This module examines the form, structure, outcome and ongoing evolution of environmental policy and planning, focusing on a UK and European context. Particular attention is paid to the new agendas and approaches employed often in response to perceived problems with traditional methods under a number of key themes: the sustainable development agenda and environmental planning, dealing with environmental risks, the use and application of prevention and precautionary principles, new approaches to public participation in environmental and risk management. Key topics considered are, for example, environmental risks and social change, hazardous technologies and ways of dealing with them, transforming governance for sustainable use and management of natural resources, innovatory tools in environmental and risk management (public information and participation, the use of impact assessment at project and programme levels), managing urban environmental problems (air pollution and waste), the role of local actions for sustainability and community action, the development of `environmental justice' as a focus for social and environmental action.

(a) A two hour examination (50%) consisting of a one hour short answer section and a one hour essay answer to be chosen from a list of titles [Learning outcomes 1 - 3]

(b) group workshop project (50%) - (each individual contributes equivalent of 1250 - 1500 words to project document) to demonstrate application of principles of EIA to a development proposal case study; a particular focus will be the scoping of environmental impacts [Learning outcomes 1,3, 4]

Additional Assessment Details:
Formative Assessment:
The workshops will provide students with the opportunity to discuss their project ideas with both the module tutors and their peers and allow them to self-evaluate their understanding of module materials. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to receive feedback on their report plans

University Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities

Beder, S. (2006) Environmental Principles and Policies: an interdisciplinary approach. Earthscan
Blowers, A. & Evans, B. (1997) Town Planning into the 21st. Century. Routledge
Gouldson A and Murphy J (1998) Regulatory realities: the implementation and impact of industrial environmental regulation. Earthscan, London
Layard, A. et al., (2007) Planning for a Sustainable Future. Spon Press
Lowe, P and Ward, S (1998) British Environmental Policy and Europe: politics and policy in transition. Routledge,
Miller, C. ed. (2001) Planning and Environmental Protection. Hart Publishing, Oxford.
Morris, P.& Therivel, R. (2001) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. Routledge
Roberts, J. (2003) Environmental Policy. Routledge

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) weekly 1 hour lectures (10) which will introduce key questions and frameworks for approaching the analysis of environmental policy and planning along with case studies of policy in practice in different settings,
(b) workshops (6) which will take the from of a group-based project work based on applying elements of an environmental assessment and evaluating a planning proposal
(c) independent learning through use of guided reading and web-based resources to support the research and writing of a group report.