SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
108932  Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-02-13  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning is to consolidate knowledge and skills of the Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning graduates as first-level entrant practitioners in the planning profession, to enable them to deal with more broadly defined planning and development problems in more potentially conflictual situations and more specific to interactions between society and space at intermediate spatial scales where solutions partially fall outside standard codes and practices to improve quality of human settlements, communities and economies of urban and regional environments.

Rationale:
The Department of Higher Education and Training has identified the knowledge and skills of urban and regional planners as a 'scarce skill' in South Africa (SA) and therefore this qualification aims to address this critical shortage. Furthermore, it will also contribute to the economic growth and development of SA as defined in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.

The Advanced Diploma (Urban and Regional Planning) substantively replaces the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Degree in Town and Regional planning. The Advanced Diploma offers advanced training in aspects of planning practice that seek to upgrade competencies of assistant planners that hold a Diploma qualification to become registrable as planners by the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). The Advanced Diploma aims to focus on the consolidation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes of Diploma graduates as first-level entrant practitioners in the planning profession (technicians/assistant planner registration candidates) to enable them to deal with more broadly-defined planning and development problems in more potentially conflictual situations.

The graduate should be able to solve broadly-defined planning and development problems with some uncertainty and conflicting constraints by interacting between society and space at intermediate spatial scales where solutions partially fall outside standard codes and practices in response to the emerging more democratic developmental paradigm. These aspects include both competencies for plan making as well as critiquing planning proposal and approaches to stakeholder engagement to improve middle management and leadership competencies in the planning and development function in the public, private and community development sectors.

The focus of the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning is to provide students with advanced knowledge, skills and relevant attributes towards becoming assistant planners who are employed in industry in the following critical areas:
  • Preparation and assessment of planning products for local (neighbourhood) and suburban spatial scales.
  • Planning administration and middle-level leadership and coordination of development planning project teams.
  • Support for planning research and report writing input into making decisions for planning proposals, revision of local policy formulation and development guidelines for specific localised issues. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

    Entry Requirements:
    For admission to the Advanced Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, the prescribed minimum entry requirements aligned with national policies apply as follows:
  • National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning at Level 6 consisting of a minimum of 360 Credits with an average mark of 60% obtained on completion of the third year subjects of this qualification.
    Or
  • Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning at Level 6 consisting of a minimum of 360 Credits with an average mark of 60% obtained on completion of the third year subjects of this qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits:
  • City and Regional Planning Theory 4, 12 Credits.
  • Development Theory 4, 12 Credits.
  • Theories of Planning 4, 12 Credits.
  • Planning Research 4, 12 Credits.
  • Environmental Planning 4, 12 Credits.
  • Planning and Society 4, 12 Credits.
  • Economic Development 4, 12 Credits.
  • City and Regional Development Management 4, 12 Credits.
  • Planning Projects 4 (Studio), 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand the field of Urban and Regional Planning, particularly as practiced in the Global South including South Africa.
    2. Integrate different methods (including geo-spatial technologies) to identify, analyse, evaluate and critically reflect on complex problems.
    3. Develop and communicate well-framed arguments and interact with other professionals, communities and stakeholders in planning processes.
    4. Learn in a self-directed manner, and be accountable for own work.
    5. Apply technology in the analysis of social-economic and environmental conditions and experiences of communities in their spatial contexts to provide insights into their problems and approaches to their collaborative resolution. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the history, evolution and current practice of urban and regional planning in the Global South and South Africa, including applicable legislation and factors influencing the development of urban areas and regions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 2:
  • Distinguish various urban and regional planning tools and research methods; and understand when, when and how those tools and methods could be used to identify, analyse and reflect on complex problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 3:
  • Listen and communicate in written, graphic and mapping forms, and be persuasive in the interactions with other professionals, communities, clients and/or other stakeholders.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 4:
  • Learn in a self-directed manner, and take responsibility for own work and decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 5:
  • Use technology (including Geographic Information System and Computer Aided Design) to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on, and collaboratively resolve socio-economic, spatial and environmental problems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.

    Formative Assessment:
    In this qualification, Formative Assessment will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, quizzes, field trip reports and poster design.

    Summative Assessment:
    In this qualification Summative Assessment will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

    Integrated Assessment in this qualification will take place at the third year of study and students will be assessed holistically by means of project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the Urban and Regional Planning industry. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    It is important to note that internationally, there is no one (1) year urban and regional planning programme that compares with the proposed Advanced Diploma. This is the case because institutions in other parts of Africa offer 4 year Degrees in Urban and Regional Planning. Although not a direct comparison, Advanced Diploma was therefore benchmarked against the 4th year of the BA (Urban and Regional Planning) at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and the BSc (Urban and Regional Planning) at Ardhi University, in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. It would however be inaccurate to compare the entry requirements and exit level outcomes because they pertain to the entire 4 year qualifications, not just the 4th year. The Advanced Diploma is largely comparable to the aforesaid qualification, and the main similarities relate to the following subjects:
  • City and regional development management (CPUT); management techniques (Nairobi); property development and management (Ardhi).
  • Development theory (CPUT); regional development theory (Nairobi).
  • Planning research 4 (CPUT); planning research project (Nairobi).
  • Planning projects 4, studio (CPUT); regional planning studio project 1 (Nairobi); project planning and management studio (Ardhi).

    The proposed Advanced Diploma offers other subjects that are not covered by Nairobi and Ardhi, namely planning and society, theories of planning, environmental planning and economic development. It can therefore be argued that the proposed Advanced Diploma has more breadth that the 4th year of the Degrees offered by Nairobi and Ardhi. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Architecture, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Honours, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.