Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Honours

Purpose: The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners such that they are capable of providing solutions to the complex and challenging problems being experienced in the ever-growing urban centres of modern day. It is purposed that this qualification facilitates the route towards professional accreditation as a Planner with South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN).

Rationale: This qualification aimed at both emerging professionals and graduates that are seeking an academic professional path. The need for the qualification of this nature within Town and Regional Planning, allows for a direct articulation pathway within the Department, forming an articulation link between the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning and the Masters of Sustainable Urban Planning and Development, already approved and implemented. In addition to this, another Master of Urban and Regional Planning (by research) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban and Regional Planning are also undergoing the process of external approval. This strategy provides for a learners' complete articulation and development, within the Department.

The qualification seeks to offer much needed knowledge and skills in urban planning and development, required in the professional domain, at this level. The qualification will centre on engaging learners on urban and regional planning core theories and principles whilst ensuring that they acquire integrated skills required from a range of disciplinary-specific and multidisciplinary perspectives. Learners will be equipped with a high level of technical and core skills required for Urban Planning, which will enable them to apply their skills in a variety of working environments. The qualification has been endorsed by the South African Council of Planners (SACPLAN). This therefore enables graduates to register as Professional Planners once they have completed the qualification and acquired relevant work experience. Graduates will also be able to register as Professional Planners and register with other Town Planning bodies and therefore provide contributions towards socio-economic development.

Learners of the qualification are expected to acquire skills ensuring that they are capable of raising their careers to seniority and technical leadership in the urban field. This is done by providing practical result-oriented added value towards the needs of the industry, and of influencing quality outcomes for government, municipality and the general population.

Career opportunities include that of Assistant Planners, Planners and Professional Planners, Land Use and Code Enforcement Planners, Transportation Planners, Environmental and Natural Resources Planners, Economic Development Planners, Urban Design Planners and Spatial Planners. Graduates may find employment across a range of departments in the public, private and corporate domain or at Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

It is intended that society at large will benefit from academically excellent professional planners who will provide the core and scarce services that will be beneficial for development. Moreover, there is a need for professionals in urban planning with a Postgraduate level of qualification that will be able to plan and design urban centres of the future, that are safe, secure, environmentally green and efficient urban areas.