Introduction to Planning ARCH 3310

Course description:

This course focus on improving students’ knowledge and theire skills required to understand urban planning activity and management of urban development.Its content lays the ground for the basis to planning the physical environment. Introduces the key principles of physical planning, permitted development, planning application process, development plans, localism and neighbourhood planning, planning for housing, planning obligations and community infrastructure, planning legislation and appeals.The course is concerned with the stages embodied in the planning process and with the levels of planning, which includes national, regional, local, detailed and sectorial planning. The course presents to the students the socio-economic issues that affect the planning process and the latter’s outcome.
The course is interative and requires active participants, rather than passive observers. It will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of urban planning; in addition to help improve students’ skill and techniques in applying the principles discussed in this course through a practical project where students will be trained on how to apply planning activity in a real life work situation.

Course Aims:

This course aims to:
  • Provide depth of knowledge in the physical planning science and the development in this essence- theories and practice.
  • Knowledge of the planning process, the latters’ circumstances and legislation besides planning levels and, eventually, the aspects that affects planning process and its outcomes.
  • Train the students on real planning issues and develop their capacity to join planning teams.
  • Train the students to work in a team with different relevant specialization.
  • Stressing the abilities of scientific research.
  • Develop students' ability concerned with communication with local planning relevant institutions and organizations; the knowledge of the latter’s role and responsibility.

Course outcomes:

The students upon completion of his study are able to: 
  • Have depth of knowledge in previous and contemporary urban planning principles within local, national and international levels.
  • Gain mental skills on the stages of urban planning at all levels: including, current situation survey and analysis, problem formulation, suggested planning scenarios, approaches and, eventually, follow up.
  • Gain transferable skills associated with team work.
  • Enhance students’ communication skills.
  • Accomplish a planning project that deals with a real life context of urban planning case.