This module introduces students to the theory and practice of site planning and urban design for the development process. The module explores key concepts, ideas and standards that shape approaches to site planning and design. It considers the status of design in the UK planning system and looks at mechanisms available to planners to influence design through development plans, supplementary guidance, development briefs or design codes.

The module has a strong practical element, with exercises to develop students’ graphic, site appraisal and design skills, in order to build an awareness of the 3-D environment and develop presentation skills.  Students will be asked to undertake a townscape analysis, and a housing site layout or appraisal for residential / mixed use development.

On successful completion of the Module a student should be able to:

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:

1. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the spatial morphology of urban development, and key elements of townscape analysis;
2. Engage with, and critically appraise, concepts, policies, and standards that shape approaches to site planning and design; 
3. Through practical exercises, demonstrate a critical awareness of design principles and spatial and other contextual factors that shape the site design and development process.

The module will be delivered through lectures and seminars, in-person and on campus unless mitigating circumstances arise. Seminars will enable small group discussion about key issues relevant to the module. Students are expected to engage with additional module content on Learning Central e.g. readings or other material, to prepare for lectures and seminars, and to supplement and deepen taught components.

Students will further develop a 2D and 3D understanding of the built environment, and reflective design approaches, developing skills in:

1. Responding positively and creatively to development constraints
2. Design, plan drawing and presentation techniques for site appraisal and development evaluation;

       3. Design communication and presentation skills; 

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment takes place throughout the module.  There are learning checks in every lecture and the workshops which support the assessments provide an opportunity for peer to peer and tutor feedback.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students are permitted to be reassessed in a module which they have failed, in line with University regulations. You will only be reassessed on the components of the module in which you have failed. The format of the reassessment will be the same as the original assessment and will take place in the Summer re-sit period.

Data collection and Ethical Approval

For some assessments, students may be required to collect their own data. In such assessments ethical approval from the School Research Ethics Committee must be obtained before data collection can begin. The module leader will discuss the process for obtaining ethical approval if it is needed in this module. Ethical approval is not needed for students using existing, open data sets (e.g. anonymised secondary data). This does not include social media data (e.g., Twitter or Facebook posts), where ethical approval must be obtained. The ethical approval process will take time and you are strongly recommended to adhere to the timetable outlined by the module leader to ensure you are not delayed in your assessment.

Part 1 of the module covers principles of townscape analysis and the application of design policy to inform the townscape analysis in Coursework 1. Part 2 covers the principles of housing layout design leading to the site layout in Coursework 2.