module specification

This module brings together some of the skills already developed in the course, particularly in relation to planning and economics, and takes a more holistic look at the influence of these and other factors on urban regeneration. Students examine the many drivers of urban regeneration, looking at different examples from the UK and around the world. Students will consider the master planning process and the meaning of placemaking and appreciate the need for community engagement for successful schemes. The module will help students to better understand the practical steps involved in regeneration but also the wider social and economic implications of such regeneration.

The module draws on students’ own experiences and interests and allows them to explore this fascinating theme of urban regeneration in detail, examining the critical arguments and encouraging the use of multiple credible sources in devising these arguments.
This module runs alongside and compliments ‘Real Estate Development’ allowing students to appreciate the differences between short term, profit driven development and much broader and strategic urban regeneration.

• Placemaking and masterplanning (LO1, LO4)
• Highest and best use options (LO1, LO4)
• Financing (LO1)
• Global trends (LO1)
• Study of regeneration schemes, national and international (LO3, LO4)
• Social and economic considerations (LO1, LO3)
• Importance of design (LO1, LO3, LO4)
• Sustainability and climate change resilience (LO3, LO4)
• High street regeneration (LO1, LO2)
• Obsolete assets and repurposing (LO2, LO3)
• Influence of national and local planning policy (LO1)
• Use classes, change of use, permitted development (LO1, LO2)
• Section 106 and CIL (LO1, LO4)
• Heritage buildings and conservation areas (LO2, LO3)
• Infrastructure considerations (LO1, LO3)
• Impact of location (LO3, LO4)
• Joint ventures (LO1)
• Gentrification (LO1, LO3, LO5)
• Undesirable impacts of regeneration (LO1, LO3, LO5)
• Meanwhile use strategies (LO1, LO4, LO5)
• Housing, affordable and social (LO1, LO3, LO5)

Study will be supported via lectures, seminars, workshops, and guided asynchronous activities. Where appropriate, activities, will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access. The value of this blended approach is that you will be able to continue to explore topics beyond the classroom and interact with your cohort to expand on discussions and debates.

Lectures will help develop your knowledge and understanding beyond your learning at level 4 and workshops and other activities will allow you to apply your learning to a range of situations, helped by peer and tutor support and real to life, authentic learning materials. There will be opportunities to leave the classroom and visit various examples and students are encouraged to explore urban projects in their own time.

You will receive formative feedback at regular intervals.  Formative means that the feedback will not go towards your final mark for the module, but you will be able to use the feedback to learn, improve your knowledge of key topics and to develop your academic writing skills. Students will be given the opportunity to self-assess their learning in small group sessions and discussions.

You will be asked to do independent and guided reading and research to support your learning, this will help you to build a wider knowledge of economic theory and how it relates to the built environment and how it will affect you as a real estate professional.

On completion of the module the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the political, social and economic drivers behind urban regeneration.
2. Investigate the effects of heritage assets and historically significant locations on urban regeneration.
3. Appraise the influence of sustainability goals on urban regeneration.
4. Compare urban regeneration schemes and apply a set of criteria to judge their success.
5. Demonstrate effective research skills in evaluating literature and other sources to enable good quality, informed debate around the subject of urban regeneration.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books, publications and online resources which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are included in the core text list.

Core:
Centre for Cities
Isaac, D., O’Leary, J. and Daley, M. (2016) Property development: appraisal and finance. 3rd edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
Ratcliffe, J., Stubbs, M. and Keeping, M. (2021) Urban planning and real estate development. 4th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
Reed, R. (2021) Property development. 7th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
Sheppard, A., Peel, D., Ritchie, H. and Berry, S. (2017) The essential guide to planning law: Decision-Making and Practice in the UK. Bristol: Policy Press.
Tallon, A. (2020) Urban regeneration in the UK. 3rd edn. London: Routledge.
The World Bank – Urban regeneration
UK Government – Levelling up and regeneration