MA Urban Design Programme MA PgDip PgCert Information for applicants 2010/11

Our Approach
Urban Design involves shaping the physical setting for life in cities. Cities are essential to modern life, they are the sites where our economic and social life evolve but they are also where most resources are consumed. They evolve over time becoming a cultural asset reflecting values of the people who inhabit them, around which shared experiences revolve and daily life is shaped. This process is well understood in European context however in the global context the pace of change is both dramatic and accelerating creating new challenges for city design and management. While recognising the cultural and economic forces acting in the city, urban design focuses on understanding and designing the physical setting in which they take place. It considers how buildings, streets and urban spaces are combined to create vivid environments that can nurture daily life; provide efficient urban systems and make memorable places we value. Urban designers are involved in decision-making at all scales of the urban environment, ranging from design and quality of the public realm, housing and housing renewal, urban design frameworks or guidance at the local level and spatial master plans at the district scale. Urban design has recently emerged as a distinct professional discipline in the United Kingdom and qualified urban designers are in great demand. It overlaps with a number of existing professions and incorporates elements of town planning, architecture, landscape design, urban regeneration, transportation and infrastructure planning. Typically, urban design professionals have initial training in one of these areas and move to the more generalist field of urban design. Postgraduate courses at University of Westminster are designed to support this transition. We seek to help students to respond to the fundamental physical, cultural, social and economic changes that are taking place and to focus on how urban form can best be adapted to our current and future needs. The practice of urban design is underpinned by a growing knowledge base informed by research. Staff at the university of Westminster are active in expanding this evidence and theory through reach and consultancy. Current and recent work include topics include; city identity, public art, the nigh time economy, sustainable development, urban morphology, uses of the public realm, community management.

Courses we offer
The Urban Design Programme is among the best established in the UK and enjoys a high level of respect in the industry. Many of students are part time and established in the industry seeking to enhance skills and develop an informed approach to practice, while others are planning a career shift from an allied profession and need a bridging course. In addition, this course attracts an expanding number of international students seeking to draw in the UK experience of Urban Design. MA programme aims to provide a practical preparation for professionals entering urban design practice in a flexible format. This programme is designed to combine practical experience with advanced professional training, and a structured approach to theory and method. MA Urban design (part or full time) This course attracts highly motivated and professional people, many of whom are established in the urban design field. It is designed to complement practical experience within the profession and to provide a theoretically informed understanding of urban design. The city is used as a laboratory to explore urban context and design solutions at differing scales. The course provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with people from a variety of backgrounds, including architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture transport planning and environmental design. It seeks to extend students existing skills and knowledge into new areas. The course includes a residential study visit to a European city to city. More info link PG Diploma in Urban Design (part or full time) This course includes all the taught components of the MA but excludes the dissertation. It is attractive to students looking for a bridging course in urban design especially those who already hold a masters degree. The Postgraduate Certificate in Urban Design This course provides an opportunity to study urban design at a postgraduate level without the need to commit to the full MA/Diploma programme. It aims to provide practitioners in the urban environment with the necessary basic skills in urban design to enable the government to better deliver its vision of an "urban renaissance". The course recognises that busy professionals might not have the time or resources to commit themselves to a part-time Masters course, the mode of attendance has therefore been tailored to fit the without compromising its educational objectives. On completion of this course students can opt to join the MA.

Fees
Fees are published on the university website Refer to http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-12263 for further information.

Attendance MA / Diploma
Teaching takes place on our Marylebone Campus at Marylebone Road near Baker Street tube station. Classes are normally held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and run from 2.30 to 9.00pm. This may alter depending on your choice of options. Normally part time students attend one day a week. Normally about one third of your classes will be in the evening.

There are two 13-week semesters where attendance is expected on a weekly basis. In addition there may also be some presentations that you will be required to attend outside this teaching period. You are also expected to attend a full day induction session in September. There is a one-week field trip normally held in early or mid November. This trip is normally within the EU but not in the UK. You will require a valid passport and visa if necessary. Therefore part time students should expect to take one afternoon a week off work during the formal teaching periods [26 weeks] plus attend one full day induction and the field trip in their first year. They may also be required to attend one or two sessions in the exam period for presentations.

Attendance Pg Certificate
Teaching takes place at our Marylebone Campus at Marylebone Road near Baker Street tube station and on an intensive 10-day summer school held in the EU. Classes are held on 11 Thursdays approximately once a month from September to June. Teaching is normally between 10.30am and 6pm. The summer school is held in early July over 10 days with a follow up session in August. Typically the summer school is held in Prague. You will require a valid passport and visa if necessary. You are also expected to attend a full day induction session in September, extending to two or three days for full-time students.

Study commitment.
The amount of time you need to devote to various aspects your study will depend on your own background and previous training. Much of your course work is project based and you are expected to progress your work between classes. As a rule we suggest you should recon to allow at least 2 hours of private study for every hour you attend. That means if you are studying full time you will have about 12 to 15 hours of classes a week and this amounts to about 35-45 hours of study altogether and corresponds to a full working week. Most projects involve a degree of group work. It is expected you will make yourself available for and contribute to group sessions. You may feel the need to undertake additional reading as well. This pattern will alter at the end of the course if you are undertaking a dissertation, which will require more self-directed study.

Work and study

Most part time students are in full time employment however some are given day release. However this means a sizable commitment to do coursework in the evenings or weekends. All find the course demanding but the majority complete in two years. If you are taking the full time course it is possible to work part time but this needs to be well managed. In the past one or two students have attempted the full time course while keeping a full time job, in each case the result can only be described as a disaster and we strongly recommend you give you study ample time. If you have questions regarding the level of commitment the course will demand it is best you discuss this with the admissions tutor or course leader.

Admissions Requirements and interpretation.

The normal requirements for entry are set out in the programme specification. This note gives additional advice on our policy and practice. Each application is dealt with on an individual basis. The decision of the admissions tutor is final.

Admission requirements 1. Normally a good Honours Degree (such as a 2.2 or better) in architecture, landscape architecture, town planning, or other related discipline; together with relevant practical or professional experience. Most of our applicants hold an undergraduate degree relevant to the field of employment typically in architecture, landscape architecture or town planning. However, we will consider applicants with a degree in a related field especially if you are working in urban design. We will look at your educational and profession experience together, so for example you may be working as a planner but have a degree in geography; be working in street design but have a degree in engineering; be working in landscape design but have a science degree; be working in master planning but have a degree estate surveying; or be work as a conservation officer but have a history degree; work with urban designers but have trained as a graphic designer, all of which would be appropriate as qualifications providing you can demonstrate the link to urban design. If you have relatively, little industrial experience we will look in more detail at the range of work you did in your undergraduate degree. In particular, we will be looking to see if you have studied urban design or if your project work demonstrates an interest in urban design. You should highlight this in your personal statement. If you can demonstrate a good deal of experience in working in urban design, five years or more, we will be less concerned about the subject and classification of your degree. However, we will have to be satisfied you are capable of completing course work, including a written dissertation, at masters level. If your degree is not from a UK university then we will consider it. Detailed information on the level of qualification required is given on our web site at http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/international/country-pages 2. Full-time students would normally be expected to have some relevant experience. We typically expect a minimum two years experience, ideally much of this in urban design, master planning or similar. If you have a very strong degree or can show that much of your undergraduate work was related to urban design ( for example a relevant dissertation) we may relax this. 3. Part-time students are normally expected to be employed within the general area of urban design or related professions and to have at least two years relevant work experience. It is recommended you explain this in your personal statement. 4. Applicants with a background in another field may be considered providing they can demonstrate practical experience or knowledge of urban design. We will consider applicants who are not working in the field of urban design but this is exceptional and normally only after a personal interview. Typically, we will be looking for you to demonstrate an interest cities and their function, design ability and academic accomplishment. Students have successful completed the degree from fields including, finance, fine art and photography However it needs to be recognised that the course represents a considerable challenge for these applicants, especially in those areas in which they have no experience. A one year design course will not give you design training to the same level as full undergraduate degree course such as architecture. This course is in many ways a bridging course, ie it builds on undergraduate and professional experience and its central aim is to prepare students for professional life. Employers look at first and second degree as well as your CV. 5. Normally equivalent to IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required. We will also consider a TOEFL score including Paper based test 600, Computer based test 250, Internet based test 92 with a minimum of 20 in writing. We may accept a slightly lower score if you undertake a summer Pre-sessional English course. Contact admissions office regarding this.

Selection procedures;
The Admissions Tutor in consultation with the Course Leader assumes the overall responsibility for admissions. All MA applicants are first considered on the basis of the initial application. Applicants who meet the requirements are invited for a personal interview at the University. As part of the application, you will be asked to complete a shout self-assessment of your skills and knowledge about urban design. We will use this to build your own development plan. Individual interviews are conducted by members of the Course Team, usually the Admissions Tutor or Course Leader. After the interview each applicant is discussed and assessed by the Course Team on the basis of their academic and/or professional qualifications, relevant work experience, and interview. The Admissions Office notifies applicants of decisions. If you attend an open day we may not require an interview. Where applicants can not attend an interview in person they may submit an application by portfolio. In which case applications should be accompanied by an abbreviated portfolio of the applicants original design work and a personal statement.

