MSc Spatial Planning
Part time - DT123
Programme co-ordinator
Dave O'Connor
School of Spatial Planning
College of Engineering & Built Environment
DIT Bolton Street Dublin 1
T: 01 402 3803
F: 01 402 3999
E: Dave.oconnor@dit.ie
Yvonne Mc Glynn
T: 01 402 3612
E: yvonne.mcglynn@dit.ie
Duration
Part Time - 2 ½ Years
Closing date
30th August 2013
Start date
September 2013
Introduction
Please note due to the great demand for our programmes early applications are assessed when received and dealt with promptly. Therefore it is advisable to make early applications for an early response. If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.
This part-time programme provides an opportunity for practitioners (with five years relevant experience) who work in the area of the Built Environment in Ireland or abroad, to become professional planners by attending a part-time planning course. Through a modular delivery of lectures, tutorials and seminars over a period of 2.5 years, including the successful completion of a dissertation, students can obtain a recognised planning qualification.
The course is presented within the new School of Spatial Planning in the College of Engineering and the Built Environment in DIT Bolton Street. It is envisaged that the intake of students will be approx. 10-15 individuals of different disciplines and backgrounds, all with substantial experience in the built environment. Because students will be experienced practising professionals from different disciplines, the course provides scope for a considerable degree of inter-disciplinary learning and evaluation of experience both within the student group as well as between lecturers and students. Students are expected to actively contribute to this interactive process.
The group environment fosters a creative atmosphere of interactive problem-based learning. Students are set real-life challenges often involving actual problems facing planning agencies, who also get involved in tuition and assessment. The teaching faculty is made up of highly committed DIT personnel in addition to practising professionals who are considered some of Ireland’s leading experts in their respective disciplines.
Graduate Survey
A recent survey of all graduates found that: -
- 90% of respondents said their career progressed following the course with 79% attributing this to the course
- 92% of graduates said they would recommend the course to a friend or colleague
- 97% said the course makes a positive contribution to the professional practice of planning
Course Content
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, development management, infrastructure planning, area planning, environmental assessment and urban design. The completion of a dissertation allows students a specific and relevant planning issue on an in-depth basis.
A full list of programme modules and descriptors is available on the DIT CourseWise website: -
http://www.dit.ie/catalogue/Programmes/Details/DT123
Year One
SSPL 9001 Rural Environment and Planning
The module provides an understanding of current and emerging theory as well as a practical awareness of current problems and issues in the rural environment with a focus on the practical incorporation of environmental, cultural and economic values and the maximisation of biodiversity in spatial plans for rural areas. The module comprises two components.
SSPL 9002 History & Theory of Planning
This module comprises two main components. The first provides a high level understanding of the evolution of spatial planning, key concepts and current themes. The second component trains the student to critically evaluate the theoretical and ethical justification for planning policies and their implementation.
SSPL9003 Planning Law & Institutions II
The module provides the necessary grounding for the planning student in the administrative structures, statutory instruments and applications necessary in the implementation and administration of planning policies.
SSPL9004 Local Area Plan
The aim of this Module is to develop advanced planning skills through the formulation of plans that combine design with objectives. The Local Area Plan is a fundamental tool for Local Authority planners that is currently undergoing rapid development and innovation. It is the principal junction between policies and zoning – which are generalized representations and spatially specific mapping – which must take account of actual dimensions and local context.
SSPL 9005 Socio Economic Environment
This module provides the learner with the relevant socio-economic context for understanding the dynamics of settlements and communities.
SSPL9006 Research Techniques
This module provides the skills to understand sources of information, data analysis and computation relevant to research. It also prepares the student for writing the dissertation.
SSPL9055 Sustainable Construction
This module divides into two components. The first provides an overview of the principles and techniques for building and site development. The second component provides an understanding of energy conservation in sustainable construction and building design.
Year Two
SSPL9008 Cultural Heritage & Urbanism
The module provides a systematic understanding of the cultural context for Spatial Planning and urban design. It also provides skills necessary to anticipate the consequences of urban interventions.
SSPL9009 Environmental Assessment II
An overview of theory and current practice in the preparation of EIS and SEA as well as their assessment.
