Sustainable Place Making and Urban Design MA

This unique and distinctive course which focuses on sustainability and urban design is underpinned by a philosophy of putting people at the heart of spatial planning. It is ideal if you aspire to studying spatial analysis and urban design within the context of developing thriving sustainable communities and vibrant public places. It will help you to become a spatial planner by strengthening:

• your visualisation of two and three dimensional forms; and
• your understanding of spatial relationships to better the social and economic wellbeing of people and the environment.

Finally, it will prepare you to work with multi-disciplinary teams of professionals, offering a wide range of opportunities in both public and private sector organisations.

The course is fully accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) under their respective partnership agreements with Kingston University.

Many of the staff in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Core modules

• Design and Sustainable Place Making

• Design and Sustainable Place Making

  The basis for the thinking behind this module is that there is no fixed definition of urban design. You will:

  • explore different spheres in which urban designers operate and their historical development;
  • develop a personal position on the future of urban design and their role as urban designers, using theory and the need to create sustainable places as a lens.

  Teaching will take the form of facilitated student-led discussion seminars, supported by presentations of alternative approaches to sustainable urban design and place making by current practitioners.

  
   
• Design Skills and Studio I

• Design Skills and Studio I

  This module introduces design skills, which are further developed through responding to a brief for a case study site. You will:

  • explore and apply a variety of methods to reveal and record the complexity of 'place'; and
  • study how existing conditions inform future sustainable design solutions.

  A large percentage of the teaching will take the form of facilitated group work and workshops, modelling the professional environment. This will be supported by site visits and presentation of case studies from core staff and guest lecturers.

  
   
• Design Skills and Studio II

• Design Skills and Studio II

  This module develops your existing design skills by working again with a brief for a case study site. You will test and evaluate the economic, environmental, social and physical aspect of urban design solutions to arrive at and develop a preferred design option.

  A large percentage of the teaching will take the form of facilitated group work and workshops, modelling the professional environment. This will be supported by site visits and presentation of case studies from core staff and guest lecturers.

  
   
• Development Strategy and Funding

• Development Strategy and Funding

  Land and property development is closely linked with all aspects of planning. Although planners are perceived as being opposed to the wishes of developers it is more usual for the planning profession to devise strategies and policies which address development pressures. This module enables planners to understand the development process in detail from the viewpoint of a developer. The way in which funding packages, development economics and the macroeconomic environment can influence development and planning, including sustainability issues, is explored by the use of case studies and practical examples.

  
   
• Regeneration

• Regeneration

  Integrating sustainable strategies in regeneration practice is an important aim, as places – far from being exclusively clusters of buildings – are complex socio-economic systems that need more integrated answers to solve the problems they are affected by. This module on Regeneration provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of social, economic and environmental issues, problems and their causes in urban, suburban and rural spatial contexts. Also there is the opportunity to critique different types of strategies and drivers, funding options and plans and the role of key players in providing solutions to the revitalization and regeneration of communities.

  
   
• Spatial Planning

• Spatial Planning

  This module provides a framework for the development and use of land by co-ordinating and integrating a wide range of issues and policies to work towards creating successful places for the well being of local communities.

  It provides the chance to:

  • develop a critical understanding of the theories and practice of spatial planning, particularly in a UK context; and
  • gain an insight into the processes involved in the preparation and production of plans at different spatial levels.
  
   
• Spatial Planning in Urban Design

• Spatial Planning in Urban Design

  Urban design has become an integral part of the spatial planning system in the UK. This module aims to develop your awareness and appreciation of place making, particularly in the European context.

  Assessment involves individual as well as team work, with reference to both theory and practice. You must:

  • produce a critical appraisal of the impact of planning theories; and
  • apply the principles of urban design to the production of a design scheme for a real life scenario.
  
   
• Sustainable Cities

• Sustainable Cities

  This module is a critical appreciation of urban society and its future – as it becomes the norm for the majority of the world's population, it is an essential requirement for the built environment professional.

  The module provides an opportunity to debate the theoretical concepts of sustainable cities, allowing critical analysis of the drivers, legislation and processes governing sustainable urban environments. The ability to consider issues from a variety of perspectives and evaluate strategies for spatial planning is engendered.

  The module intends to encourage a commitment to social, economic and environmental issues, which influence the creation, delivery and maintenance of sustainable cities.

  
   

Research modules

• Research Concepts for the Built Environment

• Research Concepts for the Built Environment

  This half module introduces students to the research process and enables them to acquire a critical knowledge of the concept and theory of various research methodologies, appropriate to the built environment. It provides them with practice of conducting research via secondary sources, within their own guided choice of subject. Delivery is by a series of seminars, workshops and tutorials and assessment is through a literature review and portfolio of critical reviews. 

  
   
• Dissertation or Masters Project Proposal

• Dissertation or Masters Project Proposal

  This module provides you with practice of devising an original primary research strategy for a specific research project, appropriate to satisfying the course objectives.

  In so doing it ensures that you explore and critically evaluate primary research methodology and proposals. You prepare a well-developed research proposal, which will be preparatory to undertaking your dissertation or masters project. You are supported by workshops, seminars and tutorials.

  
   
• Dissertation or Masters Project

• Dissertation or Masters Project

  In this double module, you produce a substantial, original body of authoritative work by engaging in both primary and secondary research at a masters level.

  It enables you to:

  • achieve a comprehensive understanding and application of the key issues of your subject; and
  • develop a commitment to research and understanding of its likely role in your future careers.

  You are supported by tutorials, and assessment is by a written dissertation.

  
   
• Conference Paper

• Conference Paper

  This half module provides students with the opportunity to devise and deliver an original piece of research in open forum and thereby helps them to extend the ethos of research culture into their subsequent professional work, and to encourage continuing professional development and life-long learning. The module requires them to develop an aspect of their dissertation or master's project (as applicable) into a short conference paper and presentation and to deliver this. Assessment is of both the written paper and the oral presentation.

  
   

The School of Surveying & Planning is hosting a series of postgraduate open days.

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