GY446      Half Unit
Planning for Sustainable Cities

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Nancy Holman CKK 3.14 and Dr Erica Pani CKK 4.02

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Policy and Regulation) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

A critical examination of the issues involved in planning for sustainable development at the urban level together with a review of policies and practice; the course focus largely on the problems facing developed countries. The course comprises ten lectures covering issues of physical, economic and social measures to promote sustainability alongside understandings of how this may be measured in an urban context.

Teaching

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures across Autumn Term.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term. 

Formative coursework

Students are expected to submit a formative assignment in the AT.

Indicative reading

Detailed reading on specific policy areas will be provided.: J Agyeman & B Evans (Eds), Local Environmental Policies and Strategies, 1994; S. Wheeler. Planning for Sustainability: Creating livable, equitable, and ecological communities, 2004; Y, Rydin, Governing for Sustainable Urban Development, 2010; S. Davoudi, J. Crawford and A. Mehmood (Eds), Planning for Climate Change: Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation for Spatial Planners, 2009.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the January exam period.

Student performance results

(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 36.7
Merit 43.8
Pass 18
Fail 1.6

Key facts

Department: Geography and Environment

Total students 2023/24: 48

Average class size 2023/24: 16

Controlled access 2023/24: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills