Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners who can show mastery in town and regional planning. The Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning develops generic and subject-specific skills such as observation, problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking.

Upon qualifying, learners will be responsible, competent and able to act creatively and with initiative in the development of a sustainable and productive social, natural and built environment. Learners will have knowledge and skills to analyse, conceptualise, synthesise and implement an understanding of the town and regional planning in addressing issues within the wider community. The qualification gives an understanding of broader social, economic, environmental and legal frameworks in which planners operate, leading to appropriate plans, policies and designs at all levels.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is to provide South Africa with learners that are ready to enter the world of urban, city and regional planning. There is a strong need for planners with a broad range of skills and innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches. Employers of planners emphasise the importance of general applied competencies within the planning context. Thus this qualification has specific Exit Level Outcomes which can be both directly related to the aspirations of learners seeking careers in the planning sciences and to the range of competencies required in different employment sectors. The learner may, after the successful completion of the qualification, apply to SACPLAN for registration. Learners will enjoy national and international access to further learning within this field.

Learners may opt to study further in related fields, such as project management, urban design, traffic engineering, environmental management, environmental conservation or property management. The qualification will enhance the career of the learner by providing them with economic opportunities and a choice of career paths resulting in professional status and recognition in the community.

Further, the qualification will produce learners who can contribute to the economy of South Africa as employable planners and planning assistants.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The University accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning for the Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula or informally (by experience). These types of learning are indispensable elements in deciding on admission to and awarding credits.

Formal Prior Learning

Prior accredited learning at the Further Education and Training or at Higher Education level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing modules is recognisable. The learner needs to produce evidence that shows that they have achieved at a satisfactory level, the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria specified for modules of this qualification and, if appropriate, allow the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

Non-formal and Informal Prior Experiential Learning

A learner who does not have a formal qualification or has a non-formal qualification may apply for RPL. There will be a consideration for those learners if they can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential, or work-based learning for admission or the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but needs further academic development, must be directed to other suitable qualifications before admission or to qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelors studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelors studies.

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 544 Credits

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Descriptive Statistics (STTN111), 12 Credits.
• Intro Hum Geo (GGFS121), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Physical Geography (GGFS112), 12 Credits.
• History of Civilisations (SBES111), 12 Credits.
• Basic Micro- And Macroeconomics (ECON121), 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy (AGLA121), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics (ECON111), 12 Credits.
• Basic Mathematical Techniques (WISN113), 12 Credits.
• Practical Statistics (STTN124), 12 Credits.
• Urban Morphology (SBES121), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 136 Credits

• Macroeconomics (ECON211), 16 Credits.
• Physical Geography (GGFS212), 16 Credits.
• Regional Plans (SBRS221), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Urban planning (SBRS211), 16 Credits.
• Private Law for Beginners (SSBP221), 16 Credits.
• Understanding the Natural World (WVNS211), 12 Credits.
• Understanding the Natural World (WVNS221), 12 Credits.
• Urban Planning (SBSL221), 16 Credits.
• Planning Approaches and Practice (SBSS211), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 160 Credits

• Economic Analysis (ECON321), 16 Credits.
• Development Economics (ECON322), 16 Credits.
• Engineering for Planning Ii (SBES321), 16 Credits.
• Urban Economics (SBRS311), 16 Credits.
• Urban Ecology (SECO321), 16 Credits.
• GIS and Remote Sensing (GGFS312), 32 Credits.
• Transport Planning and Systems (SBSS321), 16 Credits.
• Commercial Planning and Development (SBSS311), 16 Credits.
• Regional Development and Analysis (SBRS321), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 128 Credits

• Strategic and Project Management for Planners (SBES421), 16 Credits.
• Integrated Housing Development (SBSS412), 16 Credits.
• Regional Analysis and Application (SBRS411), 16 Credits.
• Planning Practice (SSBP421), 16 Credits.
• Land Use and Residential Development (SBSL412), 16 Credits.
• Research Project (SBSS471), 48 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a broad and systematic knowledge base of urban and regional planning and techniques, and of other subject-specific contents that have been presented in the qualification to bring about sustainable development in urban and rural environments.
2. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and argue theoretically driven solutions to complex and real-life planning problems and issues in an ethically responsible way.
3. Demonstrate skills to collect, analyse critically, to process by computer, to integrate and evaluate results of current research and scientific and professional literature in the field of urban and regional planning, as well as quantitative and qualitative data, and to communicate his/her findings to peers and professional learners in writing and orally.
4. Act as an entrepreneur by utilising knowledge and skills in planning consultation.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous formative assessment strategies in the form of assignments, portfolios, tests are integrated summative assessments in the form of formal examinations and a project report. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual, as well as group context, may also be employed. The assessment is on the application of integrated knowledge and skills to assure that they are competent for the workplace. Learners are required to integrate their learning through studio work, in all years of study. Furthermore, learners complete both coursework projects and essays and written, or oral examinations, all of which test the integration of concepts learned during study.