Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning with Honours

The profession of urban and regional planning is concerned with the planning, designing, and managing of the built environment. It is an interdisciplinary field that integrates both the art and science of creating a better quality of life in a sustainable environment. At the local level, the profession deals with the planning and designing of neighborhoods, towns, and cities, while at the regional and national level, it focuses on strategic and structural planning.

Programme Philosophy

The Urban and Regional Planning programme emphasizes technical, strategic, and generic skills demanded of planners. Students are instilled with knowledge on principles of planning, creativity in designing and problem-solving, analytical and strategic thinking, as well as competency in research and practice. The programme is designed to graduate future urban planners with knowledge and skills on aspects of development, the environment, information technology, infrastructure, management, as well as institution and law.

Aim

The programme aims to produce competent graduates equipped with essential knowledge and skills for a professional career in urban and regional planning and various related fields.

Accreditation

The programme is a professional course accredited by the Malaysian Public Services Department and the Board of Town Planners Malaysia.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme have found employment opportunities widely in the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In the public sector, graduates are eligible to be employed as planners at government agencies such as:

• Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa
• Jabatan Kerajaan Tempatan
• Jabatan Perumahan Negara
• Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Negara
• Jabatan Lanskap Negara
• Local authorities In the private sector, graduates are eligible to work in:
• Planning consultation firms
• Property developers
• Project management firms
• Construction companies Other opportunities for graduates are to be an academician or work with NGOs focusing on society and the environment.

Mode and Duration of Study

• Mode of Study: Full-time
• Minimum Duration: 4 years
• Maximum Duration: 6 years

Classification of Courses

Courses offered under this programme are based on the classification scheme shown below:

• Core Courses: 53 credits
  • Studio
  • Principal Courses
  • Industrial Training: 12 credits
• Elective Courses:
  • Elective Courses
• University Courses:
  • University Courses Total credit hours to graduate: 133

Award Requirements

To be eligible to graduate from this programme, students must complete a total of 133 credit hours or more, accumulated from courses that are set according to the Classification of Courses section, with a minimum CGPA of 2.0.

Programme Implementation

Courses are designed on the principle of student-centred learning. The concept of Student Learning Time (SLT) is adopted by the programme, whereby each credit hour is equivalent to 40 hours of learning time by the students. This includes formal learning, such as lectures and tutorials, and informal learning time, such as revision and preparing coursework.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

The formal learning includes a variety of approaches depending on the nature of the courses, including:

• Lecture and Tutorial: Primary means of teaching and learning, conducted both in classes and for allocated hours per week, depending on the course credit.
• Studio: An essential component of the programme, with ten hours per week allocated for each studio. Through studio works, students learn hands-on how to resolve real urban planning problems.
• Laboratory and Field Works: Certain courses require students to undergo laboratory works or go on field work off campus.
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Implemented in a number of courses to help students reinforce their understanding of course contents.
• Industrial Training: Aims at developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a professional planner. All third-year students are required to undergo 24 weeks of industrial training at an urban planning agency of their choice.
• Final Year Project: An academic exercise to train students how to carry out research independently under the guidance of a project supervisor. Students learn the basics of research, including formulation of research problems, literature search and review, formulation of research design and methodology, determination of samples, data collection, data processing, data analysis, and interpretation, as well as the norms and style of academic writing, and the presentation and defence of research.