Portfolio and personal statement

To help us evaluate your application we require a personal statement and a short portfolio showing how you meet the admission requirements. This is in addition to the standard requirements of references, grades and demonstration of language proficiency if required. You may also like to include a CV but this is not required. The personal statement should set out why you want to take this course and how you previous experience relates to urban design. The portfolio should be as concise as possible and should demonstrate your ability in the following: the range of urban projects on which you have worked (but not all), your skill base in graphic communication and drawing. It is intended that the portfolio include your own original work. If the work has been undertaken in an office you should the level of your involvement. If you do not submit a portfolio you must explain why in your personal statement and discuss you ability in design and graphic communication.

Graphic skills
It is anticipated you will have some ability in drawing and graphics. While this is not a requirement for entry, it is an advantage and you will need develop graphic communication skills to undertake course work. If you do not have graphic or design experience, you may find some aspects of the course challenging and a little more time consuming. However the course provides an opportunity to rehearse these skills and many students with limited previous design experience (mostly with experience in town planning) have successfully graduated from the course.

IT and CAD skills

It is expected you will be able to use a word processor. Much communication between the university and studs takes place by email and you will need access to this. Some knowledge of CAD and or graphic software is an advantage but not essential. We provide some training by way of workshops in drawing Photoshop and basic CAD but formal instruction is not a component of the course. Many students ask if they should develop IT skills especially CAD

skills before joining the course. This is a good idea, as it will help you present you ideas. We recommended

Conditional entry.
In some cases where an applicant fails to meet all entrance criteria but are strong in other respects, we may offer conditional entrance. Typically, this will allow you to enrol on the PG Cert or PG Diploma as a part time student only in order to demonstrate you ability. The course leader will agree a specific programme of study in this case. Provided you performance is at an acceptable level you may apply to transfer to the MA. More information on how to apply see our web page http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/pg/how-to-apply

Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL).

Many people have studied urban design as part of another degree in planning, landscape etc. and ask about APL. APL is not an exemption system, rather it is indented to allow students who start one degree and do not complete it to transfer credit for study they have partially completed. Typically this will be at another university or in a slightly different subject area. If you have been awarded a post graduate degree it is unlikely that any of the study you did as part of that degree can count as APL. The university regulations require you to undertake 180 credits to gain an MA rather than demonstrate you have covered a particular curriculum. You can count APL toward this only if the study involved has not contributed to a degree you have been previously awarded. If there are aspects of the course you feel you already have covered, you should consider taking alternative options to broaden you experience. If you hold a PgCert or PgDip in Urban Design you may be able to upgrade to an MA but you will be asked to surrender the original degree. Normally it will be the applicants responsibility to demonstrate that the prior learning was equivalent to specific parts of the course. If you feel you do qualify for APL contact the course leader to discuss it further.

Site visits.
Projects will typically require a site visit; these and much of the study tours are undertaken on foot. If this is likely to be a concern for you, you should contact the course team at the earliest opportunity.

Key dates year 2010/11

The university timetable is based on two teaching semesters [ semester 1 and semester 2] but is organised into 3 terms [Autumn, Spring and Summer]. Teaching on semester 1 starts into the autumn term and runs into the start of the Spring term. Semester 2 starts immediately and runs to the end of the Spring term. The summer term is given to assessment and marking. Most taught modules run in semsters1 or 2 however, the dissertation is carried into the summer term. Enrolment Induction and enrolment all day [new students only] (plus some additional days for full time students only) MA / DIP Normal hours 2-30 to 9-00pm Part time Tuesday year one Wednesday year two Full time Tuesday and Wednesday Enrolment 10am to 6pm 21 Sep w/b 20 Sep 2011

MA / DIP Normal hours Semester1 Teaching begins Teaching begins MA Field Trip Teaching ends Christmas Holiday Spring term starts Semester 2 Formal teaching starts Formal teaching ends Spring term break Summer term starts Assessments ends

2-30 to 9-00pm First year and full time Second year and full time 28 Sep 29 Sep 6-13 Nov ** 17 Dec 20 Dec- 07 Jan 10 Jan 2011 18 Jan 08 April 08 April-29 May Presentations and dissertations Last date for submissions and presentations 02 May 23 May

