GY454 Half Unit
Urban Policy and Planning
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Nancy Holman
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies. This course is available on the MSc in Geographic Data Science and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). 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 (pre-requisite GY448). 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
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.
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed GY448 before taking this course.
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
18 hours of lectures and 12 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter 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 will be expected to produce 1 presentation in the WT.
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
Presentation (25%)
This component of assessment includes an element of group work.
Multiple choice quiz (25%)
Essay (50%, 3000 words)
A 3,000 word essay linked to a planning brief. A group presentation linked to a planning brief. Multiple choice in class exam.
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 39
Average class size 2024/25: 13
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