Students undertake a range of modules covering all areas of the social and environmental sciences. They gain practical knowledge of core planning practices; including planning law, transport and urban development, spatial planning systems in Ireland and other jurisdictions, development management, infrastructure planning, area planning, environmental assessment and urban design. The completion of a dissertation allows students to explore a specific and relevant planning issue on an in-depth basis.
The following modules are included in the course:
Year One
SSPL 9001 Rural Environment and Planning
The module provides an understanding of current and emerging theory in the rural environment. As well as gaining a practical awareness of current problems and issues, students will focus on the incorporation of environmental, cultural and economic values for rural areas. Students will undertake exercises in providing for and promoting biodiversity in spatial plans.
SSPL 9002 History & Theory of Planning
This module provides a high level understanding of the evolution of spatial planning, key concepts and current themes. The student is also trained to critically evaluate the theoretical and ethical justification for planning policies and their implementation.
SSPL9003 Planning Law & Institutions II
Planning law and governance is becoming ever more complex and fast-changing. The Planning Law & Institutions II module provides an essential grounding in the administrative structures, statutory instruments and applications necessary in the implementation and administration of planning policies and planning law.
SSPL9004 Local Area Plan
The aim of this module is to develop advanced planning skills through the formulation of plans for local areas. Students will learn how to combine design and innovation with planning objectives. The Local Area Plan is a fundamental tool for planners. It is the principal junction between policies and zoning which increasingly must take account of the neighbourhood scale and local contexts.
SSPL 9005 Socio Economic Environment
This module provides the learner with the relevant socio-economic context for understanding the dynamics of settlements and communities. The module utilises contemporary examples from Ireland and internationally to illustrate these concepts and provides a strong context for policy evaluation.
SSPL9006 Research Techniques
This module provides the skills to understand sources of information, data analysis and computation relevant to research. The student is introduced to research and report writing skills. The module also prepares the student for writing the MSc Spatial Planning dissertation.
SSPL9055 Technology & Infrastructure
This module provides an overview of the principles and techniques for building & site development and environmental infrastructure. The student also obtains an understanding of energy conservation in sustainable construction and building design.
Year Two
SSPL9008 Cultural Heritage & Urbanism
This module provides a systematic understanding of the cultural context for spatial planning and urban design. It also considers what skills might be necessary to anticipate the consequences of urban interventions. Students will learn how to evaluate a proposal in a heritage context.
SSPL9009 Environmental Assessment II
This module provides an overview of theory and current practice in the preparation and undertaking of Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.
SSPL 9010 National & Regional Planning
Economic growth increasingly concentrates in new spatial patterns caused by changes in the geographic distribution of flows of people, goods and information. This module explores how increasing integration and globalisation of economies have implications for the distribution of economic activities in space and how strategic planning policies respond to this.
SSPL 9011 Planning Practice logbooks
While undertaking the 2½ year part-time course the student must maintain a logbook detailing the areas in which work experience has been gained. The logbook should demonstrate that the student has worked for at least 40 days in each of four practice areas selected from a range of areas of professional planning. The range of elements from which a choice can be made reflects the diverse nature of the planning profession.
SSPL 9012 Urban Design
This is a practical group project which synergises many of the lessons learned from the full range of modules and learning activities on the course. The group will step through an evolved process in order to structurally address a given area and propose how it might be regenerated and redesigned towards the creation of a vibrant, resilient and healthy neighbourhood. The group will engage with stakeholders and agencies involved in the area's future.
SSPL 9013 Planning Techniques
This module covers advanced and specialised techniques for data and information management used in contemporary spatial planning. The module looks at population, labourforce and housing projection methodologies. Familiarisation will be gained with methodologies underpinning transport assessment, retail impact assessment and health impact assessment. Participatory planning and decision-making techniques will also be considered.
SSPL 9014 Transport and Urban Development
Modern transport networks form the backbone of city regions and influence real estate development through accessibility profiles. The module explores the implications of transport infrastructure for urban development and settlement patterns. Issues of governance, policy and design will be explored as well as understanding techniques for the design and appraisal of sustainable urban mobility solutions.
Year 3
SSPL 9027 Dissertation
This is a self directed learning module which is reported in a dissertation between 15,000 and 20,000 words. The dissertation must be an original piece of work by the student on a topic relevant to the theme of Spatial Planning and is a mandatory requirement for the award of the masters degree. The dissertation offers each student an opportunity to explore, on an in-depth basis, a particular and specialised problem or aspect of planning.
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