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: 

Master of Urban and Regional Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97236  Master of Urban and Regional Planning 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Upon completion learners will be able to:
  • Apply an overall understanding of how cities work as instruments of social and economic networks and what the data and research requirements are to create the kinds of data bases that are necessary for informed decision making and planning at the local, provincial and national levels of government.
  • Have an advanced applied knowledge of the social and economic networking of individuals and groups within private and public urban space as it manifests at different levels of urban spatial aggregation and the outcomes of the different kinds of networking measured in terms of internationally acceptable forms of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
  • Have knowledge of the spectrum of spatial social and economic urban and regional planning problems that could occur as part of the dynamism of urban systems, the negative influences that they may have on the quality of people's lives, and ways in which resulting challenges are addressed in planning best practices in different parts of the world.
  • Have knowledge of options that are available for the planning and execution of service provision in the urban environment and creative ways in which it could be expanded or improved.
  • Have knowledge of urban and regional planning and management instruments and their application in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
  • Possess skills to identify and apply appropriate planning and research methodologies when analysing different elements of human activities within the urban environment and the ability to correctly judge what the data requirements are for such analyses.
  • Master the skill of application of a variety of geographical analysis techniques available for socio-economic planning analysis with emphasis on GIS as an applications tool in decision-making.
  • Develop the skills to critically evaluate communication - oral or in printed format - and to utilise modern electronic hard- and software as instruments of communication in this qualification.
  • Develop a value system that will facilitate the appropriate and balanced use of knowledge in the solving of development problems in urban and regional planning systems.

