MSc Urban Studies / Course details

This module enables students to appreciate the interactive nature of infrastructure provision and spatial planning in the complex policy-making environment of England, with a specific focus on national significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) and strategic planning for infrastructure and housing. The delivery of the course unit includes a combination of lectures, practice-based project work, discussion sessions and special guest lectures from policymakers and practitioners on the development of different infrastructure sectors.

1. Conceptualise the relationship between strategic spatial planning, spatial forms and 
infrastructure provision and how it is shaped by the changing socio-economic and political contexts. 
2. Introduce the process, actors, resources and governance of strategic planning for major infrastructure and housing, and to highlight the tension between achieving economic competitiveness, sustainable development and spatial equity. 
3. Provide a critical understanding of the approaches, drivers, delivery and outcomes of planning for infrastructure projects.
4. Provide a critical understanding of the current policy frameworks and financing mechanisms for infrastructure and housing in England. 

Lectures from academics and practitioners (10 x 3 hour session) including short interactive elements involving group discussion of key concepts and Q&A with guest speakers. The initial series of lectures cover the key academic theories and policy knowledge of the strategic planning system for infrastructure and housing to provide the grounding for students to undertake their groupwork assignment. Later in the course unit there are a number of practitioner-led (guest) lectures to show how these concepts and policies are translated into action in different policy sectors.

Group project presentation 2 hours: interactive workshop with ppt presentation and live Q&A session

Group tutorial / feedback sessions to help prepare for group presentation (2x 0.5 hour session)

Essay surgeries (2 x 1 hour sessions) to help students prepare for their individual assignment.

Examine the relationship between spatial form and the provision of infrastructure in strategic spatial planning.
Critically evaluate the tensions and dilemmas faced by planners engaged in strategic planning for infrastructure and housing.
 

Analyse the relationship between actors and governance arrangements for major infrastructure projects and housing.
Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of  policy frameworks for major and local infrastructure and housing planning in England.

Communicate arguments a variety of forms to a professional standard and that are accessible to the policy community
Appraise data and information from a variety of relevant  sources including national policy.

Appreciate the importance of working constructively with others in a professional planning context 

• Group presentation 10 minutes (25%)
• An individual essay (2,000 words) (75%)

Presentation: Oral feedback in class, as well as written feedback online in line with Faculty guidance

Individual essay: Online in line with Faculty policy

Information is provided for each session on more detailed reading and key policy documents are made available with online library links on the VLE. Key readings include:

•    National Infrastructure Planning website: http://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/
•    National Infrastructure Commission website: https://nic.org.uk/
•    National Policy Statements: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/national-policy-statements/
•    National Planning Policy Framework (the latest version is 2024): 
•    Town Planning Review 2014 Special Issue on ‘Planning for Infrastructure: transitional pathways for lagging regions’, edited by M Baker, B Webb and C Wong. (7 papers in this issue)
•    Flyvbjerg, B (2005) Policy and Planning for Large Infrastructure Projects: Problems, Causes, Cures, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3781. 
•    Hall, P. (1980) Great Planning Disasters, Penguin Books, Harmonsworth.
•    Marshall, T. (2013) Planning Major Infrastructure: A Critical Analysis, Routledge, London.