PG Certificate Teaching begins

Cert Summer School

Approximate date only

10-30 to 5-30pm 23Sept ** 07 Oct ** 04 Nov ** 02 Dec ** 13 Jan ** 10 Feb ** 10 March ** 07 April ** 05 May ** 02 June ** 23 June ** 8th July 18th July **

** dates are provisional and may change.

Preparing for the Course

We do not require specific preparation for the course however in order to make the most of your studies you should take time to prepare yourself as best you can. Initial reading As part of the course, you will be expected to undertake general reading and background research to support your studies. However many textbooks are written around specific issues and are best approached in an integrated way as part of your study so knowledge can be applied in your project work. For this reason we do recommend specific preparatory reading. However, the course will assume a level of background knowledge. You are likely to have done some reading on the topic in the past perhaps out of interest or else as part of a previous degree. Much of the critical thinking on urban design originates in key texts form the 1960s in particular Gordon Cullen, Kevin Lynch, and Jane Jacobs. It is expected that you will be familiar with their work if not you are advised to look at it. Useful starting points: Kevin lynch The Image of the City Gordon Cullen The Concise Townscape Jane Jacobs The Death And Life Of Great American Cities If you are joining us from a non-European country you are might find it useful to read a general urban social history to understand the evolution of the European city such as; Mark Girouard Cities and People, A Social and architectural history Richard Sennett, Flesh and stone the body and the city in Western civilization Spiro Kostof The City Shaped Lewis Mumford The City in History. Or if you would like to understand London better: Peter Ackroyd London the biography Alternately you may like to consider the substance of urban design and approach some of the current issues, such as public space, sustainability or the future of the city. Jan Gehl Life between buildings: using public space Richard Rogers Cities for a small planet Malcolm Moor & Jon Rowland Urban Design Futures If you are considering buying general text book o help you on the course and undertake you project work we recommend the following: Greed, C & Roberts, M (2001), Approaching Urban Design: Interventions and Responses: Longman, Harlow Carmona,M.;Heath, T.;Oc,T. & Tiesdell,S. (2003) Public Places Urban Spaces: The dimensions of urban design, Architectural Press, Oxford

Short description of the modules

(all 20 credit modules unless stated) Urban Design Skills (40 credits) [core for all UD courses] This course provides you with an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of urban design. It will provide a framework for understanding urban design theory and enable students to gain an insight into the relationship between urban design theory and practice. Through project work it aims to relate the practice of urban design to the wider planning and development context and enable students to gain an understanding of urban form, structure and process. The approach to urban design adopted in the course is informed by a philosophy of urbanism that promotes the positive values of cities. It will explore how the qualities of good urban environments can be achieved through design and how cities can be made better places to live in and use. A series of introductory lectures will be linked with workshop exercises and an urban design project that will employ the methods introduced in the lecture series. In the project you will work initially in groups and then on an individual basis. Experiencing the City This module takes as its core concern the interaction between people and the urban environment, with its focus on urban design. Students are introduced to different aspects of socio/spatial relations and pointed towards their relevance for urban design. The key theme for the module as a whole is social and cultural processes and spatial relations. Their interrelation will be explored in three ways: through lectures that provide an overview of different ways of reading the city; through seminar readings that tackle particular topics in depth and through a design project where students apply their social and cultural insights into urban design interventions. The relationship between a social and cultural perspectives and specific urban design interventions is not evenly explored in the academic urban studies literature but is of increasing importance to contemporary urban design practice. Whilst some topics, such as designing out crime have been examined in depth, others, such as the exploration of ethnicity, is still relatively new. This module is challenging and the tutors do not have ready-made solutions but are there to facilitate, discuss and debate. City Histories, City Futures The syllabus will consist of a lecture series that covers the following topics: the development of urban forms and the built morphology of cities; contemporary approaches to urban design e.g. the urban design canon and new American urbanism; future influences on city design e.g. the development of new information technologies and globalization. The module includes a field trip that will provide a hands-on introduction to historic forms and contemporary approaches. The field trip destination will normally be in mainland Europe. Students will learn how to do applied historical research in an urban design context through the medium of an analytic project. The project may include a comparative element and will always include a proposal for new interventions. To make the course more flexible, it is intended at some point in future to disassociate the field trip from this module whilst retaining it as a core part of the MA programme.

Urban Design Field Trip [core module for MA /Dip, but zero credit] The field trip is a residential study tour of a week, normally in November, during which a comparative analysis of urban form, components, urban spaces and their use is carried out. Much of the activity is centred on walking tours of the subject city guided by tutors in order too investigate and record its form, development and character. Students record observations of the city in a field notebook using a combination of notes and photographs but with special emphasis on sketches. The field trip is normally taken in the first year, but may be undertaken at any time during the course. Sustainable Neighbourhood Design for the integrated metropolis Introduction to recent developments in urban design theory and urban design responses to environmental and sustainable development issues at a variety of urban scales, including exploring the relationship between spatial planning, transport planning and urban design in a strategic, city-wide and sub-regional context. The module will cover the current debate on urban form and sustainable development and the impact of new environmental technologies on the future form of cities. It will explore various theoretical concepts of sustainable urban form and how such ideas might be applied as part of a urban design approach at the neighbourhood level. These will be discussed in seminars for which students will prepare short seminar papers. Through lectures and project work students will explore integrated approaches to urban spatial planning and ways of identifying more sustainable city forms. Short design exercises and workshops will provide a platform for exploring various aspects of and current approaches to urban design for sustainable development at the local level, particularly in relation to planning and managing transport and pedestrian movement. Master Planning This is a design-based module. The major component will be a site-based design project drawing on existing analysis and briefing documents to develop a masterplan and design codes for a large metropolitan site. Students will develop proposals for a new neighbourhood based on a critical appraisal of work carried out in the integrated metropolis module. Concepts of building and urban typology are used in the analysis and generation of urban design strategies and production of detailed planning layouts and design guidelines and codes. A shorter exercise will examine the public realm in a complex urban context involving spatial interventions where issues such as transport, density and pedestrian movement have a significant impact.

Urban Design Summer School [normally taken by all PG Cert students]

A project based module organised around a fulltime summer school located in host European city with strong historic and cultural context. The project provides the opportunity to explore spatial design and master planning applied, to a large site within the metropolitan and historic context. Students will apply techniques of rapid urban appraisal and generation of urban design strategies. The module is based on a design project set within a specific cultural context allowing a fresh look at common problems and questioning of assumption built up in professional practice. The majority of workshops, tutorials and studio presentations will take place in a site based intensive summer school allowing concentrated commitment to design process. Working in self-organised teams, students will collect and analyse relevant information as part of the site appraisal. Development of the design rationale and proposals will be done on an individual basis but students will be expected to share their ideas in informal presentations, workshops and group tutorials supported by group and individual

tutorials are a key element of the learning process. Formal presentation of project work to tutors and fellow students. Where possible the project course team will involve local experts in lectures, workshops and presentations. This module takes place during a 10 day session in an European city. For the past several years the summer school has been held in Prague. Urban Design Research Methods [core for MA UD] Students will be introduced to a range of urban design research methods and approaches to theory and spatial analysis through lectures, workshops and seminars. The aim will be to enhance their understanding of research and the application of related skills and methods in preparing for the dissertation/design thesis, as well as in addressing practical urban design problems. Dissertation/Design Thesis (40 credits) [core for MA UD] The Dissertation/Design Thesis allows students to explore topics or issues relating to urban design in a way that is not possible within the taught programme and is the major work undertaken by Masters level students. Students undertake a written dissertation or a major, self-directed urban design exercise, with a written report. This provides an opportunity for a theoretically-informed and rigorous investigation of a topic of particular interest building on the knowledge and skills gained in other components of the MAUD course. This investigation will take the general form of a written dissertation (12-15,000 words), based on primary or deskbased research or a studio-based design project that includes a written report (about 5-6,000 words) setting out the theoretical approach and outcome of the design work.

Additional option modules (subject to availability)

About Streets: History and context This module provides students with a comprehensive overview of the importance of place to streets and the importance of streets to place-making. Its content critically examines the evolution of streets in the context of city history. Readings from key texts and a case study project brings together separate areas of knowledge and provides opportunities to learn techniques in character appraisal. Street Design in Practice This module provides guidance and insight into reflective practice in street design and management. Through formal lectures and a practical project it expands and enhances students knowledge skills and awareness of the approaches, evidence base, techniques and policy framework relevant to the preparatory stages of a public realm improvement project. Thee include traffic management pedestrian movement new approaches of street design, safety and risk management. Introduction to International Planning: Theory and Policy The module sets out the international development context for spatial planning for sustainable development. It focuses on urban centres and their surrounding regions in a range of development contexts (developed and developing worlds; high, middle and low-income countries). It explores paradigms of development, in particular current concepts of sustainable development and their relationship to UNs Millennium Development Goals. Through lectures,