    Rationale:
    Based on the general need that was expressed by the public sector, Statistics South Africa has approached the University to develop a Master's qualification that is specifically designed to equip appropriately qualified public officials at the local, provincial and national levels of government in the area of systematic urban and regional analysis, policy making and planning. The Master's planning qualification does not aim to replicate but rather to create a supplementary qualification at Postgraduate level. In terms of the brief the qualification is designed to equip public officials with the right kinds of practical analytical expertise to enable them to dissect, interpret and plan urban and regional networks. A knowledge gap is covered in the qualification that is not covered by existing taught postgraduate planning qualification that are on offer at this or any other university in the country. It provides specialised analytical knowledge to professionals that are working in the field of urban and regional planning at different levels of spatial aggregation, from intra-urban through local, regional and national to international. People who are qualified as urban and regional or development planners, as well as learners that have obtained an Honours degree in geography, public management, economics, statistics or mathematics could benefit from this qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The University's official Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be rigorously followed if needed but the Department intends to identify learners that are suitably equipped to successfully complete the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    Admission requirements are an NQF Level 8 Professional Bachelors Degree in Planning or Engineering or an Honours Degree with Geography, Economics, Public Administration, Statistics or Mathematics as the major. The ARPL route may be employed to broaden access beyond these requirements. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:
  • Human Network Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • Economic Network Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • Urban Infrastructure Network Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • Urban Form and Structure Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • Urban Systems Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • Research Assignment, 10 Credits.
  • Statistical Urban Analysis, 10 Credits.
  • GIS - Urban Systems Applications, 10 Credits.
  • Planning Legislation, 10 Credits.
  • Planning Theory, 10 Credits.
  • Land Use Management Practice, 10 Credits.
  • Planning Design, 10 Credits.
  • Urban Management Processes, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply an understanding of how cities work as instruments of social and economic networks.
    2. Show advanced applied knowledge of the social and economic networking of individuals and groups within private and public urban space as it manifests at different levels of urban spatial aggregation and the outcomes of the different kinds of networking measured in terms of internationally acceptable forms of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
    3. Apply knowledge of the spectrum of spatial social and economic urban and regional planning problems that could occur as part of the dynamism of urban systems.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of urban and regional planning and management instruments and their application in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
    5. Master the skill of application of a variety of geographical analysis techniques available for socio-economic planning analysis with emphasis on GIS as an applications tool in decision-making.
    6. Explain relevant planning legislation, policies and strategies influencing the management of various urban networks and processes.
    7. Identify and apply appropriate planning and research methodologies when analysing different elements of human activities within the urban environment and to correctly judge what the data requirements are for such analyses are. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The rationality of different elements of the city is explained.
  • The role of personal space in the functioning and evolution of cities is outlined.
  • The role of group dynamics in cities and how they affect urban planning are appropriately specified.
  • The dynamics of mobility transition are critically distinguished between different explanations of migration.
  • The dynamics of international labour migration and their impact on the spatial, social and economic problems that urban settlements face in different parts of the world are outlined.
  • General knowledge of migration trends and migration policies in different parts of the world analysed.
  • Knowledge of the differences between the composition and functioning of urban systems in the Developed and Developing Worlds is applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Issues revolving around urban land use regulation, land value, housing markets, hedonic pricing and welfare economics are identified and addressed.
  • Various land use management processes and tools for the execution of standard planning activities are explained.
  • Perception on the impact of globalisation on economic and social space internationally and locally is analysed.
  • Concepts such as colonialism, new-colonialism, fordism, post-fordism, and post-industrialism and their impact on developed, newly industrialised and developing societies are understood.
  • Practical understanding of the spatial and structural relationships between industry, commerce and services within the formal and informal business sector nationally and within cities in the North, South, Africa and South Africa is demonstrated.
  • The relationship between spatial inequality, skills, over urbanisation, unemployment, underemployment and misemployment in South Africa are studied and outlined in detailed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Various types of and interaction between urban infrastructure networks are analysed.
  • The relationship between urban infrastructure and urban form and structure is outlined.
  • Knowledge of urban housing types, processes, and spatial distribution and change is used.
  • Broad perspective of transport networks, modes, its impact on urban form and functioning, and responses to transport challenges are analysed.
  • Knowledge of urban civil services (e.g. water, sanitation, electricity, etc) and its influence on urban form and structure is applied.
  • A perspective on Information and Communication Technology in urban systems is used and its impact on the form and functioning of urban systems is acknowledged.
  • Knowledge of the information and data requirements to support the planning and management of urban infrastructure networks is applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Various urban management processes and tools for guiding the interrelated components of urban spatial networks are applied.
  • Policies and strategies influencing the management of various urban networks and processes are implemented.
  • Broad perspective on policies, strategies and tools/techniques for management and guidance of human networks in urban systems and its rural hinterlands are implemented.
  • Concepts of urban ecological networks and sustainability, and strategies and management processes for guiding urban ecological processes are developed.
  • Knowledge of the different urban management processes and tools are applied at municipal, provincial, national, sub-continental, continental and global scales.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Understanding geographical data forms, their functions and purposes is applied.
  • Elementary statistical concepts are explained and practically applied and descriptive statistics are calculated.
  • Data is analysed by means of comparisons, contrasts, similarities, relationships and dimensions, using appropriate software.
  • Theoretical and practical understanding of various methods of statistical analysis is demonstrated.
  • Appropriate methods of statistical analysis for application to specific scenarios within the discipline of urban and regional science are identified.
  • Statistical concepts and analysis are presented and explained with appropriate graphical techniques and presentations.
  • Basic understanding of GIS theory, map projections and coordinate systems is demonstrated.
  • An understanding of appropriate spatial data management principles and practices is demonstrated.
  • Maps are generated using GIS software and appropriate GIS applications and spatial analysis tools are used in the context of urban and regional systems analysis.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The role of different role players in the urban and regional planning field and the role of the planner in these activities are explained.
  • The appropriate role of quantitative and qualitative techniques in planning and planning research in the guidance of urban development processes are outlined.
  • The concepts of urban ecological networks and sustainability, and strategies and management processes for guiding urban ecological processes are explained.
  • Different urban management processes and tools applied at municipal, provincial, national, sub-continental, continental and global scales are made explicit.
  • The need and advantages of the integrated development process are drawn.
  • Knowledge of the purpose of and need for project management in urban and regional planning is demonstrated.
  • The impact of policies and strategies on project management approaches are explained.
  • Explain the importance and performance of contract administration, compilation and administration of business plans are explained.
  • Tenders and tender processes are explained and analysed.
  • The potential impact of legislation on the South African society and of urban and regional management processes at the local, regional, provincial and national levels of decision making is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Design of research projects is explained and the appropriate aims and goals for desired outcomes in urban and regional planning formulated.
  • Problems worth investigating are identified and creative ways of solving those problems found.
  • Worthwhile applications of the research results in practice are found and the results are effectively disseminated and communicated to the end-user.
  • Research is independently conducted, evaluated and applied.
  • Assessment of appropriate academic and practical standards applicable to the research project, the most appropriate research methodologies that are required to analyse different elements of the research topic at hand, appropriate data requirements, and the availability of the data in appropriate formats for the study are explained.
  • A research report is written.
  • The writing and composition of a scientific journal paper is explained.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Tests and Assignments:
    In each 10 credit module, an one hour prepared test, a presentation of the learner on an assigned topic that ties in thematically with the module content, an assignment of not more than 2000 words and a three hour examination will be used to assess the learners' mastery of the contents and its value.

