National Diploma 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
Prepare evidence of relevant certificate study or comparable prior learning for the provider's admission review. Refresh the subject knowledge, calculations and practical skills needed for diploma work. Plan access to the supervised workplace, laboratory or project resources required by the course.
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 17 subjects
1Specialist subjects12 subjects
- Environmental Planning
- Spatial Planning Law 1
- Design And Plan Production 2
- Principles Of Economics
- Land Information Management For Spatial Planning
- Surveying Concepts And Draughting
- Traffic Engineering In Spatial Planning
- Research Methods For Spatial Planning
- Geographic Information Systems For Spatial Planning
- Project Management For Spatial Planning
- Geographical Concepts In Spatial Planning
- Spatial Planning Project
2Foundations and shared practice3 subjects
3Practical integration2 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.
17 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
- Environmental Planning. Explore the control of pollution and the reliable operation of environmental services. Practice centres on an environmental-service performance and improvement report, drawing on sources, pathways and receiving environments and sampling, monitoring and data quality. You will record findings, justify decisions and check monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
- Spatial Planning Law 1. Explore 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.
- Design And Plan Production 2. Explore 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.
- Principles Of Economics. Explore the interpretation of economic choices, markets and resource constraints. Practice centres on an economic case analysis with a simple data display, drawing on scarcity, incentives and opportunity cost and demand, supply and price formation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the assumptions behind the explanation and the distribution of effects.
- Land Information Management For Spatial Planning. Explore 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.
- Surveying Concepts And Draughting. Explore 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.
- Traffic Engineering In Spatial Planning. Explore the assessment of road infrastructure and traffic movement. Practice centres on a road or traffic observation and appraisal report, drawing on road functions and user needs and alignment, cross-sections and drainage concepts. You will record findings, justify decisions and check data quality, user needs and the limits of the proposed solution.
- Research Methods For Spatial Planning. Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
- Geographic Information Systems For Spatial Planning. Explore the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Project Management For Spatial Planning. Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
- Geographical Concepts In Spatial Planning. Explore 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.
- Spatial Planning Project. Explore 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.
Foundations and shared practice
- Spatial Planning Computer Applications. Explore 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.
- National Studies. Explore 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. Explore 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
- On The Job Education And Training. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect environmental planning, spatial planning law 1 with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate environmental planning, spatial planning law 1 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: analyse applied problems and justify your decisions using relevant evidence.
- Suggested practical assessment: complete a supervised project or portfolio with a clear method, results and evaluation.
- Present and defend your recommendations, then revise the work in response to assessor feedback.
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
Environmental Planning
Explore the control of pollution and the reliable operation of environmental services. Practice centres on an environmental-service performance and improvement report, drawing on sources, pathways and receiving environments and sampling, monitoring and data quality. You will record findings, justify decisions and check monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
Learning outcomes
- Identify an environmental problem and relevant monitoring evidence.
- Compare treatment or prevention options using stated criteria.
- Prepare an improvement plan with practical performance measures.
Main topics
- Sources, pathways and receiving environments
- Sampling, monitoring and data quality
- Treatment or prevention principles
- Operating resources and maintenance
- Waste handling and environmental responsibilities
- Performance assessment and improvement planning
Practical task
For Environmental Planning, prepare an environmental-service performance and improvement report in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of monitoring quality, treatment assumptions and maintenance feasibility.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Spatial Planning Law 1
Explore 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 Spatial Planning Law 1, 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Design And Plan Production 2
Explore 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 2, 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Principles Of Economics
Explore the interpretation of economic choices, markets and resource constraints. Practice centres on an economic case analysis with a simple data display, drawing on scarcity, incentives and opportunity cost and demand, supply and price formation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the assumptions behind the explanation and the distribution of effects.
Learning outcomes
- Explain an economic relationship using a relevant example.
- Interpret an economic indicator without overstating its meaning.
- Compare the effects of a market or policy change on different participants.
Main topics
- Scarcity, incentives and opportunity cost
- Demand, supply and price formation
- Production, costs and market structures
- Income, employment and inflation
- Money, finance and exchange-rate effects
- Policy choices and evidence-based interpretation
Practical task
For Principles Of Economics, prepare an economic case analysis with a simple data display in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the assumptions behind the explanation and the distribution of effects.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Land Information Management For Spatial Planning
Explore 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 Land Information Management For Spatial Planning, 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
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Surveying Concepts And Draughting
Explore 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 Surveying 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Traffic Engineering In Spatial Planning
Explore the assessment of road infrastructure and traffic movement. Practice centres on a road or traffic observation and appraisal report, drawing on road functions and user needs and alignment, cross-sections and drainage concepts. You will record findings, justify decisions and check data quality, user needs and the limits of the proposed solution.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret road or traffic observations using a consistent method.
- Explain how design and condition affect movement and safety.
- Prepare a justified improvement or maintenance recommendation.
Main topics
- Road functions and user needs
- Alignment, cross-sections and drainage concepts
- Materials and pavement behaviour
- Traffic counts and operating conditions
- Safety, access and maintenance needs
- Data interpretation and improvement options
Practical task
For Traffic Engineering In Spatial Planning, prepare a road or traffic observation and appraisal report in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of data quality, user needs and the limits of the proposed solution.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Research Methods For Spatial Planning
Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a question suited to the available evidence and resources.
- Collect and analyse information using a documented method.
- Present conclusions supported by findings and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Problem definition and research questions
- Finding and evaluating literature
- Sampling and data-collection choices
- Consent, confidentiality and research integrity
- Organising and analysing evidence
- Interpreting results and reporting limitations
Practical task
For Research Methods For Spatial Planning, prepare a research proposal and small investigation 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 conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Geographic Information Systems For Spatial Planning
Explore the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Geographic Information Systems For Spatial Planning, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Project Management For Spatial Planning
Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Project Management For Spatial Planning, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a urban and regional planning setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Geographical Concepts In Spatial Planning
Explore 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 Geographical Concepts In Spatial Planning, 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
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Spatial Planning Project
Explore 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 Spatial Planning Project, 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Foundations and shared practice
Spatial Planning Computer Applications
Explore 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 Spatial Planning Computer Applications, 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
National Studies
Explore 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Explore 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. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Practical integration
On The Job Education And Training
Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect environmental planning, spatial planning law 1 with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Learning outcomes
- Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
- Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
- Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.
Main topics
- Workplace induction and agreed duties
- Applying technical knowledge to real work
- Work records and evidence of contribution
- Team communication and professional conduct
- Supervisor feedback and skills development
- Reflective review and future learning priorities
Practical task
Complete supervised duties linked to National Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate environmental planning, spatial planning law 1 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
