Demonstrate an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in spatial planning and the plan making process;
(3) Identify key stakeholders in the plan making process and appreciate the importance of community involvement;
(4) Demonstrate the ability to (a) contribute to spatial analyses discussion and (b) devise solutions to spatial planning issues in tutored group work;
(5) Understand the fundamental concepts and principles associated with GIS, handle the basic functionality of ArcGIS software for input, management, analysis and presentation of spatial data and apply this in the preparation of maps suitable for use in plan making
(6) demonstrate oral, written, illustrative (e.g. maps, plans, graphics, diagrams) and presentational skills.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6
Seminar (or Webinar)

4
Studio

40
Field Trip/External Visits

10
Autonomous Student Learning

140
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a lab course, in which lectures, studio work and case-based learning are followed by a more collaborative planning studio where student presentations are discussed with colleagues, instructors and with professionals and experts at least during a mid-term and final presentation of the team project.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Planning Studio: Plan Making (PEP40690)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): An individual assignment which requires students to write a report on planning issues pertinent to the town being studied. Week 3 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Report, which requires the detailed examination of the study town undertaking research (data collection and analysis). This will involve in depth gathering of data and evidence Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Group Work Assignment: Plan/Strategy - students develop components of a Local Area Plan for the study area, and will make an illustrated presentation on their project. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Individual Project: Each student must complete a series of GIS based tasks each week in GIS labs, a Storymap in week 10 & a GIS Map that forms part of the final Plan/Strategy week 12. Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

During Stages 1 - 3 individual and group feedback will be provided in class. After Stage 1 individual feedback will be provided. After Stage 2 and 3 Individual and group feedback will be provided. Students will also have the opportunity to peer review other students work at the end of each stage

Name Role
Dr Anna Molter Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Terry Prendergast Tutor
Mr Michael Wall Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Studio Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 3 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 5, 6 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Studio Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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