| CODE | SPI5781 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | The Impact of Spatial Planning on the Environment | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit highlights pertinent issues in relation to spatial planning and discusses the overlap with environmental issues, with a mix of both theory and practice. It is divided into the following sessions: Session 1. Map reading and interpretation [4hrs]. This session will consist of a theoretical component, followed by a practical desktop mapping tutorial and on-site mapping session to familiarise learners with different methods of data gathering, analysis and visualisation. The session will focus on map contour meaning and their interpretation and the reading of map physical features. Importance will be given on how to critically analyse a Map. Session 2. Architectural plan reading and interpretation. This session will focus on the understanding of architectural plans, sections, elevations and their interrelatedness as part of the development planning application submission, as well as for a fluent understanding and visualization of how the eventual structure will actually look. The session will also focus on the important conventions and information that should be contained on drawings to enable a proper assessment, their purpose and associated jargon, colour coding and other Planning Authority conventions and requirements. An interpretation session using real-life projects/planning applications will also be included. Session 3. The development planning process. This session will cover a brief overview of the Development Planning Act including the concept of material considerations; an overview of the planning policy regime and policy hierarchy; and some important pointers with regard to policy interpretation and application. Due consideration will also be given to the provisions of DC 2015 as one of the most comprehensive policy documents. An outline of the development process will be provided together with which documents and what information is generally requested as part of the application process. The lecture will be followed by a debate on the gaps between the development and environmental permit for learners to identify such gaps and be in a better position to propose any improvements to the current development application process, or request further information when consulted. Session 4. Environmental impacts and their mitigation. This session will consist of a theoretical session on approaches for convincing architects/applicants to re-design their proposals to make them more environmentally and resource efficient. Examples of such advocated changes include: • Adopting a passive design that takes account of the siting or orientation of proposed buildings; • Addressing visual impacts; • Integrating nature-based solutions (urban greening, green infrastructure, water etc) to offset the impact of the development on natural cycles; • Waste management; • The interface between the development and the environmental context surrounding it. Session 5. From environmental assessment to sustainability assessment. This session will take stock of the existing practices related to SEA, AA (Assessment related to Habitats – Habitats Directive) and EIA and with a view towards securing better environmental & landscape governance whilst also moving towards sustainability assessments that will enable a better reconciliation of economic, social and environmental issues. The assessment of the cumulative effects of development will be tackled as will the identification of attempts to segment a development into various smaller applications in order to avoid going through an EIA. Session 6. Environmental impact in practice – Role play from existing case studies. A session on case history of relevant development permit applications, context studies and impact mitigation from an environmental perspective. A role-play class exercise on developments with major environmental impacts shall be included in the session. These key sessions will be followed by two student presentation sessions and debates on topics related to the reading of a development proposal, its interpretation, knowledge of relevant planning policies, identification and articulation of impacts, stakeholder management and articulation of the representation. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of the study-unit are twofold. Firstly, the training shall be held so that case officers within ERA strengthen their interpretation abilities in matters that relate to development projects and the development control process; Secondly, through the study-unit the Department for Spatial Planning and Infrastructure shall set up collaboration pathways that can be used to better align the subject matter taught to practical industry requirements. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Differentiate between the different stages of the development planning process; - Appraise the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure within the development planning process; - Identify environmentally and resource efficient design solutions. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate map reading and interpretation skills; - Interpret development related plans and proposals; - Present and debate topics related to environmental planning. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Clarke, K. C., Johnson, J. M., & Trainor, T. (2019). Contemporary American cartographic research: A review and prospective. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 46(3), 196-209. - I.E.M.A, & Landscape Institute. (2013). Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Taylor and Francis. - Verstappen, H. T. (2011). Old and new trends in geomorphological and landform mapping. Developments in earth surface processes, 15, 13-38. - Zammit, A. (2014). Reshaping our urban environments through street-based design policies – the Maltese experience. International Conference on Public Space and Placemaking, Buenos Aires. 454-473. Supplementary Readings: - Bonnici, E. (2019). The viewscapes of the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery: values and challenges (Master's dissertation). - Buhagiar, V. (2006). Sustainable development and building design in Malta. Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Malta, 1-10. - Lobben, A. K. (2004). Tasks, strategies, and cognitive processes associated with navigational map reading: A review perspective. The Professional Geographer, 56(2), 270-281. - Sladden, V., Zammit, A., Attard Montalto, A., Axiaq, R., Magro Conti, J., Farrugia, J., Zammit, C. (2015). Development control design policy, guidance and standards 2015. Malta: Malta Environment and Planning Authority. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: MQF 4 degree in a related subject | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Antoine Gatt Paul Gauci Wendy-Jo Mifsud Antoine Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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