Bachelor of Science in Spatial Planning (Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology)
Date
2024
Editors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
AESOP
Abstract
The BSc in Spatial Planning delivered at Warsaw University of Technology is distinctive in conferring an engineering 7-semester degree to undergraduates placed within a broad educational framework of integrated spatial planning for sustainable development. It brings together the following aspects of quality in planning education:
Programme Curriculum and Identity:
- Within a specific Polish and wider international context for planning education, the programme offers a combination of a broad variety of core and elective courses in planning generally divided into: fundamentals, planning conditions, planning process and specialization courses;
- It combines three basic learning lines focused on: environmental conditions, GIS support and land management and spatial/urban design and sociocultural aspects;
- In the 6th semester students are offered and supported in choosing between two specialisations: 1) "Environmental conditions of spatial planning" - a program covering environmental, social and economic aspects including land management, as well as the use of advanced geospatial technologies in decision-making process; 2) "Urban design in spatial planning" - education of future planners in the preparation and development of planning processes and documents, including the acquisition of the ability to correctly and adequately detail the formulation of provisions in land use plans, focused on housing and public realm, technologically supported by GIS, CAD and BIM;
- Targeted courses focus on the context of planning in Poland, paying attention to issues such as post-industrial, post-mining and chemically contaminated areas.
Principles of Pedagogy
- The programme has a strong focus on cross-disciplinary training reflected at different levels: cross-faculty contributions to the curriculum, cross-disciplinary topical foci and cross-disciplinary group work formats;
- It offers problem-based learning in courses in each discipline to understand and critically explore their disciplinary methods and potential. These competences are being integrated in the planning studios, geospatial analysis studios, diplomas, and workshops/seminars;
- It enables structured encounters of students, staff and relevant planning actors (external experts, public authorities, end-users, representatives of NGOs and businesses) as forms of creating transdisciplinary learning environments;
- Deep reflection on planning practices is encouraged by the use of pedagogical ‘reflection in action’ techniques such as student manifestos and learning diaries;
- A well-balanced curriculum in terms of space for students’ individual development (thesis topics, internship interests), experience with working in groups (various studio exercises), exhibition of their work to different audiences and promotion of excellence (stimulating and offering “first pick” to excellent students when it comes to choosing their specialisation).
Showcase Practices
- Offering an international and interdisciplinary co-creation workshop in a VR environment, wherein students of the course ‘Revitalization Project’ meet and discuss with other international students in a Virtual Reality Environment;
- Making excellent use of GIS-expertise by training students in data-driven and digitally supported decision-making processes, for instance in the context of the course ‘Cartography in the Decision Support Process of Spatial Planning’. The course offers opportunities for developing technical knowledge and skills related to complex spatial analysis which are subsequently used as basis for role-playing while exploring solution scenarios using design heuristic optimization tools and consensus building methods at different scales.