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Module

TCP8954 : Housing and Settlements

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Raymond Abdulai
  • Lecturer: Dr Cat Button
  • Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To explore the relationships between planning, settlements and housing developments worldwide.
To consider different housing types and provision globally.
To identify the reasons for the lack of affordable housing.
To highlight the role of informal development in the provision of affordable housing.
To explore approached to pro-poor housing settlement upgrading and relocation.
To introduce the students to different settlement planning and upgrading approaches.

The most pressing problems facing cities are those brought about by rapidly increased demand for affordable housing, failure of the housing supply systems and resulting sprawling informal settlements. There are between 100 million and one billion people classed as homeless in the world, a vast number of whom as a result of their abjectly inadequate housing. However, despite the international pressure to address the problem of inadequate housing, governments seem unable to either stimulate affordable housing supply at scale or improve existing informal housing. This module explores the role of planning in supporting the development and improvement of housing, especially for low income groups.

The students demonstrate their learning by creating a report on the housing in a city of their choice. This report considers the housing supply and what needs there are, and then suggests housing or planning policy to address this issue.

Outline Of Syllabus

What is housing? (and housing types)
Housing need
Homelessness
Policy options (including upgrading and relocation)
Construction and infrastructure
Land for Housing
Housing Supply
Finance
Housing in the news and links to current issues
Assignment support

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00Lectures that will introduce the ideas.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00Writing the report
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading137:0037:00To support discussions and development of the assignment. Tasks set in other sessions.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops111:0011:00Discussion sessions based on the topic of the week.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00To support development of the assignment
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module will be introduced in a live session module talk/lecture. The recorded lecture materials will introduce students to the key concepts and knowledge of housing and settlements. Discussions and activities will support the and develop learning building on the week’s focus. These are followed by surgeries or tutorials to help students prepare for their assignments.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2A100Evaluation of the housing situation in a city of the student’s choice. 2,500 words.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This assessment seeks to test the student’s knowledge of housing and understanding of the role of planning in addressing housing and infrastructure needs, especially in informal settlements. It also assesses the ability to estimate affordability levels and shortfall, and then predict future housing need. It establishes understanding of pro-poor upgrading processes and inclusive policies.

Reading Lists

Timetable