
- UCAS course code
- K401
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Environmental Impact Assessment
Unit code | PLAN40321 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Planning and Environmental Management |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) refers to the process of evaluating the likely significant environmental consequences of a proposed major development that may affect the natural and man made environment,before the development is given permission to proceed. EIA can contribute to the design of projects,as well as to the decision-making process on whether the project should proceed or not. It is a process that is undertaken worldwide by a wide range of jurisdictions and international organisations. A key feature of EIA is its pro-active nature and, through the consideration and mitigation of potential environmental impacts throughout project development and execution, it can make an important contribution to sustainable development.
Aims
Explain and assess the process, and underlying principles and concepts, of environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Explore the methods and techniques used in the stages of the EIA process.
Evaluate the operation of EIA in the UK and other countries.
Learning outcomes
Discuss the stages and operation of EIA process
Discuss current trends in EIA
Conduct screening, scoping, report review stages of EIA
Analyse and synthesise previous research
Work effectively in groups.
Write reports
Make in-class presentations
Syllabus
The EIA process
History of EIA
Screening
Scoping
Alternatives in EIA
Impact prediction
Mitigation measures
Preparing EIA reports
Quality and Review of EIA reports
Consultation and participation
EIA and decision-making
Monitoring and auditing
The future for EIA
Practitioner's Views of EIA
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures and workshops: each element of the course unit will be covered within the lectures and several will also involve a workshop to allow discussion and application of knowledge and skills in small groups followed by plenary discussion
Knowledge and understanding
Discuss the stages and operation of EIA process
Discuss current trends in EIA
Intellectual skills
Evaluate the wider role of EIA in the context of sustainable planning
Discuss impact assessment concepts
Evaluate information to make decisions
Practical skills
Conduct screening, seeping, report review stages of EIA
Write reports
Analyse and synthesise previous research
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Work effectively in groups.
Write reports
Make in-class presentations
Employability skills
- Oral communication
- Research
- Written communication
Assessment methods
Critical Essay
Length: 3000 words
Weighting: 100%
How and when feedback is provided: written feedback
Feedback methods
We will provide feedback throughout the module that is both formative (providing advice to guide you for your future work) and summative (where this will contribute to your overall mark).
Formative feedback will be given verbally through Q&A and discussion within lecture sessions and in workshops,together with written comments as appropriate, and through the Blackboard Discussion Board. Written formative feedback will be provided on a voluntary essay. Written summative feedback will be given on the essay.
The summative feedback for the essay will be given within 15 working days.
Recommended reading
Barker, A. and Wood, C. (1999) An evaluation of EIA system performance in eight EU countries,
Environmental impact Assessment Review 19, 387-404
Bond,A. (2000) Environmental Impact Assessment in the UK, Chandos,Oxford
Canter,L. (1996) Environmental impact Assessment, McGraw Hill,New York,2"d edition
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (2000) Environmental Impact
Assessment: a Guide to Procedures,Thomas Telford,Tonbridge
Department for Transport, Highways Agency (2012 updated) Environmental Assessment, Design
Manualfor Roads and Bridges,Volume 11,The Stationery Office,London.
Glasson,J. (1999) EIA: A SWOT Analysis, Planning Practice and Research 14, 363-375
Glasson, J., Therivel, R. and Chadwick, A. (2012) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment,
Routledge,Abingdon, 4th edition
Holder,J. and McGillivray,D.(eds.) (2007) Taking Stock of Environmental Assessment- law, policy and practice, Routledge Cavendish,Abingdon.
Jha-Thakur, U. and Fischer, T.B. (2016) 25 years of the UK EIA System: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Environmental impact Assessment Review 61: 19-26.
Jones, C., Wood, C. and Dipper, B. (1998) Environmental Assessment in the UK Planning Process: A Review of Practice,Town Planning Review 69,315-339.
Institute for Environmental Management & Assessment (2004) Guidelines for Environmental Impact
Assessment, lEMA, Lincoln.
Lawrence, D.P. (2003) Environmental Impact Assessment: practical solutions to recurrent problems
Wiley-lnterscience, New York.
Lee, N. and George, C. (eds.) (2000) Environmental Assessment in Developing and Transitional
Countries, Wiley,Chichester.
Morgan, R.K. (2012) Environmental impact assessment: the state of the art,Impact Assessment and
Project Appraisal30(1): 5-14.
Morris, P. and Therivel, R. (eds.) (2009) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment, UCL Press, London,3"' edition.
Morrison-Saunders, A. and Arts,J. (eds.) (2004) Assessing Impact- Handbook of EIA and SEA Follow
up, Earthscan, London.
Noble, B. (2006) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: a guide to principles and practice,
OUP,Oxford.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 22 |
Practical classes & workshops | 6 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 122 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Carys Jones | Unit coordinator |
Andrew Snow | Unit coordinator |