Property Development and Planning

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Land Law

  Gain understanding of the land law system which applies in England and Wales. On this module, you will look at how freehold land is acquired and how the rights of people with interests in land are protected when land changes hands on a sale. Then you’ll examine how a purchaser ensures the land it buys is suitable for its purposes from a legal perspective and free from onerous or unwanted legal obligations.  

  Through this module you’ll build the skills that supports the day-to-day work of non-legal professionals working in the real estate sector.
   

• Designing the City and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

  You will gain a good understanding of the basic fundamental concepts of contemporary urban design. This is based on the belief that all contemporary design must be underpinned by the concept of sustainability. You will get to understand how design delivers a sustainable place.

  You’ll examine current approaches to urban design at the citywide scale. Also you’ll look at four major concepts used in the analysis and understanding of the built environment,the responsive environments approach, townscape analysis, and imagability. Through the concepts you’ll link physical design with issues of visual perception, and develop an understanding of how the physical environment affects people’s experience of place.

  With each method and concept we will examine and then test it in the field as an analytical tool. On completion of the testing the concepts are used to produce a master plan and an outline design code for a case site.
   

• Planning and Development Practice

  This module will help you to build a critical understanding of a number of current topics in Planning and Development Practice. You will be involved in a series of professional debates and grow your knowledge of evidence that is relevant to planning and development practitioners.

• Plan and Policy Making

  You’ll examine the development of policies and plans within specific political contexts at the local level focusing on the National Planning Policy Framework, Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans. You’ll build a deep appreciation and understanding of the planning policy process and the work needed to generate successful policies. 

  You’ll investigate the different approaches to policy and plan making, developing your knowledge of both. Also you will look at the role of the professional planner and the relationship between planners and elected councillors in the context of decision making in planning at a local level. Through case studies you’ll explore the key issues in planning for housing and build further understanding of how planning policy is used to deliver development.
   

• Property Law for Developers

  Build your understanding of the legal framework governing property development, including the law relating to site acquisition, development issues, and disposals. You will examine how

  • a potential development site is purchased
  • how the development process is managed
  • and how the ultimate sale or lease is put in place with the necessary infrastructure. 

  You’ll look at the kinds of issues that arise during the development process. Through this module you’ll build the skills that supports the day-to-day work of non-legal professionals working in the development sector.
   

• Valuation and Investment

  Building on your knowledge of freehold, leasehold and tenanted properties, and to conduct property investment analysis. You’ll examine

  • property yields and required returns
  • leasehold valuation and capital recoupment
  • the impact of incentives on value, compulsory purchase compensation
  • and the depreciated replacement cost method for valuing properties without active markets.

  You’ll also look at the discounted cash flow techniques, i.e. net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR), and their application in valuation in much more depth as well as the residual appraisal method for valuing development land. 
   

• Research Design

  On this module you’ll gain practical knowledge of the methods and skills of research that are applicable in planning, development and design. You will develop a critical awareness and core understanding of research methods in order to promote the delivery of effective research projects. This will be in an academic context and within the realm of professional practice. 

  You will finish the module equipped with a solid foundation of the practical knowledge and skills required to perform effectively as an independent researcher, as a professional responsible for commissioning research, and as a critical consumer of research.
   

• Professional Practice Skills: Development and Employability

  On this advanced module you’ll have the opportunity to integrate the disparate knowledge and experience that you’ve already gained during your previous semesters by completing a project which focuses on planning policy and property development. 

  You will develop an understanding of, and ability to collaborate with, other disciplines which are relevant to your future careers. With this element of coursework you’ll collaborate with students from other subjects within the School of the Built Environment.

  You will get to use of a variety of software including, 

  • Pro Dev
  • Digimap 
  • Google SketchUp 

  as well as enhancing your experience of industry databases such as 

  • SPONS pricing database
  • EGi
  • and CoStar.

  Also you’ll have the opportunity to attend careers events and CV writing and interview and assessment workshops to help build your employment skills.
   

Year 4 (or 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

• Research Project (double module)

  Welcome to this double module that opens the door to your very own research project. You get to pick the topic, and don't worry, you won't be doing it alone. A dedicated tutor will guide you throughout the project, which spans two semesters.

  Before you dive into your research, we'll give you the previous semester to choose your topic and submit a project proposal for approval.

  This project is your chance to explore a specialised area of your interest in a structured and analytical way. Your ultimate goal is to:

  • Create a substantial academic report at a publication level.
  • Critically apply research methods.
  • Build specialised knowledge in the field of planning, development, or a related discipline.

  Start this project of discovery and research, and remember, your tutor is there to support you every step of the way.
   

• Development Delivery: Planning and Viability

  Gain the practical skills in researching and identifying planning and development opportunities and proposing solutions based on a live project. You’ll further your knowledge gained in Plan and Policy Making as well as implementing knowledge of site analysis, GIS development concepts. You will get to participate in consultation workshops and present ideas and concepts to selected groups. 

  You’ll develop identification techniques of relevant local and national policies and of market conditions which will be necessary to inform your final proposals that will be presented orally and in a written report. This will build your experience of a task that a team of consultants might undertake on behalf of a client in order to bring about future development. Also there is an international field trip to broaden your perspectives outside the UK.
   

• Development Viability and Finance

  Your study will focus on understanding and appraising the key factors which determine development viability. You’ll examine the legal, financial, social and environmental constraints within which the development process takes place. To develop a sound understanding of the core activities and skills required to examine and assess these factors as inputs to the valuation of the project. You’ll learn from project case examples and make use of property sector research sources

  You will create and use residual appraisal techniques, and IRR using Excel and industry standard software. Focussing on using the appraisal to identify levels of funding required and timing. Through this module you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental components of the development process including:

  • project appraisal
  • sensitivity analysis
  • finance and procurement.
     

• Strategic Planning and Policy

  Look into the world of strategic planning and policy, and explore how these strategies link to major infrastructure planning, especially with the evolving approaches in the UK.You'll examine various contexts within Britain, and you'll even get to work on project assignments that help you understand how planning can address future challenges in different places.

  This is a dynamic field, with strategic planning thriving in London, Combined Authority planning and Sub National Transport Bodies planning taking shape in the rest of England, and the National Infrastructure Commission coming into play. It's not just crucial in the UK but also in other European countries.

  Get ready to explore and understand the ever-changing landscape of strategic planning and policy in the real world.
   

• Development Delivery: Professional Practice

  The main goal of the professional practice module is to blend different aspects of the urban planning design and development degree course. This combines with a focus on ethical and professional behaviour, which is essential for both your studies and your future membership in RICS and RTPI.

  In this module, you'll need to show your grasp of these principles and your ability to handle diverse and complex situations. The aim is to nurture and evaluate your skills in reflection, effective communication, self-confidence, time management, and self-motivation.

  These personal and interpersonal abilities are crucial for anyone aspiring to become a member of RICS or RTPI through the APC process.
   

Optional modules