Regional Planning

Course Description

Objectives

The course on Regional Planning focuses on theoretical planning issues, through a series of lectures and an applied study focusing on spatial planning in practice. 

1. The series of lectures aim at:

• Describing the theoretical framework of spatial planning, paying special attention on the participatory planning approach.
• Presenting the spatial planning process.
• Elaborating on methods and models used in the planning process. More precisely, scenario analysis tools are used, as well as evaluation methods (e.g. SWOT analysis, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis – MCDA), in support of the decision-making centers conducting spatial planning policies. 

The group study includes an exercise in spatial planning at a level of a region. In this context all the concepts and tools presented at the lectures are studied in practice.

Content

A series of lectures on

• Theoretical concepts and approaches in planning
• Spatial planning process
• Method, models and techniques in planning
• Building alternative scenarios
• Evaluation methods in spatial planning
• Participatory planning
• Regional policy in European Union and Greece 

Student’s group work

 The group work includes:

The study of a problem at the level of a spatial unit, following the presented spatial planning process, e.g. description of the existing status of the area under study, building and evaluation of alternative scenarios, submission of policy proposal.

The study will be undertaken by a group of students. 

Teaching & Assessment

The teaching method consists of three-hours lectures every week and class discussions.

Written examination based on theory (60%) and submission of student’s group work (40%).