MOA252 Sustainability and land use planning

Contents and structure

The main problem for the course is why and how to plan. The course will provide insight into the state's expectations for urban development. The course will provide practical introduction to the Planning and Building Act. The course will give a critical introduction to the concept of sustainable urban development and what strategies are used today.

Based on historical examples, the students will gain insight into what constitutes a place or a city, what driving forces make the city develop, why the site has a special structure and how and why areas change function as a result of changes in needs, community development and goal-oriented planning. The course will provide depth information about a space that faces major changes. There will be lectures from various subjects that have a part responsibility for the development and conservation of the space. Students will use this knowledge as a background for a semester assignment. The semester assignment is about making a strategic planning program for a chosen subarea.

After the exam, and at the beginning of the spring semester, the students will design a plan for a given area. This plan will not be assessed, but form the basis for the subjects in the second semester.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

The candidate

• Has advanced knowledge of urban development and the driving forces behind city development.
• Has in-depth knowledge of key theories related to urbanization and urban planning.
• Has in-depth knowledge of where one stands in the development of the concept of sustainable development and the contemporary application of the term in urban planning.
• Has knowledge of the national government's overall expectations for urban development.
• Has knowledge of the main structure of the Planning and Building Act

Skills

The candidate

• Can use methods and practical techniques to understand cities as phenomena and processes.
• Can use practical methods for critical assessment of documentation related to urbanization and urban planning.

General competence

The candidate

• Has the ability to find and integrate literature relevant to site development and urban planning.
• Can use historical documentation to understand the basic structures of a city.
• Has the ability to choose plan strategy related to a given challenge

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Planning of cities and towns is interdisciplinary. It is an advantage if the students have knowledge of and interest in some of the topics that are included in the physical planning portfolio. Here are mentioned: The Planning and Building Act, landscape studies, property development, sustainable development, the value of blue-green structures, GIS analyzes, architectural and urban planning history, climate challenges, mapping and design of the public space, and more. Through teaching and in group work, the students will have the opportunity to expand and share their knowledge and gain insight into other relevant topics. One should be motivated to use appropriate knowledge in preparing bold planning proposals. The course is also suitable for those with practical experience and who want to expand their knowledge.

Teaching methods

Lectures, discussions and experiences combined with an exercise assignment. The semester assignment will be a result og group work, but it is possible to deliver an individual work.

Compulsory learning activities

Students are requried to participate actively in excursions, lectures and planning activities.

Oral presentation of the semester assignment is mandatory.

Approved mandatory work requirements are valid for 3 consecutive semesters.

Assessment

The exam consists of two parts:

• Semester assignment - 60% of final grade. Semester assignment can be implemented as group work.
• 4 hour individual written examen - 40% of final grade

Both parts must be passed to get a grade on the subject.

Grading scale A-F, where F is not approved

For continuation, new semester assignments and / or a new written exam must be submitted. Students may choose to complete one of the sub-examinations and retain the grade from the second part-examination.

Examination support material

Semester assignment: All support material is permitted.

Individual written examen: No support material.

More about examination support material