PD6101 Foundations in Planning and Sustainable Development

Credit Weighting: 10

Teaching Period(s): Teaching Periods 1 and 2.

No. of Students: Min 25, Max 30.

Pre-requisite(s): None

Co-requisite(s): None

Teaching Methods: 24 x 2hr(s) Lectures; 12 x 1hr(s) Tutorials; 100 x 1hr(s) Other (Self-directed study).

Module Co-ordinator: Mr Brendan O'Sullivan, Department of Geography.

Lecturer(s): Staff, Department of Geography.

Module Objective: To develop a solid intellectual engagement with the provenance, ethics and theoretical rationale of and for planning and sustainable development.

Module Content: History and Evolution of Urban, Regional and Spatial Planning in Ireland and abroad; Theory and Intellectual foundations of Planning and Sustainable Development. The moral and ethical questions surrounding planning and development and the role of the reflective planning practitioner. The diversity of approaches to and understandings of sustainability and sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Critique the case for and against spatial planning and the various forms and theories of spatial planning
· Analyse the diversity of cultures, views and ideologies that may have a bearing on planning
· Critique the nature of values, ethics and the meaning of professionalism within contemporary planning contexts
· Evaluate the differing impacts that development decisions can have on different people
· Analyse the fundamental theoretical arguments underpinning the pursuit of sustainable development through planning
· Analyse the fundamental philosophical and technical arguments underpinning the concept of sustainable development
· Debate the relationships between environmental processes and social, economic and political events and the potential and the limitations of planning to exert an influence on them
· Synthesise the different values underlying interpretations of sustainability, and assess their implications for spatial planning
· Critically analyse the techniques, instruments, institutions and processes that support sustainable development in real world spatial contexts.

Assessment: Total Marks 200: Continuous Assessment 200 marks (3 x 2,000 word essays; 2 x practical assignments).

Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment. All elements are compulsory. In addition, participants are required to sign an attendance register at each class of the module. If a participant's attendance falls below 80% he / she will be required to repeat the module in accordance with the repeat year requirements.

Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 5% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.

Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 50%.

End of Year Written Examination Profile: No End of Year Written Examination.

Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated.