REMP32-Cities, Regions and Strategic Governance

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: k.pain@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module prepares students for planning and development leadership roles. During this module, students will critically analyse the ways in which the strategic planning and governance of cities and regions in England has developed. This will include studying the concepts upon which it has been based, and the ways in which strategies have been prepared and restructured in relation to a changing local and global operating environment. Students will gain understanding of the conceptual and practical challenges faced in applying the principles of strategic spatial planning in a dynamic development context.

Aims:

This module prepares students for planning and development leadership roles. During this module, students will critically analyse the ways in which the strategic planning and governance of cities and regions in England has developed. This will include studying the concepts upon which it has been based, and the ways in which strategies have been prepared and restructured in relation to a changing local and global operating environment. Students will gain understanding of the conceptual and practical challenges faced in applying the principles of strategic spatial planning in a dynamic development context.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to demonstrate:

• a systematic understanding of the challenges facing contemporary strategic, large-scale spatial planning, and the issues, constraints and problems which it faces;


• a comprehensive understanding of the analytical techniques applicable to advanced scholarship and research in the field of strategic spatial planning;


• originality in the application of knowledge relevant to strategic spatial planning, and an awareness of the challenges of creating and interpreting knowledge in this field;


• conceptual understanding allowing: comparative and critical assessment and evaluation of theoretical perspectives, debates, methodologies and conceptual frameworks relating to strategic spatial planning; and the ability to identify new research questions relevant for strategic spatial planning policy and practice.

Additional outcomes:

Typically, on completion of the module, students should be equipped to:

• approach complex issues and debates systematically and creatively, and make sound judgments in practical situations where the decision-making environment may be unpredictable and where complete data are absent;


• articulate and communicate well-supported conclusions clearly and convincingly to academic, practitioner, professional and non-specialist audiences;


• exercise self-directed initiative and personal responsibility in approaching complex tasks, problems and challenges in a professional, practical or equivalent capacity;


• be equipped to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills to a higher level, and to pursue continuing professional development through independent learning.

Outline content:

Topics to be covered in the lecture and tutorial programme include:

• City and regional development in a dynamic global context


• The economics behind localism in England


• The fluid space of UK planning


• Understanding functional economic areas


• Planning functional city regions

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of lectures, group work, and independent student research on an individual basis.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Not applicable.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One group PowerPoint presentation and one individual research paper, each of these components a maximum of 3000 words in length, will be carried out. The group presentation and the individual research paper will be based on topics provided by the module convenor. The group presentation is weighted at 25% of the marks and will be submitted in term Week 6 (timetable week 25). The individual research paper is weighted at 75% of the marks and will be submitted in term Week 11 (timetable week 30).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass-mark for this module is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will by resubmitting the individual research paper element of the coursework. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 31 July 2018