SSPL 9010 National & Regional Planning
The module explores how economic growth increasingly concentrates in new spatial patterns caused by changes in the geographic distribution of flows of people, goods and information. In addition, the 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 programme the student must maintain a logbook detailing for each week 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 purpose of this logbook requirement is to ensure that the student is working in an area relevant to spatial planning while undertaking the programme, as this is an admission requirement. By requiring a minimum of four elements of the planning practice, an appropriate breadth of experience will be achieved. The range of elements from which a choice can be made reflects the diverse nature of the planning profession.
SSPL 9012 Urban Design
The emphasis in this project is on the creative design of an urban design solution for a given urban project and a rigorous examination in the development control assessment.
SSPL 9013 Techniques IV
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
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 module will be supplemented by a number of lectures on research and report writing skills. The dissertation will 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 a masters degree.
Assessment
Project Work
Assessment is by part examination however a large portion of the programme is assessed by practical project-work, undertaken both individually and in teams. Projects undertaken include:
- Local Area Plan
- Urban Design Planning Scheme
- Strategic Environmental Assessment
- General module assessment projects
- Logbook requirement
- Research Dissertation (undertaken in third year)
Location
The course is delivered at the DIT School of Spatial Planning, part of the College of Engineering and Built Environment, DIT Bolton Street, Dublin 1. The practical nature of the programme also necessitates a number of off-site field-trips and seminars.
Timetable / Hours
The course is presented on a part-time basis through a five semester cycle and will therefore require 2.5 years to complete. During each of semesters one to four, attendance will be required for four full-time periods of one week as well as one weekend seminar. Outside of these week-long periods of course attendance, students will be able to work in their place of employment and, other than self-study, course attendance is not required.
Total course attendance will therefore amount to sixteen weeks of lectures and tutorials, three weekend seminars and two exam periods. Written examinations will be held at the end of years one and two. During the fifth semester (year 3), students work primarily on their dissertation.
Entry Requirements
In order to be admitted to the course, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have an appropriate honours (2.2 grade or higher) degree
- Have normally a minimum of five years relevant experience in a professional capacity (not necessarily in consecutive years)
- Have an ability to demonstrate a current position in employment that is relevant to spatial planning and indicate an ability to complete the logbook requirement of the programme (see below for details)
Prospective students are expected to address these matters in the written application as well as in an interview.
Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate programmes satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the programme of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific programmes.
Logbook:
During the duration of the 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 our four practice areas in spatial planning. The practice areas listed below:
Table 3 - Elements of Professional Planning Practice
|
Topic Letter |
Practice Element |
|
A |
Urban Renewal |
|
B |
Infrastructure, transport |
|
C |
Infrastructure, environmental services |
|
D |
Tourism |
|
E |
Local and Regional Development |
|
F |
Rural Planning |
|
G |
Community Participation |
|
H |
Urban Design |
|
I |
Need Forecasting |
|
J |
Strategic Planning |
|
K |
Culture and Heritage |
|
L |
Housing |
|
M |
Retail |
|
N |
Development Management |
|
O |
Area Plans |
|
P |
Local Agenda 21 |
|
Q |
Property Acquisition |
|
R |
Miscellaneous |
|
S |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
|
T |
GIS |
|
U |
Socio-Economic Analysis |
Award
The degree of MSc in Spatial Planning of the Dublin Institute of Technology will be awarded to participants who successfully pass the formal examinations and assessments of the programme and successfully pass the dissertation.
Career Opportunities
The course is accredited by the Irish Planning Institute.
Frequently Asked Questions
A programme A4 info sheet is available here DT123 MSc in Spatial Planning Information Sheet
A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available here DT123 MSc in Spatial Planning 2013 FAQs
A list of sample dissertations undertaken by past students is available here DT123 MSc in Spatial Planning 2013 Dissertation Titles
A full list of programme modules and descriptors is available on the DIT CourseWise website
EU Fees for 2012/2013*
*The fees outlined for each course are provisional and are subject to change
For information on part time postgraduate fees for 2012/13 please click here
For information on funding please see the following link: Fees and Funding
