Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning is to consolidate knowledge and skills of the Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning graduates as first-level entrant practitioners in the planning profession, to enable them to deal with more broadly defined planning and development problems in more potentially conflictual situations and more specific to interactions between society and space at intermediate spatial scales where solutions partially fall outside standard codes and practices to improve quality of human settlements, communities and economies of urban and regional environments.

Rationale

The Department of Higher Education and Training has identified the knowledge and skills of urban and regional planners as a 'scarce skill' in South Africa (SA) and therefore this qualification aims to address this critical shortage. Furthermore, it will also contribute to the economic growth and development of SA as defined in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.

The Advanced Diploma (Urban and Regional Planning) substantively replaces the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Degree in Town and Regional planning. The Advanced Diploma offers advanced training in aspects of planning practice that seek to upgrade competencies of assistant planners that hold a Diploma qualification to become registrable as planners by the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). The Advanced Diploma aims to focus on the consolidation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes of Diploma graduates as first-level entrant practitioners in the planning profession (technicians/assistant planner registration candidates) to enable them to deal with more broadly-defined planning and development problems in more potentially conflictual situations.

The graduate should be able to solve broadly-defined planning and development problems with some uncertainty and conflicting constraints by interacting between society and space at intermediate spatial scales where solutions partially fall outside standard codes and practices in response to the emerging more democratic developmental paradigm. These aspects include both competencies for plan making as well as critiquing planning proposal and approaches to stakeholder engagement to improve middle management and leadership competencies in the planning and development function in the public, private and community development sectors.

The focus of the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning is to provide students with advanced knowledge, skills and relevant attributes towards becoming assistant planners who are employed in industry in the following critical areas:

• Preparation and assessment of planning products for local (neighbourhood) and suburban spatial scales.
• Planning administration and middle-level leadership and coordination of development planning project teams.
• Support for planning research and report writing input into making decisions for planning proposals, revision of local policy formulation and development guidelines for specific localised issues.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, the prescribed minimum entry requirements aligned with national policies apply as follows:

• National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning at Level 6 consisting of a minimum of 360 Credits with an average mark of 60% obtained on completion of the third year subjects of this qualification.

Or

• Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning at Level 6 consisting of a minimum of 360 Credits with an average mark of 60% obtained on completion of the third year subjects of this qualification.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits

• City and Regional Planning Theory 4, 12 Credits.
• Development Theory 4, 12 Credits.
• Theories of Planning 4, 12 Credits.
• Planning Research 4, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Planning 4, 12 Credits.
• Planning and Society 4, 12 Credits.
• Economic Development 4, 12 Credits.
• City and Regional Development Management 4, 12 Credits.
• Planning Projects 4 (Studio), 24 Credits.

1. Understand the field of Urban and Regional Planning, particularly as practiced in the Global South including South Africa.
2. Integrate different methods (including geo-spatial technologies) to identify, analyse, evaluate and critically reflect on complex problems.
3. Develop and communicate well-framed arguments and interact with other professionals, communities and stakeholders in planning processes.
4. Learn in a self-directed manner, and be accountable for own work.
5. Apply technology in the analysis of social-economic and environmental conditions and experiences of communities in their spatial contexts to provide insights into their problems and approaches to their collaborative resolution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the history, evolution and current practice of urban and regional planning in the Global South and South Africa, including applicable legislation and factors influencing the development of urban areas and regions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 2

• Distinguish various urban and regional planning tools and research methods; and understand when, when and how those tools and methods could be used to identify, analyse and reflect on complex problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 3

• Listen and communicate in written, graphic and mapping forms, and be persuasive in the interactions with other professionals, communities, clients and/or other stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 4

• Learn in a self-directed manner, and take responsibility for own work and decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 5

• Use technology (including Geographic Information System and Computer Aided Design) to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on, and collaboratively resolve socio-economic, spatial and environmental problems.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.

Formative Assessment

In this qualification, Formative Assessment will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, quizzes, field trip reports and poster design.

Summative Assessment

In this qualification Summative Assessment will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

Integrated Assessment in this qualification will take place at the third year of study and students will be assessed holistically by means of project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the Urban and Regional Planning industry.