APL240 Environment and Planning, Part 1

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Synne Movik, Guri Dyrset

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:165

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:125 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course runs in the spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in the spring parallel, .

About this course

The course provides an introduction to the Norwegian planning system in accordance with the Planning and Building Act 2008. The students are introduced to the planning system, the relevant legal frameworks, planning processes, and planning tools such as Environmental Impact Assessments. The course covers municipal, regional (county-level) and national planning functions, and key themes are processes, participation and knowledge. In particular, the course emphasises how spatial planning is used to achieve environmental policy goals at local and regional levels, what roles different types of actors play and how participation and power relations shape planning practices. Key ideas in environmental planning, such as ‘integrated’ and ‘holistic’ planning will be discussed, and attention will also be paid to what kinds of and how knowledge is produced and drawn on in planning. Real-life examples will be used to illustrated key issues and conflicts in planning related to biodiversity, landscapes, recreation, coastal zones and mountainous areas, as well as water governance, planning for improved public health and how planning can help tackle the challenges of climate change. The course is taught by a variety of people with different backgrounds, including researchers and practitioners.

Learning outcome

At the end of the course, students should:

  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Norwegian planning system
  • Be able to explain key frameworks and national, regional and local guidelines for spatial planning practices relating to the environment and natural resource governance in Norway
  • Be able to describe local and regional planning processes, the different roles of diverse actors involved in planning, and opportunities and constraints for participation
  • Demonstrate a good grasp of key concepts in environmental planning, and how politics and knowledge influence planning practices.
  • .Lectures, group exercises, role plays.
  • Lectures and supervision.
  • Written exam, 3.5 hours.
  • External examiner.
  • The course runs parallel with APL241, and students have the opportunity to follow both courses within the same spring parallel.
  • Structured teaching: 28 hours
  • MSc Public Health, 3rd year BSc-students in Renewable Energy (INA), MSc Natural Resources Management, MSc in Landscape Architecture and MSc in Urban and Regional Planning.
  • Letter grades
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)