Course cursor - Urban space

India's Urban Awakening, a report by McKinsey that was released in 2010 stated that India will need to build over 30 cities in the next decade.By 2030, 590 million Indians will live in cities across the country, re-emphasising the need to promote planned urbanisation in the country.
With a growing population rate and a high ratio of India's population living across cities comes the need to recruit qualified urban planning professionals to meet the country's in sionals to meet the country's increasing demand for urban space.A BA (Hons) in Urban Planning offered by the Newcastle University, UK, cater to students who find interest in space and surroundings, changing landscapes in cities, planning environmentally sustainable spaces, etc.
COURSE DETAILS
The three-year, full-time programme offers insight into urban planning and key environmental issues. “The course, spread over three stages, is meant for students who wish to play a key role in shaping places and localities across the globe. Applicants require a minimum score of 6.5 or equivalent in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and a minimum of 28-34 International Baccalaureate grade points,“ says Jill Mawson, manager, School of Archi tecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University.
The course covers aspects of urban planning and develop ment, including design aware ness, environmental sustainability and housing policy. Stu dents can undertake projects that address real-life planning situations and challenges. “Since the course is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute, the course fulfils the standards set by the planning profession,“ adds Mawson.
The course aims to train students in design, human geography, sociology, law, economics and politics, planning processes, shaping towns and cities, design awareness and commu nication, economics of development, environment and sustainability, geographical information systems, sustainable development, housing policy, etc. The course ends with a dissertation on a topic on planning of students' choice to encourage research and presentation skills.
Mawson elaborates, “Students will be appraised on individual essays and projects, group work, presentations and examinations. Our teaching and assessment techniques involve the use of film, posters and presentations, making learning a creative and dynamic process. However, individual assessments are module-based. For instance, some of the modules may require to be graded based on essays and skill assessment and some others may be based on design creative projects and simple written assessments.“
Students who complete the course can pursue a number of work profiles including those of a facilities manager, historic buildings inspector, conservation officer, housing manager officer, local government officer, town planner, transport planner, etc. Additionally, the degree equips students to work in allied profiles such as civil service administrator, community development worker, energy manager, environmental manager, estate agent, government social research officer, etc.
The total course fee is set at an approximate of £16,265 per year for international students. Students who wish to apply for the course can do so through the university's website at http:www.ncl.ac.uk