GY454      Half Unit
Urban Policy and Planning

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Nancy Holman

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available on the MSc in Geographic Data Science. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If the course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department’s discretion and a waiting list may be created. For further details, please contact your relevant Programme Coordinator.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Urban Planning: Society, Market and Sustainability (GY448).

Course content

The course provides a synthesised approach to the analysis of urban policy-making and plan formulation. It will explore the way in which economic, political and social forces interact to effect policy approaches in different spatial settings. We will cover urban regeneration policy and community development as they relate to neighbourhood planning. The aim is also to gain an understanding of the causes of similarity and difference in policy approaches. Students will undertake a group research project based on a London neighbourhood including an assessment of local planning policy.

Teaching

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

 

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures across Lent Term.

 

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.

Indicative reading

Urban Task Force, Urban Renaissance;DETR, Our Towns and Cities: The future; R Atkinson ; G Moon, Urban Policy in Britain; P Hall ; C Ward, Sociable Cities; E Blakely ; M Snyder, Fortress America;D Judd ; S Fainstein, The Tourist City; J Mannigan, Fantasy City;T Hall ; P Hubbard, The Entrepreneurial City.

Assessment

Essay (80%, 3000 words).
Presentation (20%) in the LT.

A 3,000 word essay linked to the London neighbourhood planning project.

A group presentation and short film based on the London neighbourhood planning project.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Student performance results

(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 36.8
Merit 47.2
Pass 15.1
Fail 0.9

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Geography & Environment

Total students 2020/21: 36

Average class size 2020/21: 12

Controlled access 2020/21: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills