Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Support local governance choices
• Interact with all stakeholders
• Analyse the dynamics of the creation and transformation of areas: referring to theories, historical processes, constraints and potential, the interplay of stakeholders, and the various relevant spatial and temporal scales in order to identify the issues and set out forward-looking scenarios
• Identify the various working hypotheses in relation to an urban planning problem and linked to urban and rural policy
• Master the contemporary societal challenges of spatial planning
• Master the tools, techniques and urban and regional engineering of observation, investigation, analysis, forecasting, representation, negotiation and communication
• Recognise, through evaluation tools, the contribution that planning can make to built and natural environments and in particular to the consequences of climatic and socio-economic changes
• Integrate the principles of equality and social justice, through a participatory approach to urban planning, in order to promote the involvement of different communities and to assess the importance and effectiveness of community involvement in the planning process.
• Draw up a critical and personal analysis of theories and practices, while demonstrating ability and the development of personal skills to enter the professional world and the debate on the future of cities and regions
• Explain, through critical analysis, the political and methodological nature of sustainable urbanism and reflect on how planners work effectively within democratic decision-making structures
• Evaluate the principles and processes of participatory design to create high quality places and enhance the public realm for the benefit of all in society
• Assume the social responsibility of the planner by adapting professional practice over time and across contexts

Learning Outcomes of UE

The course aims to (1) raise awareness of contemporary research issues and themes in the field of urban planning, (2) engage students in a research process in this field, and (3) provide the methodological tools necessary for the development of personal research. By the end of the course, students will be able to formulate a personal research topic both in writing and orally, specify the relevance of this topic concerning contemporary issues, conduct a brief literature review on this topic based on bibliographic research, and choose and justify the appropriate methodological approach for the topic.

UE Content: description and pedagogical relevance

The course offers an introduction to urban planning research through theoretical presentations and various practical exercises. The course will cover contemporary research issues in urban planning, different methodological approaches, scientific writing and citation standards, documentary research and various types of available sources, the development of a bibliography and a brief literature review, and the reasoned formulation of a research problem.

Prior Experience

Not applicable