Course content

The course addresses sustainable place development in a municipal context, using the Norwegian Planning and Building Act as a planning tool. It is divided into three modules: the first focuses on laws, the planning hierarchy, and regulatory requirements at different planning levels; the second focuses on analytical methods and relevant tools in practice; and the third focuses on real-world planning processes and current issues and challenges in the Norwegian/Nordic context. Relevant laws and regulations, land use, and communication in democratic processes are tools for the planner. Current topics representing dilemmas and challenges in today’s system are presented with examples from real planning processes. The context of this course is the "place". It develops knowledge of sustainable development that can be transferred to an urban context and continued in Studio 1 in the second semester. Course assignments involving quantitative and qualitative methods in site analysis, document studies, and writing also serve as preparation for the final master’s thesis in Urban Planning. 

Learning outcome

Knowledge 

The candidate has knowledge of

• current topics that must be addressed at a strategic level in an urban area or place, including spatial and social challenges, urban space networks, multifunctional blue-green structures, and infrastructure for traffic and mobility.  

• National, Nordic and global strategies and regulations that influence these topics. 

• processes at urban and place levels, the municipal planning hierarchy, and associated regulatory requirements.  

• how work with shared values, nature, and landscape should be organized in accordance with legal frameworks in various contexts. 

Skills   

The candidate can apply acknowledged methods for

• place analysis and derive a concept that can form the basis for a sketch of a municipal sub-plan.  

• Production of relevant planning maps and draft regulations in accordance with the Planning and Building Act.  

• using relevant thematic data and mapping tools such as GIS and the Software Focus Arealplan to produce planning maps and sketches. 

General Competences 

  The candidate can

• carry out project work in groups and collaborate based on site-specific conditions and recognized methods for site analysis and planning.  

• communicate analysis results and planning proposals through maps, illustrations, and text.  

• analyze the professional basis, process, and results of local planning processes. 

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, group work, fieldwork, and individual assignments. In the group exercise assignment, a place analysis forms the basis for a strategy for a sustainable concept at the municipal sub-plan level. The place analysis provides experience in gathering and synthesizing knowledge of various values and needs. This gives experience in concept development in site-specific contexts. In individual assignment a, the student develops a proposal for a municipal sub-plan. In individual assignment b, the student reflects on a planning process from course examples. 

Optional field trips may be arranged as a part of teaching the course. The teacher will inform students at the beginning of the semester if there will be an opportunity for field work.

Compulsory assignments

• 80% Mandatory attendance

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS credits in planning-related subject areas.

Course materials

The syllabus literature will be available in digital form

Credit reductions