module specification

This research module includes both a generic component, ensuring that students have a full understanding of the research and analysis required to provide the evidence base and other forms of research relevant for spatial planning, and a component specific to each specialism, housing strategy or urban design.

Corequisite ADP052N respectively

The aim of the module is to provide students with a basic knowledge of the variety of research conducted in the field and the skills required to conduct quantitative, qualitative and other research methods including action research and design research, to provide the base for developing spatial planning policies. This also includes sourcing, understanding and using other data and information.
1. To understand why spatial planning, housing strategy and urban design may require an evidence base as well as other forms of research to underpin policy development.
2. To provide students with the knowledge to determine the range of information and interpretation required for projects and plans.
3. To enable students to either commission or conduct research.
4. To enable students to critically assess and speculate upon the validity and reliability of research and analysis conducted by others.

The module will cover the required evidence base for developing policies in spatial planning, housing as well as more speculative methodologies for urban design. The course will make use of local and regional case studies in London - a world city - and refer to research and major project examples in the capital. There will also be an opportunity to situate this within an international context. Students will apply this learning to propose their own research, methods and analysis.

It is intended that the Research module will be run over two terms with the part dealing with generic research for spatial planning run during semester A and the research for the specialism, housing strategy or urban design, run in semester B. Lectures (12 hours) and seminar discussions and presentations (12 hours). Students will be encouraged to develop an independent approach to their own learning through use of directed course reading (120 hours self-directed study).This will involve preparation for seminar discussions and presentations.

On completion of this module students will be able to
(LO1) understand why spatial planning, housing strategy and urban design require an evidence base as well as a range of other methods to underpin policy development. (LO2) determine information required for projects and plans . (LO3) commission or conduct research. (LO4) Critically evaluate and speculate upon research and analysis conducted by others.

In Semester A: Essay (50%)
In Semester B: Portfolio + Thesis Abstract (50%)

Students must pass each component

Bibliography for Spatial Planning include:
Research methods general
Brymann, A. (2004) Social Research Methods (end edition), Oxford University Press
Ritchie, J. & Lewis, J. (2003) Qualitative Research Practice, Sage
Moser, C and Kaltan, G (1993) Survey Methods in Social Investigation, Heinmann

Research for spatial planning
KITCHEN, Ted, Skills for Planning Practice (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007)
ROBERTS, Margaret An Introduction to Town Planning Techniques (Hutchinson
1974)
RYDIN, Yvonne Urban and Environmental Planning in the UK (Macmillan 2003)
WONG, Cecilia Indicators for Urban and Regional Planning (Routledge/RTPI
2006)
HEADICAR, Peter Transport Policy and Planning in Great Britain (Routledge
2009)
SHRIVASTAVA, O S Regional Economics and Regional Planning (New Delhi 2009)

Research and data sources
London's people and households :
2001 Census: www.ons.gov.uk/census
www.statistics.gov.uk/regionaltrends41 click on London for Summary and Focus on London
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/publications/facts-figures/population.jsp
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housing research/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/householdestimates
www.london.gov.uk

Bibliography for Housing Strategy Specialism include:
Researching housing needs and aspirations:
Local Housing Needs Assessment: a guide to good practice, Bramley, G., and Pawson, H., DETR, 2000

Researching housing stock and conditions:
www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/localauthorityhousing - for London boroughs'up to date monitoring statistics and estimates
www.communties.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingsurveys - English House Condition Survey, Survey of English Housing and English Housing Survey

Researching housing markets and requirements
Strategic Housing Market Assessments: Practice Guidance version 2, CLG Planning, 2007,
Housing Market Assessment, GLA, 2009

Bibliography for Urban Design include:

BRAUNFELS, Wolfgang Urban Design in Western Europe. Regime and Architecture 900-1900 (Chicago 1988)

CARMONA, Matthew and TIESDELL, Steve ed Urban Design Reader (Spon 2007)

CARMONA, Matthew with others Public Places – Urban Spaces. A Guide to Urban Design (Architectural Press 2003)

GREED, Clara and ROBERTS, Marion Introducing Urban Design (Longman 1998)
COLEMAN, Alice Utopia on Trial. Vision and Reality in Planned Housing (Hilary Shipman 1985)
CULLEN, Gordon The Concise Townscape (Van Norstrand 1961)
GALLION, Arthur and EISNER, Simon The Urban Pattern (Van Nostrand 1963)
JACOBS, Jane The Death and Life of Great American Cities ( Vintage 1992 reprint)
KOSTOF, Spiro The City Shaped (Thames and Hudson 1999)
KOSTOF, Spiro The City Assembled (Little, Brown 1999)
LE CORBUSIER The City of Tomorrow and its Planning (Dover 1987)
LE CORBUSIER Towards a New Architecture (Dover 1986)
LYNCH, Kevin The Image of the City (Cambridge, Mass 1960)
LYNCH, Kevin Good City Form (Cambridge, Mass 1984)
PERRY, Clarence Housing for the Machine Age (Russell Sage Foundation, New York 1939)

RICHARDSON, Benjamin Hygeia: A City of Health (Kessinger reprint of 1876)
SITTE, Camillo The Birth of Modern Town Planning (Dover 2006 reprint of 1889)
TIBBALDS, Francis Making People Friendly Towns (Routledge 2000)
COWAN, Rob Urban Design Guidance (Thomas Telford 2000)
Better Places to Live – By Design (DTLR/ CABE 2001)
Urban Design Compendium ( HC/EP 2000)
By Design: Urban Design and the Planning System: Towards Better Practice (DCLG/Thomas Telford 2000)