Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

The Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning in Engineering and Technology is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 3 YEARS.

Subjects: 30.

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

Urban and Regional Planning is concerned with sustaining the environment and developing economic and social wellbeing.

In a context of increased technological change, rapid urbanisation, social transformation, and a changing natural environment, planning is about efficient and effective space management and creating places with meaning and quality.

The programme covers a range of fields, including geography, economics, sociology, and mathematics.

Core planning subjects range from the design of urban spaces and principles of place-making in a culturally diverse context, to policies for the planning and management of entire spatial regions. The classes involve mostly small group teaching, and expose you to real-life issues during practical field trips.

Planners often work in local, provincial, or national government, as well as in large companies with property portfolios, like insurance firms, and in communities, NGOs, and independent consultancies.

Postgraduate study

If you achieve the minimum requirements at the end of the three-year BSc(URP) programme, you may register for the professional BSc(URP) Honours programme, which enables you to register with the South African Council of Planners (SACPLAN) after you have gained necessary practical experience.

Curriculum

First year

• Mathematical Technique for Planners
• Settlements through History
• Introduction to Environmental
• Interpretation
• Introduction to Settlement Form and
• Design
• Geography for Planners
• Identity and Society I

Second year

• Two and three Dimensional Computer Aided Design
• GIS Planning
• Housing Services
• Infrastructure and Transport
• Introduction to Land Management
• Contemporary Design and Environmental
• Issues in South Africa Histories, Theories and Futures of Planning
• Introduction to Environmental Planning
• Introduction to Civil Engineering
• Infrastructure
• Economic Concepts IA and IB

Third year

• Quantitative Methods for Planners
• Comparative African Cities
• Integrated Development Planning
• Regional Planning and Local Economic
• Development
• Development Policy and Processes in South Africa
• Applications in Graphic and Spatial
• Communication in Planning
• Urban Economics

AND, one of the following specialisations in Urban Environmental Design or Housing:

• Comparative Approaches to Urban Design
• Spatial and Design Principles
• Housing Theory, Law and Policy

AND, one of the following specialisations in Urban Politics and Governance:

• Politics, Governance and the City
• Liberty, Justice and the Politics of Difference