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Duration
LevelModule 2 : Planning Theory and Practice (B-KUL-H09T6A)
N.
Aims
After completing the module, the student will
1. be acquainted with the main traditions, theories and approaches of spatial planning and urban policy.
2. be aware of the different dimensions of spatial planning, and how it has become a matter of integrating complex agendas through spatial strategy making and democratic consultation as well as decision-making.
3. have gained insights about three sub-components that are tightly interrelated:
1) the evolution of spatial planning theories and approaches
2) the assessment of contemporary urban planning issues 3) the European urban and regional policy framework.
Previous knowledge
This section refers to the general criteria by which the candidate's profile is defined:
The EMSDP is open to doctoral students, master students (II level Master), post-graduate and research fellows in the fields of planning, urbanism, geography, economics, sociology, anthropology and political sciences from European and extra-European universities and research institutions.
The criteria for this selection are:
- Quality and appropriateness of the applicants research proposal.
- Capacity to manage general competences at an advanced level
- Scientific way of thinking and capacity to deal with complex problems
- Capacity to contribute actively to processes of knowledge production.
- Attitude to crosscut disciplines and scientific theories
- Ability to communicate their research questions and early findings- Ethics and good predisposition to work in a multicultural and multi ethnic environment.
Course material
Articles and literature
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Multimedia
Toledo / e-platform
Internet
Is also included in other courses
Activities
8.0 ects. Module 2 : Planning Theory and Practice (B-KUL-H09T6a)
Content
The Module 2 - Planning Theory and Practice provides an overview of the evolution of spatial planning theories and approaches, together with a more focussed assessment of contemporary urban planning issues and an appraisal of the European urban and regional policy framework.
The module is structured in three parts:
1) spatial planning theory and practice;
2) Contemporary planning challenges;
3) European spatial policy framework.
In the first part, students are made acquainted with the main traditions, theories and approaches of spatial planning and urban policy. In response to the socio-economic crisis of the 1980s, planning theory has experienced a profound ideological and political crisis, coupled with a diversification of planning practices. In some cases planning has given up its regulatory and redistributing aims and has gone back to sheer land revalorisation, in other cases innovative practices have been introduced attempting more democratic and integrated governance. In reviewing the different planning theories and approaches special attention is placed on power and agency not just the whom or where but also the how power is exercised and on providing some understanding of opportunities for incorporating explicit empowering strategies.
In the second part of the module, lectures zoom into the main contemporary planning issues, i.e. some of the most challenging problems/processes that have been affecting and shaping cities and regions of Europe over the last twenty years, as well as the way policies have attempted to tackle these issues. Among these, particular attention is devoted to the re-scaling of authority and governance in planning, the role of rent mechanisms in real estate-led redevelopment strategies, social exclusion and neighbourhood regeneration programmes, environmental concerns and sustainability strategies. To illustrate in a concrete way some of these issues, a number of different urban and national planning examples are contextually presented.
In the last part of the module, the recent EU attempts to provide a European framework to spatial planning is reviewed. Although the national traditions and institutions of spatial planning are very different, the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP), the Territorial Agenda, and recent documents on territorial cohesion aim (e.g. the Green Paper), together with place-based strategic documents (Barca Reports, EU 2020 strategy, etc.) represent an explicit effort to elaborate a strategic European framework. Convergences and Divergences among planning systems in Europe and multilevel governance processes are also debated.
Description of learning activities
a) a set of structured lectures by the teaching staff of the EMSDP;b) a series of self-standing presentations by internal or external speakers on relevant case studies or topics;
Evaluation
Evaluation : Modulde 2 : Planning Theory and Practice (B-KUL-H29T6a)
Explanation
Tests for assessing students proficiency are usually in the form of essay(s) (of about 1500-2000 words) for each module, on (a) topic(s) selected by participants from a range proposed by the academic staff.
The marking is based on the ECTS system (A,B,C,D,F) or on a 20/20 scale.
A candidate qualifies for assessment and passes the evaluation provided each of the following conditions is satisfied:
- no mark below D or 10/20 is accepted for individual modules and may be condoned by compensation;- the average mark for the three modules is at least C or 12/20.
