Digital Planning - Spatial and Policy Analysis

PLAN40761 Digital Planning - Spatial and Policy Analysis 15 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 4 Felix Agyemang Unit coordinator Nuno Pinto Unit coordinator Planning, Property and Environmental Management 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Evidence-based policy-making is central to contemporary spatial and policy analysis. The consolidation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as widely used tools for data management and advanced analysis via intensive use of data and methods to process and map this data have changed the focus of traditional spatial analysis towards a fully fledge use of digital tools. Spatial and policy analysis knowledge and methods, supported by digital tools, is a central set of knowledge and skills for professionals in urban planning and policy related areas. Acknowledging the ongoing significant shift in the UK and worldwide urban agendas towards a comprehensive digital approach to planning and policy design and monitoring, the course addresses basic and complex issues and delivers an essential toolkit for graduates to be effective professionals in providing robust, intelligible and accessible evidence for all domains of spatial and policy analysis. Evidence-based policy-making is central to contemporary spatial and policy analysis. The consolidation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as widely used tools for data  management and advanced analysis via intensive use of data and methods to process  and map this data have changed the focus of traditional spatial analysis towards a fully  fledge use of digital tools.  Spatial and policy analysis knowledge and methods, supported by digital tools, is a central set of knowledge and skills for professionals in urban planning and policy related areas. Acknowledging the ongoing significant shift in the UK and worldwide urban agendas towards a comprehensive digital approach to planning and policy design and monitoring, the course addresses basic and complex issues and delivers an essential toolkit for graduates to be effective professionals in providing robust, intelligible and accessible evidence for all domains of spatial and policy analysis.This first semester module seeks to provide students with a coherent guide to the variety of methods and techniques employed in analysing contemporary urban issues and spatial and policy outcomes and impacts.  The content of the course unit includes the following four main blocks:  - Basic principles of spatial analysis  - Using indicators in spatial policy analysis and monitoring  - Spatial Analysis Applied: Monitoring Area Structure and Area Change  - Introduction to GIS, spatial queries, geovisualisation and geoprocessing  - Introduction to spatial analysis with coding and AI  - Introduction to hypothesis formulation and statistical testing for spatial and policy analysis The unit aims to: To enhance the understanding of trends, relationships and spatial patterns of development and to in order to provide a context for policy-making;  To encourage students think critically about (spatial) data, different forms of analysis, and presentation techniques with regard to data and analytical findings.  To present various methodologies of spatial analysis used to carry out spatial policy monitoring and evaluation to assess the outputs and outcomes of policy action;  To make use of software, coding, cutting-edge AI, and information technology to answer spatial and policy questions and present analytical findings. Develop a critical knowledge of the range of theories,  techniques and methods used to analyse, monitor and evaluate spatial policy issues and actions; Providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, compare and apply these techniques and methods in theory and practice; Answer spatial and policy questions through the use of GIS, coding and AI. Have a critical opinion about the use of advanced quantitative tools in urban planning and policy analysis; Critical evaluate and analyse the potential and limitations of using quantitative methods in urban planning and policy analysis; Demonstrate knowledge about the principles of spatial data analysis and its use in supporting spatial policy issues and actions   Data collection, processing and management skills; Use a range of IT resources to obtain, analyse and present information, including open-access and proprietary databases and software to process data;  Use of GIS to query, analyse, and present information in a professional manner;  Use coding and AI to solve important spatial and policy analysis problems.   Use of different spatial analyses methods to develop evidence-based analysis to support policy design and monitoring in the context of both PPEM course units and the professional practice  Reporting data analyses to support policy and planning processes;    The course will have synchronous lectures, some asynchronous lectures, some support readings and many activities that will be subsequently discussed in in-class synchronous discussion sessions.This module will be delivered through a combination of teaching methods with a strong emphasis on the importance of hands-on experience and small group learning.The teaching will be largely based on introductory lectures and practical workshops that will be taken by students independently, with a follow-up QA session to consolidate that knowledge.Short lectures will be used to introduce the concepts and principles that underpin each  method and technique. This will be complemented by workshops to provide students with the first-hand experience of carrying out data collection and analysis tasks.There will be a strong connection between the different components taught in the module and assessments. These cover basic to advanced spatial and policy analysis making use of the range of methods, techniques and tools future graduates will apply in their practice. These will involve the cumulative collection, analysis and presentation of data and findings throughout the course.Assignments are designed to be approached with a critical perspective while applying the methods, techniques and tools for spatial and policy analysis. Both assignments intrinsically deliver on all components of the assignments without creating overassessment.   0 Other 100% Assignment 1 - GIS Scenario Exercise: initial data and mapping skills 900 words 30% weightingAssignment 2 - Individual Report 1800 words 60% weightingAssignment 2 - Reproducible Workbook 10% weighting  Written feedback will be provided within 15 working days of each submission. N Carley, M. (1980) Rational Techniques in Policy Analysis: Heinemann Educational Books, LondonDavies, H. (1995) Demographic Projection Techniques for Regions and Small Areas: A Primer UBC Press, Vancouver.Field, B. and MacGregor, B. (1987) Forecasting Techniques for Urban and Regional Planning, Hutchinson, London.Hambleton, R. and Thomas, H. (1995) Urban Policy Evaluation: Challenge and Change, Chapman, London.Innes, J. E. (1990) Knowledge and Public Policy: the Search of Meaningful Indicators, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers.ODPM (2006) A Framework for City Regions, ODPM (now DCLG), London.(http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/588/AFrameworkforCityRegionsResearchReportPDF814Kb_id1163588.pdf)ODPM (2006) State of the English Cities, ODPM (now DCLG), London.(http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1127498)RTPI (2006) Uniting Britain: The evidence base - spatial structure and key drivers, RTPI, London(http://www.rtpi.org.uk/resources/publications/spatial.html)Wong, C. (2006) Indicators for Urban and Regional Planning: The Interplay of Policy and Methods, Routledge, London.Wong, C., Baker, M., Webb, B., Hincks, S. and Schultze-Baing, A. (2015) ‘Mapping policies and programmes: the use of GIS to communicate spatial relationships in England’ Environment and Planning B. Lectures 11 Practical classes & workshops 33 0 106