Masters In Planning & Sustainable Development
Commencing in October 2006, this is a new Masters programme covering the professional fields of town and country planning, regional and spatial planning and sustainability.
It is a two year full time course, offered primarily through the Departments of Geography, Applied Social Studies and Sociology at University College Cork.
Closing date for Applications: 16th May 2006 |
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- Aims of the M.Plan course
- Context
- Graduate Intake
- Outline of Course Content
- Teaching Staff
- Further Information
Aims of the M.Plan course:
- To prepare participants for a career in town and country planning, regional and spatial planning and related disciplines concerned with sustainable development;
- To present the basis for understanding the real life social, economic, political, legal and environmental contexts in which planning processes take place;
- To develop a specialist understanding of contemporary relationships between planning practice, participation and sustainable development. This covers areas such as: design, transportation, city planning, housing, employment and commercial investment, rural development, community issues, heritage and environmental management, settlement planning, environmental and planning law and governance;
- To foster a creative understanding of environmental dialogues and a capacity to develop collaborative and inventive solutions to urban, regional and rural development challenges
- To promote a critical appreciation of public policy formulation and a capacity to engage actively in discussion on the roles of the various participants in planning and development processes;
- To provide training in contemporary professional planning skills that can be deployed in areas such as the public service, private development, business, consultancy, community work, heritage and environmental management, international development and academic research.
Context:
This new Programme in Planning and Sustainable Development is firmly based on the wide range of experience, within both the University and the local planning and development professions, that has been built up over the years.
In this region, there is a long tradition of innovation in planning thinking which has contributed in a significant way to the development of modern planning practice in Ireland. With a strong national and international identity and a particular expertise in the fields of sub-regional planning, urban regeneration, rural development and coastal management, Cork and the surrounding counties offer a dynamic learning environment for a new generation of planning professionals.
The University itself brings to the programme a strong teaching and research portfolio in the social and applied sciences, sustainability, geography, planning and environmental law, ecology, infrastructure, heritage, government and public policy.
This integrated programme places a particular emphasis on the challenges facing Regional Cities and secondary City-Regions and on the special planning requirements of Coastal settlements and their Rural hinterlands. With real-world Stakeholder Dialogues and a strong International focus as key themes of programme, the Cork M.Plan will offer a unique perspective on planning for the 21st century.
The University has commenced accreditation procedures for this programme with the Irish Planning Institute (IPI). This would enable graduates to attain corporate membership (MIPI) and full recognition by the European Council of Town Planners. With a similar process underway with the Royal Town Planning Institute, there will be wide scope for experienced M.Plan graduates to practice internationally.
Graduate Intake
This interdisciplinary course welcomes applications from graduates from all of the following subject areas: Arts, Engineering, Commerce, Law, Social Science, Architecture and Science. Committed to quality, an intake of approximately 30 students is envisaged each year. Selection will be based on academic results, a written expression of interest and an interview.
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 16th MAY 2006
Outline of Course Content
The M.Plan programme of learning modules will cover three main themes: Planning Theory & Principles, Planning Knowledge and Planning Practice & Techniques. Also included will be research work and a dissertation. An outline of the modules is given below.
Planning Theory and Principles: Introduction to Planning Theory & Principles; Planning and Development Processes; Introduction to the Principles of Sustainable Development; The Evolution of Settlement Planning.
Planning Knowledge (Legal & Administrative): Institutional Planning Frameworks; Introduction to Planning Law; Advanced Legal Concepts and Processes of Land use Control.
Planning Knowledge (Physical & Spatial ): Regional, National and Transnational Planning; Planning for Transportation and Infrastructure; Urban Planning and Sustainable Development; Rural Planning and Sustainable Development; Place, Neighbourhood and Spatial Networks.
Planning Knowledge (Economic, Social & Environmental): Property, Sustainable Growth and Enterprise; Housing, Social Change and Community Needs; Landscape, Energy and Natural Resources; Natural, Cultural and Built Heritage.
Planning Practice and Techniques: Maps, drawing, forecasting, research methods, GIS; Development Management & Control Practice; Forward Planning Practice; First and Second year Projects / Placement.
Research Work and Dissertation : Major Planning Field Trip (Second year); Dissertation / Research (approx. 12,000 ? 15,000 words).
TEACHING STAFF
The M.Plan Programme will be delivered by team of interdisciplinary specialists from across the University. It is managed by three main departments: Geography, Sociology and Applied Social Studies which employ a core of planning professionals. These are augmented by experienced teachers from a range of disciplines from the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Government, Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, Food Business and Development and Law. Participants will also benefit from inputs by various special visiting lecturers and speakers all with extensive experience in planning, development, and sustainability.
Further Information:
See the course entry in the Postgraduate Prospectus: www.ucc.ie/en/CKE69
Applications must be made on-line through www.pac.ie quoting course code CKE69
For details of entry requirements, fees and the application procedure, please contact Margaret Coakley, Postgraduate Admissions Office, Tel: +353 21 490 2645
Email: m.coakley@ucc.ie
For Further Information about course content, please contact:
Brendan O?Sullivan, Interim Course Director
Tel: +353 21 490 4358 Email: brendan.osullivan@ucc.ie