MPlan Planning

This course has normally included an overseas field trip in year 4, which is an optional part of the course. Please note there is a student contribution towards the cost of the trip depending on the location.

We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.  

You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies. 

Find out about our funding opportunities

This course unit introduces students to key theoretical ideas about the growth, development and change of urban areas. It is divided into two thematic parts. The first part of the course unit provides an overview of the evolution of planning and development, with a focus on the UK from the 19th century to the 1980s. The second part of the course unit introduces a range of key concepts that are necessary for understanding contemporary cities, covering issues of modernist urban planning, deindustrialisation, urban competitiveness, neoliberalism, urban regeneration, gentrification, creating spatial order in cities, and so on. Through discussing these topics, students will develop an understanding of the evolution of urban planning and development approaches and the ability to analyse how economic, social, political, and environmental pressures shape patterns of land use in urban areas.

The unit aims to:

Introduce students to theoretical ideas about the growth, development and change of urban areas.

Raise students’ awareness of the need and purpose of planning and development control in cities.

Equip students with the ability to analyse how economic, social, political, and environmental pressures shape patterns of land use in urban areas.

Enable students to develop and practice the analytical and communication skills necessary for their future studies and careers in planning and real estate.

Expected outcomes: 

This course unit provides students the foundational theoretical ideas that enable them to describe, explain, and analyse the growth and change of cities. It also equips students with the ability to interpret the contexts and effects of different planning policies. These knowledge and skills are important for students’ progression in their degree programmes and are central for a career in planning and real estate. In addition, through this course unit, students are able to develop their skills in evaluating and making use of academic and policy resources for constructing written arguments, which will aid academic outcomes and employability. 

Intended learning outcomes: 

Lectures 
Core content is delivered through a series of lectures, divided into two thematic parts (part A and part B). Learning is supported by additional e-learning materials provided on VLE, such as videos, podcasts, walking tour maps, and news articles that are relevant to the topics of the week.

Fieldtrip 
A fieldtrip is organised at the end of Part A, which will allow students to apply knowledge learned in Part A to explain observations of a city as well as connect themes of planning history in Part A to issues of contemporary cities in Part B. A virtual version of the fieldtrip will be made available on VLE to support student’s learning. Please note that the University cannot be held responsible for the fieldtrip not going ahead in the event of circumstances beyond our control.

Workshop 
A workshop is organised to support the assessment. It will include both general academic support (identify and evaluate sources, referencing, etc.) and dedicated opportunities for students to workshop their essay plans.

• Outline the history and development of urban planning in the UK
• Interpret the relationship between wider economic, social, environmental and political contexts and planning policy
• Identify and explain key concepts related to contemporary processes of urban change

• Apply theoretical ideas to explain the growth and change of cities
• Analyse the effects of planning policy

• Interpret the development and change of land use patterns
• Recognise the complex and contested nature of planning decision making

• Select, evaluate, and make use of academic and policy resources for academic writing
• Develop written arguments in relation to urban planning and development

 As you progress through the course unit you will receive verbal feedback during the weekly sessions following class-based lectures and seminars.  The VLE system will also provide feedback through the use of an FAQ section.  Substantive feedback on your assignments will be provided via online feedback sheets. We are also available to discuss specific issues in relation to the course unit at the weekly sessions or by e-mail appointment.

Indicative Reading List 

Hall, P. (2014) Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design in the since 1880 (4th edition). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

LeGates, R.T. and Stout, F. (2020) The City Reader (7th edition). London: Routledge.

Rydin, Y (2003) Urban and Environmental Planning in the UK (2nd edition). Basingstoke: MacMillan.

Sassen, S. (1991) The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. New Jersey, NY: Princeton University Press.

Smith, N. (1996) The New Urban Frontier: Gentrification and the Revanchist City. London: Routledge.