The course engages students interactively with seminal texts within environmental and infrastructure planning and enhances critical thinking on contemporary planning debates in theory and practice.

On completion of the course learners will be able to: (1) critically compare and cross reference central arguments and relevant examples from seminal theoretical texts within environmental and infrastructure planning; and (2) read, distil and write summaries of key journal articles, present ideas effectively using presentation software and develop their critical perspectives on contemporary planning debates for planning practice. Following mini-lectures by the instructor learners present their ideas, with feedback from the instructor and fellow learners, stimulating a depth and critical engagement with the central ideas with reference to relevant examples. Topics include: collaborative planning and governance (e.g. Patsy Healey), rationality and power (e.g. Bent Flyvbjerg), complexity theory and planning (e.g. Juval Portugali), institutions and institutional change (e.g. Alexander).

This course is part of the second year of the Double Degree Master Water and Coastal Management and takes place in Groningen.

See https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/frw/vak/show?code=GEMEIPWSH5 for more information about this course.

Assignments, Presentation
(Pre-class assignments, participation in-class, presentation, final assignment)