National Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning
This course develops your ability to analyse settlement needs and prepare planning information for responsible urban and regional development.
About the course
This course develops your ability to analyse settlement needs and prepare planning information for responsible urban and regional development. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Interpret spatial, social and environmental information relevant to planning.
Prepare a planning proposal supported by evidence and stakeholder considerations.
Evaluate the proposal against the stated development objectives.
Requirements
Review your English, numerical skills and introductory knowledge of the subject. Prepare to follow technical instructions, record results and complete supervised practical work. Check the provider's published admission requirements for this certificate before enrolment.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 14 subjects
1Specialist subjects7 subjects
2Foundations and shared practice6 subjects
3Practical integration1 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
14 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Rural Development. Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
- Development Control And Management. Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
- Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 1. Study the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
- Design And Plan Production. Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
- Regional, Master And Local Plan Preparation. Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
- Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 2. Study the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
- Survey Concepts And Draughting. Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Foundations and shared practice
- Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management. Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
- Workplace Communication. Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
- Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development. Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
- Applied Mathematics For Urban And Property Studies. Study mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
- National Studies. Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Practical integration
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate rural development, development control and management within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: applied questions, calculations or short cases linked to the learning areas.
- Suggested practical assessment: demonstrate a procedure and submit a portfolio showing your method, results and quality checks.
- Explain your decisions to the assessor and use feedback to improve the completed work.
Practical application
Develop a settlement-planning case study with maps, a needs analysis, options and an implementation or monitoring plan.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Rural Development
Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse a settlement or land-use problem using spatial and social evidence.
- Prepare a planning option with clear service and implementation implications.
- Evaluate the proposal against community needs and environmental constraints.
Main topics
- Settlement patterns and development needs
- Land-use and service information
- Mapping and spatial analysis
- Planning options and community participation
- Development controls and implementation responsibilities
- Monitoring, accessibility and environmental effects
Practical task
For Rural Development, prepare a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Development Control And Management
Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse a settlement or land-use problem using spatial and social evidence.
- Prepare a planning option with clear service and implementation implications.
- Evaluate the proposal against community needs and environmental constraints.
Main topics
- Settlement patterns and development needs
- Land-use and service information
- Mapping and spatial analysis
- Planning options and community participation
- Development controls and implementation responsibilities
- Monitoring, accessibility and environmental effects
Practical task
For Development Control And Management, prepare a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 1
Study the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Learning outcomes
- Represent a defined load case with a clear structural model.
- Calculate a relevant force, stress or deformation.
- Evaluate the result against the stated assumptions and constraints.
Main topics
- Loads, supports and equilibrium
- Stress, strain and material response
- Axial force, shear and bending
- Deflection and serviceability concepts
- Member behaviour and connection principles
- Calculation checks and technical presentation
Practical task
For Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 1, prepare a structural calculation and diagram portfolio in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Design And Plan Production
Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse a settlement or land-use problem using spatial and social evidence.
- Prepare a planning option with clear service and implementation implications.
- Evaluate the proposal against community needs and environmental constraints.
Main topics
- Settlement patterns and development needs
- Land-use and service information
- Mapping and spatial analysis
- Planning options and community participation
- Development controls and implementation responsibilities
- Monitoring, accessibility and environmental effects
Practical task
For Design And Plan Production, prepare a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Regional, Master And Local Plan Preparation
Study the organisation of land use and services around community needs. Practice centres on a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions, drawing on settlement patterns and development needs and land-use and service information. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse a settlement or land-use problem using spatial and social evidence.
- Prepare a planning option with clear service and implementation implications.
- Evaluate the proposal against community needs and environmental constraints.
Main topics
- Settlement patterns and development needs
- Land-use and service information
- Mapping and spatial analysis
- Planning options and community participation
- Development controls and implementation responsibilities
- Monitoring, accessibility and environmental effects
Practical task
For Regional, Master And Local Plan Preparation, prepare a local planning proposal with maps and implementation actions in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the connection between evidence, affected users and the proposed spatial change.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 2
Study the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Learning outcomes
- Represent a defined load case with a clear structural model.
- Calculate a relevant force, stress or deformation.
- Evaluate the result against the stated assumptions and constraints.
Main topics
- Loads, supports and equilibrium
- Stress, strain and material response
- Axial force, shear and bending
- Deflection and serviceability concepts
- Member behaviour and connection principles
- Calculation checks and technical presentation
Practical task
For Urban Development And Infrastructural Services 2, prepare a structural calculation and diagram portfolio in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Survey Concepts And Draughting
Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a drawing using scale, dimensions and conventions.
- Produce coordinated technical views for a stated purpose.
- Check and revise a drawing set using recorded feedback.
Main topics
- Drawing conventions, scale and dimensions
- Views, sections and projection
- Interpreting a technical brief
- Manual and computer-aided drawing tools
- Detail coordination and revision control
- Checking drawings against measurements and specifications
Practical task
For Survey Concepts And Draughting, prepare a checked drawing or model portfolio in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Foundations and shared practice
Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management
Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Learning outcomes
- Identify hazards and select controls appropriate to the task.
- Follow an agreed safe-work and quality-check procedure.
- Record an incident or defect and recommend corrective action.
Main topics
- Hazard identification and exposure routes
- Risk assessment and control hierarchy
- Safe work preparation and protective equipment
- Environmental impacts and waste handling
- Incident reporting and emergency communication
- Inspection records and corrective action
Practical task
For Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management, prepare a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Workplace Communication
Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Learning outcomes
- Choose language and a channel suited to the audience.
- Prepare an accurate written or spoken service message.
- Respond to feedback while preserving a reliable record.
Main topics
- Purpose, audience and communication channels
- Listening, questioning and confirmation
- Professional correspondence and reports
- Meetings, briefings and presentation
- Difficult conversations and service recovery
- Confidentiality, accessible language and records
Practical task
For Workplace Communication, prepare a communication portfolio with a service scenario in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development
Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
Learning outcomes
- Create and organise files for a defined work task.
- Use a spreadsheet or document tool to process information accurately.
- Check outputs and protect the underlying information.
Main topics
- Files, folders, naming and version control
- Word-processing layouts and structured documents
- Spreadsheet calculations and charts
- Presentation of findings and supporting evidence
- Data entry, validation and checking
- Access controls, backup and responsible information use
Practical task
For Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development, prepare a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Applied Mathematics For Urban And Property Studies
Study mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
Learning outcomes
- Select a mathematical method suited to a stated problem.
- Show calculations with consistent units and clear assumptions.
- Check the result against an independent estimate or known constraint.
Main topics
- Units, ratios and numerical accuracy
- Algebraic relationships and equations
- Graphs, tables and interpretation
- Geometry and measurement applications
- Descriptive statistics and variation
- Model assumptions, checking and technical reporting
Practical task
For Applied Mathematics For Urban And Property Studies, prepare a worked problem portfolio using occupational data in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
National Studies
Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Practical integration
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate rural development, development control and management within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Develop a settlement-planning case study with maps, a needs analysis, options and an implementation or monitoring plan.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Instructors
