Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Can describe and explain the relationship between the physical land use plans at national, county and municipal levels
• Can describe the hierarchical structure of laws that form the basis for the development of physical land use plans (the Planning and Building Act, regulations and guidelines)
• Can identify environmental/sustainable solutions for land use and infrastructure
• Can give an account of good solutions for land use and road and traffic systems
• Can explain the concept of universal design and describe various solutions that satisfy requirements and needs related to the concept
• Has the basic knowledge of local development, architecture, design and aesthetics that enables the preparation of a local analysis

Skills

The candidate:

• Can interpret physical land use planning qualitatively and propose alternative improvements that represent environmentally friendly and universal solution options
• Can prepare a simple analysis of a site
• Can draw up a development plan/detailed plans using digital planning tools
• Can outline effective solutions for land use and road and traffic systems that help to minimize society’s total transportation needs

General competence

The candidate:

• Has basic knowledge of the laws and regulations that underlie the preparation of physical land use plans
• Is aware of the relationship between, and the special characteristics of, national, regional and municipal plans
• Is able to draw up a development plan/detailed plans that meet basic environmental and universal design requirements
• Is able to participate actively and with critical skills in physical planning processes that affect people’s everyday lives

Course Description

The course provides a basic introduction to the physical land use planning procedures that apply to the AEC sector. It is crucial for construction engineers to have knowledge of the planning hierarchy that forms the basis for the preparation of plans, and be able to view it in context and understand its special characteristics.

The course examines laws and regulations and in particular the Planning and Building Act (PBA) as the legal basis/platform for building projects. The course also focuses on relevant regulations and rules and other relevant circulars and guidelines issued by state, county and municipality authorities. The regulatory requirements pertaining to noise in land use planning will also be addressed. Land use planning provides the background for the generation of transportation in our society and the links between physical land use planning, transportation needs and road and traffic issues are therefore important topics.

Legislation requirements for environmentally friendly and universal solutions are also taken into account, since the course focuses on sustainable solutions that facilitate efficient use, energy saving solutions and universal design. Local development, architecture and design are also discussed.

The project assignment that is included in the course will enable the student to contribute actively in the preparation of a development plan/detailed plan, that will deal with the premises of planning and the production of a digital plan (in which using digital planning tools will be a high priority).

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, exercises, and a project assignment that includes a detailed regulation and development of a residential area (preferably in Porsgrunn municipality). The project is an obligatory group assignment and must be submitted before the student will be permitted to sit the final examination.

Excursions and field studies will be carried out in connection with the project.

Assessment Methods

The course grade will be based on:

Continuous assessment: Project with a group grade (weighted 40%)

Final examination: Written examination with individual grade (weighted 60%).

Students must pass the final examination in order to pass the course.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean