Master in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan)

Program Overview

The Master's in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) at UCC is a two-year program with a global focus that equips graduates with the expertise to address environmental challenges using planning models. The comprehensive curriculum, taught by renowned academics and practitioners, covers urban, rural, and regional planning strategies and culminates in a research project or dissertation. Graduates are qualified for careers in planning institutions and environmental sectors worldwide.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master's in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) program at University College Cork (UCC) is a two-year, full-time, internationally recognized, and professionally accredited master's course in spatial planning and development. It focuses on cities, regions, towns, rural areas, and neighborhoods.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to tackle real-world sustainability and environmental challenges in public, private, and community settings globally. It develops a strong capacity for making imaginative, balanced, and practical proposals and recommendations about the future of places.

Outline:

The MPlan is a comprehensive program structured over two academic years, totaling 120 credits. It is compatible with European standards and international professional training models for planning.

Year 1 (60 credits total):

• PD6105 Housing, Social Change and Community Needs (5 credits): This module explores the relationship between housing, social change, and community needs.
• PD6106 Infrastructure and Transport in Land Use Planning (5 credits): This module examines the role of infrastructure and transport in land use planning.
• PD6110 Foundations in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits): This module provides a foundational understanding of planning and sustainable development principles.
• PD6111 Contemporary Concepts in Planning Theory (5 credits): This module explores contemporary concepts in planning theory.
• PD6112 Drawing, Communication and Observation Skills (5 credits): This module develops drawing, communication, and observation skills relevant to planning.
• PD6113 Information and Engagement Skills in Planning (5 credits): This module focuses on information gathering and engagement techniques in planning.
• PD6114 Planning Processes, Administration and Participation (5 credits): This module examines planning processes, administration, and public participation.
• PD6116 Urban and Metropolitan Spatial Planning (5 credits): This module focuses on urban and metropolitan spatial planning.
• PD6117 Regional, National and Transnational Planning (5 credits): This module explores regional, national, and transnational planning perspectives.
• PD6118 Principles of Urban Design and Place-making (5 credits): This module introduces principles of urban design and place-making.
• PD6205 Planning and Management of Natural Resources (5 credits): This module examines the planning and management of natural resources.
• LW6101 Introduction to Planning Law (5 credits): This module provides an introduction to planning law.

Year 2 (60 credits total):

• PD6120 Landscape Character, Context and Change (5 credits): This module explores landscape character, context, and change.
• PD6206 Property, Sustainable Growth and Enterprise (5 credits): This module examines the relationship between property, sustainable growth, and enterprise.
• PD6208 Applied Discourses in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits): This module explores applied discourses in planning and sustainable development.
• PD6209 International Planning Systems and Approaches (5 credits): This module examines international planning systems and approaches.
• PD6211 Plan-making and Forward Planning Skills (5 credits): This module develops plan-making and forward planning skills.
• PD6212 Planning Skills in Development Management and Assessment (5 credits): This module focuses on planning skills in development management and assessment.
• PD6213 Research Methods and Proposals in Planning (5 credits): This module introduces research methods and proposals in planning.
• PD6215 Planning Dissertation/Research Project (15 credits): This module involves a substantial research project or dissertation.

Assessment:

The MPlan program is assessed primarily through coursework, including essays, designs, field journals, tutorials, team projects, written reflections, individual presentations, and research projects/dissertations.

Teaching:

The core of the program is taught by full-time and part-time staff of the UCC Centre for Planning Education and Research (CPER), a full member of the Association of European Schools of Planning, and other UCC departments. Additional teaching contributions are made by professional practitioners and guest lecturers as needed.

Main teaching team:

• Brendan O’Sullivan (Senior Lecturer, CPER)
• Dr Karen Ray (Lecturer, CPER)
• Jeanette Fitzsimons (Lecturer, CPER)
• Professor Cathal O’Connell (School of Applied Social Studies)
• Dr Phyllis Comerford (Department of Law)
• Pádraig Collins MRTPI
• Dr Nicholas Mansergh MIPI
• Kevin Burke MRTPI
• Mona Hallinan (Built Heritage)

Careers:

The MPlan program is a professional master's degree fully accredited by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the planning industry, both in the public and private sectors.

Potential career paths:

• Planning: Working in central/regional/local government, planning consultancies, or as independent planners.
• Other environmentally based occupations: Working in the third sector, transport, housing, recycling, property development, energy, community development, and economic development.
• Research and further studies: Pursuing a PhD, teaching, or academic research.

Other:

• The program has an international focus, with two study visits outside of Ireland.
• The program's disciplinary ethos spans the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• The MPlan team has strong relationships with employers and specialist planning recruitment agencies, which helps secure positions for graduates.
• The MPlan is showcased by the UCC Graduate Attribute Programme.