Pilot GCSE: Option 5 - Planning where we live
Wherever we live, we are all affected by changes in the use of land and buildings. Such changes impact upon our homes, our places of work, our leisure activities and the pleasure and level of well being we gain from our surroundings. In this sense the planning system is of immediate relevance to us all, aiming as it does to balance the demands of the economy for development against the social and environmental impacts of those developments. The purpose of this unit, prepared by Diane Swift (GA) with Peter Wright (Birmingham Planning Department), is to teach about the purpose and effects of planning.
This is a ‘predominantly vocational’ unit, which also demands a sound geographical knowledge and understanding, with a strong focus on the citizenship skills of critical enquiry, experiential learning and values analysis.
Information on the context, content and concepts underpinning this unit is followed by assessment objectives, ways of planning content (with an associated planning grid). Links to other units are also identified.
Download the full Planning Where We Live unit together with its associated planning grid using the links below.
Resources
A good source of easy to read and free material can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG) set out the government’s stance on a range of planning issues. The general introductory note sets out the purpose of planning. PPGS are to be replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPS). PPS1 (Planning for Sustainable Communities) is a good introduction to sustainability and planning.
A unit based on using the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Education for Sustainable Development - A manual for schools is available here. This booklet was sent free to all schools (can also be obtained from RTPI, 41 Botolph Lane, London EC3R 8DL).
The following websites and information will also be of help: - Calderdale Local Government
- includes an A-Z of planning and national news link to planning items
Planning Portal - national planning matters, planning processes, applications and appeals as well as careers advice
CABE - presents case studies from a variety of perspectives. CABE Education offers free resources and materials (see also Living Futures)
RTPI - an excellent website for this unit - particularly for exploring jobs and roles in planning as well as providing teaching and learning materials. Branch resources include: Checking the Health of Town Centres (Wales Branch), Environmental Education - How Planners Can Help You. (North West Branch), Planning for Sustainability - Environmental education in action (South West Branch (GA Gold Award winner 2002)) contains 12 case studies of recent planning and environmental issues in the south west, many of which are applicable across the UK, and Plan Your Planet in 2002 (Southern Branch) - distributed to all state schools in the Southern Region.
DEFRA - the Farm Planning section is essential for accessing different views and perspectives beyond government and its agencies
Planning Offices aimed at senior planning officer and useful for exploring roles and responsibilities within the planning framework
Countryside Agency - useful in considering rural sustainable communities and such notions as virtual villages <<< Back to Optional Units
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