REMP30-Real Estate Development and Planning Law

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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jorn Van De Wetering
Email: j.t.vandewetering@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides a course of study that focuses on the property development process. The content of the module is focused on some of the practicalities of real estate development, as well as on the broader political context in which development takes place. There is an emphasis on applying and linking concepts from economics, political economy and finance in order to help students to develop their understanding of property development as a multidisciplinary and social process. In addition, students will develop a practical and applied understanding of affordable housing viability appraisal as well as UK planning law.

Aims:

The module has four overarching aims: 

1. 
   

   To develop students’ understanding of some of the practicalities of the development process i.e. the activities, agencies, events, relationships, skills and tasks involved. 

   
   

2. 
   

   To develop students’ capacity to critically analyse real estate development as a social and political process. 

   
   

3. 
   

   To develop students’ understanding of the basics of affordable housing viability appraisal. 

   
   

4. 
   

   To develop students’ understanding of the fundamentals of UK planning law.

   
   

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:  

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  employ conceptual models to analyse the development process; 

  
  


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  discuss the variety of different types of developers and their objectives; 

  
  


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  critique the various private and public sources of demand for and supply of new development; 

  
  


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  demonstrate understanding of how the development land market works; 

  
  

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  apply appropriate techniques in affordable housing viability appraisal; 

  
  


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  demonstrate applied understanding of the fundamentals of UK planning law. 

  
  

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

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  Models of the development process. 

  
  


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  Types of developer and development. 

  
  


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  Residential developers and development. 

  
  

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  Commercial real estate cycles. 

  
  


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  Current trends in UK residential development. 

  
  


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  Affordable housing viability appraisal. 

  
  


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  Fundamentals of UK planning law, including planning policy, planning applications, planning conditions, use classes, permitted development, conservation, planning appeals, developer contributions and enforcement. 

  
  

Global context:

This module is primarily focused on the UK context, but does draw on case study material from various other countries. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will comprise lectures, class tutorials and problem-solving workshops. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There will be a two hour written examination at the end of the module in the summer term. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module will include a coursework assignment comprising a development appraisal and accompanying affordable housing viability report. The word limit will be 2,000 words, excluding the appraisal cash flow.  

The indicative submission deadline shown here is provisional only:?week 2 of the Summer term (i.e. week 35 of the academic year)

Formative assessment methods:

The module includes appraisal teaching which will have in-class problem solving workshops. There will also be weekly non-assessed questions on planning law. 

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 be by the same method as for the module's original assessment requirements (40% written assignment and 60% written examination), subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023