University of Venda

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

Physical Planning and Construction - Civil Engineering Construction

Purpose and Rationale

Qualification in Urban and Regional Planning

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to build knowledge and competence in local economic development, regional development planning, and spatial development. Successful graduates will be able to:

  • Work as professional planners: Apply the knowledge and skills required for professional planning roles.

  • Prepare and evaluate spatial visions and strategies: Apply advanced understanding and skills in developing and assessing spatial plans, as well as competence in analyzing, evaluating, and formulating policy in urban contexts.

  • Engage in community participation: Develop soft skills in partnership working through community engagement and participation.

  • Understand urban design principles and practices: Gain a critical understanding of urban design principles, sustainability issues, and the development process, including evaluating financial implications and factors influencing development decisions.

Rationale:

This qualification aims to prepare learners in urban and regional planning, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable management of the built environment. The focus is on strategic intervention in the built environment, sustainable land resource management, and infrastructure development, with a particular emphasis on rural areas.

The qualification aims to bridge the gap between research, community outreach, and practical application to improve public and private development decisions affecting urban and rural communities and the environment. It addresses the market demand for planners in the South African economy, producing high-quality graduates for the job market.

Graduates of this qualification will be eligible for membership with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) and will help meet the planning needs highlighted in various strategic initiatives at the provincial and national levels.

There is a recognized shortage of qualified planners at various levels of government, particularly in local, district, and metropolitan municipalities. These planners are essential for the effective implementation of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs), and other strategic planning documents at the local and regional levels.

By addressing these needs, the qualification aims to contribute to the sustainable development and effective planning of urban and rural areas in South Africa.

Outcomes

  1. Impart, transfer and develop problem solving skills to deal with real life planning challenges using planning principles and techniques as an entry/starting point.
  2. Introduce fundamental urban development concepts and forms of intervention for sustainable urban development using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  3. Apply rural settlement models to structuring and restricting rural settlements as an important aspect of change management within the development cycle.
  4. Introduce the use and application of computers in planning applications to structuring and restructuring rural settlements.
  5. Establish the fundamentals of planning law and its application in the planning fraternity.
  6. Use thoughts, philosophies, debates and interpretations to define, explain and justify the link of planning to practice.
  7. Apply fundamental concepts, principles and applications of research methods in the contexts of development and sustainability in planning the built and non-built environments.
  8. Develop and apply transportation planning skills and competencies to engage in informed and collaborative transportation orientated planning projects and activities. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

  • Analyzing and applying planning principles and techniques in resolving planning problems/issues.
  • Discussing the role and value of settlement forms and urban history in resolving diversity of places, spaces, and cultural challenges.
  • Analyzing settlement forms and urban historical orientation in urban planning problems/issues.
  • Applying planning principles and techniques such as SWOT Analysis, CBA, NPV, IRR, EIA, SIA for problem identification, analysis, and resolution.
  • Explaining the use and value of information in planning, policy analysis, and decision-making situations.
  • Developing working skills with probability concept basic statistical methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

  • Explaining town planning, planning, and design concepts, principles, and processes/dynamics for sustainable urban development.
  • Conducting town planning investigations and studies for spatial analyses and syntheses.
  • Explaining awareness and sensitivity for sustainable spatial planning and urban development.
  • Developing working skills and knowledge of using GIS software.
  • Developing plans and programmes for the suitability of GIS technology to support planned tasks.
  • Applying skills and competencies for employing and deploying site planning and design planning methodologies in built environment settlement structuring.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

  • Collecting, analyzing, and organizing rural settlement spatial data with reference to development priorities.
  • Applying rural settlement planning skills and methods for problem identification, analysis, and resolution.
  • Analyzing settlement forms and urban historical orientation in urban planning problems.
  • Explaining contextual application of rural settlement design principles, concepts, and their appropriate application.
  • Applying skills and competencies necessary for rural settlement structuring, restructuring, and associated sustainability dimensions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

  • Applying computer applications planning skills and methods such as CAD, SPSS, and GIS for problem identification, analysis, and resolution.
  • Using computer applications within built and non-built settlement environment design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

  • Implementing a moral and ethical framework for planning.
  • Applying knowledge of the institutional and political context of planning with regard to planning legislation and procedures.
  • Interpreting normative principles of planning law for socially and environmentally sensitive decision making.
  • Applying knowledge of policies in spatial planning.
  • Synthesizing and applying theoretical and conceptual planning knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

  • Explaining planning theories and philosophies.
  • Explaining the relationship of planning theory to the main bodies of thought in the social and physical sciences.
  • Creatively applying theoretical knowledge of the built environment to design and manage planned interventions.
  • Establishing the diversity of views and planning ideologies.
  • Identifying and addressing critical professional ethical issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

  • Discussing various basic activities of the stages of research.
  • Formulating research question/s.
  • Collecting, analyzing, and critically evaluating quantitative and qualitative data for planning information.
  • Presenting dissertation, assignments, and projects.
  • Analyzing research themes including a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations.
  • Selecting research methods, techniques, and technologies to show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

  • Conducting transportation analyses, transportation studies, and results for transportation planning.
  • Investigating, analyzing, and synthesizing transportation planning themes for transportation plans.
  • Developing a sustainable transportation orientated plan.
  • Establishing the role and scope of transportation planning in resolving human challenges and meeting human demand.
  • Conducting dialogue and engagement analyses, public participation, mediation, and conflict resolution studies in relation to transportation planning.

Integrated Assessment:

  • Formative assessment includes tests, assignments, projects, and case studies throughout the semester.
  • Summative assessment is through final examinations or supplementary examinations, with an average of a three-hour examination for each subject.

Qualification Details

Type
National First Degree(Min 480)
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
480
SAQA Source
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University of Venda
University of Venda
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Description
The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is a comprehensive university located in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Established in 1982, it is one of the newer universities in the country. UNIVEN offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, education, health sciences, agriculture, and management sciences. The university is committed to providing quality education, research, and community engagement, with a focus on addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the region. UNIVEN also promotes inclusivity and diversity, striving to create an environment that fosters personal and intellectual growth for its students.

This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.