Mobile Strategies Methodology course (5 ECTS) AR 9330 Prof. Vincent Nadin

IntroductionIn the Methodology Course: Strategic Spatial Planning, students are introduced to strategic spatial planning with an emphasis on innovation and approaches that can be applied in the network city region. We compare various traditions or types of spatial planning in Europe, examine recent trends and evaluate to what extent there may be a general ´European model of strategic spatial planning´. We are particularly keen to examine innovative solutions which seek to reshape spatial planning practice in the context of market-lead urban development. Students will explore case studies of spatial planning in Europe including examples relating to the Randstad region in the Netherlands. They will also be asked to bring forward case studies from other parts of the world. The case studies are used to explore the varying ways the government seek to resolve competing goals of economic competitiveness, social cohesion and environmental sustainability in an intensely political context. We seek to develop a set of ´universal principles´that might be applied to strategic planning approaches and methods in specific situations. Students are expected to develop a critical standpoint on the theory and practice of spatial planning and recent trends, and to use this knowledge in the studio work. Teaching AimsAt the completion of this course students should have an understanding of the characteristics of the varying styles of strategic spatial planning and their strengths and weaknesses in the context of the changing demands on planning.Students will have a knowledge of the stages of the planning and decision making process, how these work in practice , and the varying forms of strategy. The course will explain how planning in practice sits between a ´scientific rational understandingof spatial development and the political aspirations of many stakeholders´.

We investigate the nature of strategic planning through comparison of examples of spatial planning in various countries. Students will build their understanding of the nature of strategic planning through the course, so our ´defiinition´ of strategic planning and summary of methods comes at the end. The first part of the course requires students establish a set of criteria by which examples of spatial planning practice from various places can be compared and evaluated. We do this by briefly reviewing the ´spatial development problems´ or challenges that spatial planning seeks to adress, (there is a link here with the theory course) and by agreeing a set of principles that might underpin the operation of spatial planning.

The second part of the course critically reviews case studies of practice in strategic spatial planning in Europe. Students will also examine particular cases of their own choice making use of the general conceptual framework developed from European experience. This leads to considerations, in the third part of the course, of the extent to which it is possible and desirable to define a common set of principles that might guide strategic spatial planning action in all places, irrespective of their varying conditions.

ContentThe course is made up of a series of lectures and workshops together with exercises that require students to develop their own understanding of strategic spatial planning through guided reading and by critical investigation of examples of Strategic Planning and Decision Making recent practice in situations dealing with complex city regions. Many of the sessions will require active student participation and students should arrive prepared and willing to take part. We want to make the best use of the students particular backgrounds to introduce additional examples of spatial planning practice.

Strategic Planning and Decision Making

AssignmentsAssignmets are based on investigation of strategic planning practice in a particular location. You are free to choose the location, which must be agreed beforehand. The assingments are:

1. A team presentation on comparing the spatial planning approach and methods in two or three different regions, with an emphasis on how it deals with strategic level problems of mobility, accessibility and managing urban growth (or not);

2. A report of no more then 2000 words plus illustrations on an evaluation of strategic spatial planning in xxxx, which concentrates on evaluation of the methods used in one of the places against a set of criteria development from universal principles.Students will also be required to do reading, and to demonstrate they have done reading by undertaking exercises for submission the following week.

EvaluationStudents will be assessed according to:

demonstrationof knowledge of the principles introduced in the course and wider reading about the principles of strategic planning;

ability to undertake critical analysis of practice using theoretical and conceptual framworks;

willingness to participate and quality of participation in class sessions and teamwork;

ability to express arguments and ideas in writing adn graphic form (allowance is made for those whom English is not the native language).

AssistanceProf. Vincent Nadin will be available for assistance immediately following most of the class sessions-

V.Nadin@tudelft.nl

Contact

European Postgraduate Masters in Urbanism TU Delft, Faculty of Architecture Department of Urbanism Julianalaan 134 2628 BL, Delft The Netherlands

Coordinator Delft Ir. Meta Berghauser Pont M.Y.BerghauserPont@tudelft.nl

For further information www.studyat.tudelft.nl (postgraduate courses) www.emurbanism.eu