Planning, Environment and Development - MPlan

Queen's University Belfast

The MPlan in Planning, Environment and Development is a four-year programme of study with an optional one-year work placement in industry (this is only open to home students). The programme structures and supports students’ intellectual development and opens a wide range of exciting career opportunities in planning, development and urban design. The programme’s specific aims are to: * To demonstrate critical awareness of the nature, purpose, methods and practice of planning and urban design; this includes knowledge about the political and governance context of urban change management, its impact on individuals and communities, by applying techniques of policy and urban analysis to inform creative problem-solving and project–making; * To critically analyse processes of change in the built environment and evaluate the interrelationships between social, economic, environmental and physical factors shaping its development; * To implement key development and regeneration-related skills, including the ability to manage the regeneration of urban environments, to mediate between competing development interests, to produce strategies, policies and plans and to communicate processes and outcomes; * To practice and strengthen competencies in key skills such as numeracy, literacy, use of ICT, problem solving, teamwork and aspects of planning and urban design; * To critically analyse the value dimensions of planning and urban design activity and the ethical responsibilities of those involved in regeneration and mediation; * To formulate and deliver a substantial piece of specialist independent research; and * To demonstrate the range of analysis and design competencies required for professional recognition by the Royal Town Planning Institute.