GY446 Half Unit
Planning for Sustainable Cities
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Nancy Holman
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Policy and Regulation) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies, MSc in City Design and Social Science and Environment students within the Geography Department then other students.. Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.rups@lse.ac.uk
Course content
A critical examination of the issues involved in planning for sustainable development at the urban level together with a review of policies and practice; the course focus largely on the problems facing developed countries. The course comprises ten lectures covering issues of physical, economic and social measures to promote sustainability alongside understandings of how this may be measured in an urban context.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
Formative assessment
Students are expected to submit a formative assignment in the AT.
Indicative reading
Detailed reading on specific policy areas will be provided.: J Agyeman & B Evans (Eds), Local Environmental Policies and Strategies, 1994; S. Wheeler. Planning for Sustainability: Creating livable, equitable, and ecological communities, 2004; Y, Rydin, Governing for Sustainable Urban Development, 2010; S. Davoudi, J. Crawford and A. Mehmood (Eds), Planning for Climate Change: Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation for Spatial Planners, 2009.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 37
Average class size 2024/25: 37
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills