REMP31-Development Planning Projects

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Christopher Maidment
Email: c.s.maidment@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module integrates a range of knowledge and skills important for practicing planners and puts them into practice through group project study exercises, reports and presentations. 

Aims:

This module provides a practical yet reflective set of skills-based projects and exercises of varying length and foci. The module integrates a range of knowledge and skills important for professional practice, through group study and analysis, reports, presentations and role-play. Some of the project work is oriented around field visits, whilst other tasks focus on planning and development processes and sites (for example, deliberating over planning proposals, visioning, contesting proposals, policy formulation, site planning and/or project funding). The module integrates practical skills with key planning and development concepts, and creative thinking abilities. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

• understand the operation of the development management/control system, including researching and analysing the role of strategic and local planning policies;


• outline the main components of the site planning process (including the site plan for a development scheme);


• evaluate a development scheme and suggest alternatives;


• undertake a visioning exercise, adopting different stakeholder perspectives to produce a strategy;


• understand and apply the principles and practices of negotiation;


• work in a group to organise, prepare and present a report in a multi-stakeholder environment;


• assess planning practice from a comparative perspective and reflect on UK practices.

Additional outcomes:

• Students will develop their competence in research and organisation, policy instruments and design awareness.


• Students will extend their range of oral and written communication skills.


• Students will deepen their understanding of group-working dynamics, including through formal peer assessment.

Outline content:

The module will involve at least three projects of different lengths. The details of each will vary from year to year to reflect the changing nature of planning practice and/or staff availability. Each project carries its own detailed brief and assessment brief. These cover:

• Negotiated Development Project - preparation and presentation of a case for or against development either for a private client or a local authority, including the assimilation of negotiation and policy development skills (10 credits);


• Site Planning Project - a site planning and design exercise in an urban context (15 credits);


• European Field Trip – one week overseas trip with assessed learning journal (5 credits). 

The projects will involve the preparation and delivery of plans, reports, presentations, role-play exercises or a combination of these elements.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module is assessed via a series of group and individual project reports and presentations, with the following weightings:

• Negotiated Development Project (10 credits) – three assessed elements, with the following percentage weightings for the project: 
  
  
  
  
  • Negotiation Strategy Report (50%) - Submitted in Week 11 of the Autumn Term (Timetabling Week 15)
  
  
  • Case Analysis Report (50%) - Submitted in Week 9 of the Spring Term (Timetabling Week 28)
  
  
  
  


• Site Planning Project (15 credits) – three assessed elements, with the following percentage weightings for the project:
  
  
  
  • Site Context Presentation (20%) - Submitted in Week 8 of the Autumn Term (Timetabling Week 12)
  
  
  • Individual Research Report (50%) - Submitted in Week 1 of the Spring Term (Timetabling Week 20)
  
  
  • Site Proposal Presentation (30%) - Submitted in Week 5 of the Spring Term (Timetabling Week 24)
  
  
  
  


• European Field Trip (5 credits) – one assessed element, worth 100% of the project mark:


• Individual Learning Journal (100%) - Submitted in Week 7 of the Summer Term (Timetabling Week 40), subject to the confirmed dates for the field trip.

Formative assessment methods:

Negotiated Development Project 

1. Formal peer assessment of group contribution for Negotiated Development Project – updated and submitted with each element (Autumn/Spring).


2. Informal presentation of Case Analysis Report to external consultant (End of Spring Term).

• Site Planning Project 

1. Formal peer assessment of group contribution for Site Planning Project – updated and submitted with each element (Autumn/Spring). 


2. ?Site Context Presentation (20%) - Submitted in Week 8 of the Autumn Term (Timetabling Week 12)

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, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: none

2) Specialist equipment or materials: none

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: none

4) Printing and binding: none

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: £20.00

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: own subsistence during the European field visit week

Last updated: 30 March 2023