Planning Seminar

Code:

MPPU007

Acronym:

SP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Spatial Planning and Urbanism

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://sigarra.up.pt/feup/pt/ucurr_adm.ficha_uc_edit?pv_ocorrencia_id=388437#tab1
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Spatial Planning and Urban Project

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MPPU	24	Syllabus since 2011/12	1	-	6	45,5	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to:

1. Identify and analyze contemporary urban planning challenges by examining their causes, impacts, and the key debates surrounding them.
2. Develop critical thinking skills by engaging with different perspectives on complex urban issues.
3. Enhance research and presentation abilities through the preparation and delivery of a seminar on a selected planning challenge.
4. Strengthen debate moderation skills by facilitating structured discussions and encouraging constructive dialogue among peers.
5. Connect theoretical knowledge with real-world planning dilemmas to understand the implications of emerging trends and policy decisions.
6. Foster interdisciplinary perspectives by integrating insights from various fields relevant to urban planning, such as sustainability, mobility, governance, and digital transformation.
7. Improve argumentation and communication skills by articulating well-founded positions and engaging in evidence-based discussions.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Critically assess contemporary urban planning challenges, recognizing their complexity and multi-dimensional impacts.
• Synthesize and communicate key urban planning debates, demonstrating a deep understanding of theoretical and practical dimensions.
• Conduct independent research on an emerging urban issue, identifying relevant sources and formulating evidence-based arguments.
• Effectively structure and deliver a seminar presentation, clearly articulating key issues and fostering informed discussions.
• Moderate debates and discussions, encouraging diverse viewpoints and ensuring productive dialogue.
• Reflect on the role of planners in addressing contemporary urban challenges and contributing to more sustainable and inclusive cities.

Students will develop the following competences:

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to deconstruct complex urban issues, assess different viewpoints, and evaluate policy implications.
• Research Skills: Capacity to conduct independent research, critically assess sources, and synthesize relevant information.
• Communication and Argumentation: Development of clear communication skills in an academic and professional setting.
• Moderation and Facilitation: Ability to lead discussions, manage diverse perspectives, and encourage constructive debates.
• Collaborative Engagement: Skills to engage in meaningful dialogue, respect differing opinions, and contribute to collective learning.

Working method

Presencial

Program

This course is structured as a seminar, a format designed to foster critical discussion, independent research, and active student engagement. As a seminar course it emphasizes debate, collaborative learning, and the exchange of ideas on contemporary urban planning challenges. Students are expected to take an active role in shaping discussions by preparing and delivering presentations, critically engaging with academic and policy literature, and moderating structured debates. This format encourages interdisciplinary thinking, analytical reasoning, and the ability to articulate and defend positions on complex planning issues. Through research, discussion, and debate, students will deepen their understanding of the forces shaping urban development and strengthen their ability to contribute to professional and academic planning discourse.

Debate will be encouraged on a number of contemporary challenges to urban planning, benefiting from the input of different stakeholders, including renowned scientist, academics and planning practitioners. Critical thinking will further be encouraged by adding contemporary emerging disruptive narratives in urban planning. The contemporary challenges seminars include themes on urban design, housing crises, justice, public participation and the future of planning profession. The disruptive narrative seminar include themes on, planning for proximity, Sustainable Transitions and Post-Growth.

Mandatory literature

Henri Lipmanowicz, Keith McCandless; The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation , Liberating Structures Press, 2014, 2013. ISBN: 0615975305 (Available online: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/)

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching-learning method will use critical discussion and project-based learning. For the critical discussion the classes will involve multiple relevant stakeholders, including renowned scientists, academics and planning professionals. These will raise several contemporary challenges in urban planning. Students will be actively involved in the critical discussion of the subjects raised by the invited stakeholders. In parallel, students will develop a seminar in groups exploring a contemporary challenge of their choice (and approved) and preparing a critical discussion workshop to be developed with their peers. During this project, students will collect evidence for the current debate on the contemporary challenge they have selected and explore the legitimacy of different sources (scientific and grey literature, media and social media). Evidence will be used to build a balanced argument exposing the current discussion. Students will also explore workshop techniques to be used in their project.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	70,00
Participação presencial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho de investigação	40,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Elaboração de projeto	40,00
Total:	152,00

Eligibility for exams

The general regulations of the University of Porto are to be followed, considering a maximum of 25% of absences. Working Students are exempted from these requirements.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation components:

• A: (10%) Attendance in classes: 2 points (% attendance)


• B: (20%) Participation in class debates: 4 points (best of 4 classes)


• C: (70%) Assignment: 14 points - Mandatory Component

Final Classification CF = CF = 0.1*A + 0.2*B + 0.7*C

Note: failing to comply with mandatory components leads to failing the unit (for lack of component). This includes failing to comply with the dealines and conditions for submission of the component.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Special Evaluation (TE, DA, etc..) follows the provisions of General Regulation of Student Special Evaluation.

Classification improvement

Improvement of Final Results - The improvement of final results may occur through a written examination at the appropriate time of evaluation for these cases or, alternatively, through an oral examination if the alternative is agreed with the Teachers and the students.