workshops, seminars and a range of coursework, students will examine the drivers of urban change and key ideas and policy issues. The module employs notions of urban systems and typologies as a framework for the comparative analysis of key issues in planning, governance, regeneration, urban design, environmental sustainability and community development. In particular, contemporary examples of good practice in spatial planning will be critically examined for their relevance to application on a range of urban typological and development contexts. Sustainable Neighbourhood Development and Management The module addresses social sustainability concerns in the context of physical neighbourhood development. It addresses urban poverty and social exclusion issues in particular in low and middle-income developing countries, with a focus on housing and tenure issues in a market-based land development context. It introduces practical techniques of community and neighbourhood planning and management, including cycle planning, development appraisal and stakeholder analysis. The module draws on a range of relevant theoretical social science perspectives, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, widely employed in development practice, and their application to urban neighbourhood development. The module will explore community-led and partnership-based approaches to their provision and management. Students will have the opportunity to visit and critically evaluate community-led projects that are recognised examples of good practice. The final part of the module focuses on housing and neighbourhood development in a series of handson, group site planning exercises, employing role-play and gaming simulation. International Spatial Planning Practice This module will critically examines the process of urban policymaking and implementation as it is currently practiced in developed and developing country contexts. This provides the basis for a comparative review of planning systems and regulatory frameworks in a range of institutional contexts, and for the exploration of alternative forms of good practice. The module addresses methods of involving key stakeholders, including communities, private investors, governments and professionals in the political and decision-making process. Through practical exercises employing a variety of planning techniques and tools, the module investigates the development of planning strategies and spatial development frameworks that address the range of sustainable land development challenges. This includes looking at ways in which European and international good practice to can be drawn on in turning a strategic spatial approach to urban and regional policy into a rational and flexible approach to development planning on the ground. Conservation Policy and Practice

The module explores principle characteristics of building of different periods, the urban morphology of historic built forms and evolution of city form. It involves the exploration and critical evaluation of various planning policy approaches to conservation and enhancement of the built environment. It explores the historical and legal background to conservation of the natural and built environments and current impact of conservation on planning, tourism and regeneration. The module uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, design workshops, site visits, seminars, presentation and discussion explores policy and practice in the UK, EU and international context.

Sustainability, Climate Change and the Built Environment Critical exploration of current theories and debates concerning sustainable development and climate change issues and the built environment and methodologies for evaluating and designing mitigation and adaptation strategies in a range of contexts and at a range of scales (metropolitan, neighbourhood, site and block/ building). The module explores sustainable development and climate change issues and the built environment and, through critical exploration of current theories and debates, and sets out a conceptual framework for evaluating mitigation and adaptation strategies. This investigation is set in the context of the global issues, international policy agenda and national sustainable development policy agendas in developed and developing countries. Key methodologies and approaches to evaluating sustainability measure and designing responses in a range of contexts and at a range of scales (metropolitan, neighbourhood, site and block/ building) will be introduced and critically applied in workshop exercises and through project assignments. Disaster Reconstruction and Development Practice Disaster reconstruction and disaster management as they relate to the built environment and long-term development needs: intended to update professionals on the recent lessons of practice and equip them to work with local communities and agencies in ensuring that disaster recovery addresses longer term development needs. Integrates sustainable development concerns with disaster planning and mitigation. The module explores disaster reconstruction and disaster management issues, in particular as they relate to the built environment, human settlements and longer-term development needs. It is intended to update built environment professionals and others on the most recent lessons of practice and equip them with a better understanding of how they work with local communities and agencies in ensuring that disaster recovery addresses longer term development needs. This is set within the international paradigm of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and integrating sustainable development concerns with disaster planning and mitigation. The module employs a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, illustrative case studies, guided reading and written papers. There will be a particular emphasis of hands-on and group-based learning and knowledge exchange, with extensive use of discussions in seminar and structured workshop contexts, and practical exercises including role-play and case study explorations.

Further information
For information regarding a new or existing applications, including information regarding Contact the admissions administrator: admissions requirements, documents, fees and procedures. Annette Fernandes Admissions and Marketing Office University of Westminster 35 Marylebone Road London NW1 5LS Telephone 020 7911 5000 ext. 3251 Fax 020 7911 5703 Email fernana1@wmin.ac.uk For specific information regarding the content and delivery of the course Contact the course leader: Bill Erickson W.N.Erickson@westminster.ac.uk Jan 2010