    All three marks contribute to the final summative mark, but the first test also acts as diagnostic tool to identify knowledge gaps, and formative comments are provided with the marking of the assignments.
    Experiential learning and the integration of real-world scenarios with the theory will be assessed through the above-mentioned tests and assignments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Master of Urban and Regional Planning - Portland State University, USA:
    The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) is designed for those interested in working as professional planners. The curriculum includes a module that focuses on the history and theory of planning as a field, plan implementation, analytical methods (including Geographic Information Systems [GIS]), and the dynamics of metropolitan development.

    The qualification offers five specialisations:
  • Community Development.
  • Environment.
  • Land Use.
  • Transportation.
  • Regional Economic Development.

    The remaining credits are taken as electives or as a second specialisation.

    During the qualification learners work in groups on community-based, client-focused workshop projects and this provides them with an opportunity to form teams to work on projects for community clients, and to produce a professional product by the end of the term.

    Experiential learning is an integral component of the qualification. The qualification requires 400 hours of internship experience. Internships in the Portland region are plentiful and varied, and include opportunities such as working with Metro's state-of-the-art transportation planning model, with a non-profit community development corporation to revitalise neighbourhoods, or with a bi-state agency to implement the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Act.

    Learners can transfer up to 24 credits of course work taken at another university or at PSU prior to admission, provided that the courses were taken within seven years of completion of the MURP qualification.

    Master of Urban and Regional Planning - Michigan State University, USA:
    The qualification leading to a degree of Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) is committed to preparing learners for professional planning careers in both the private and public sectors and seeks to develop both general planning knowledge and specific skills for practice. Current faculty research and teaching expertise covers a wide range of planning subjects including urban design; land use planning; land use law; housing; community, economic and real estate development; research methods; international development; transportation; environmental planning; and public policy. The MURP degree is a nationally accredited degree and admits learners with a variety of academic backgrounds. Ideal the qualification provides learners with strong intellectual ability; good written and verbal communication skills; basic statistical methods and can demonstrate a proven potential for leadership in the field of urban and regional planning.

    A learner entering the qualification in urban and regional planning is expected to concentrate, under faculty guidance, on studies that provide an optimum learning experience in applying the various principles, theories, techniques, and design skills of planning to specific field problems. Unlike undergraduates, whose studies are divided between liberal education and technical studies, the graduate learner is immersed in significant planning studies and research. The qualification is designed to provide professional competence. After graduation, the learner should be capable of assuming responsibilities on an intermediate level of a professional planning operation. The Master's qualification in Urban and Regional Planning has been accredited by the American Planning Association.

    Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in Scotland offers a Urban and Regional Planning Master of Science. This involves promoting and facilitating development while protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment. This qualification is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work as a professional planner. Learners will develop the ability to ask the right questions and find creative solutions to the challenges facing communities and the built environment. The Master of Science gives full exemption from all the educational requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). On completion many of the learners find employment in planning with a variety of employers, for example in local and central government, environmental and development agencies, private sector consultants and developers.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with the sited international qualifications in terms of outcomes and focus. The qualification include a research project that learners will complete as part of the requirement to graduate as professional. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontally:
    The Master of Urban and Regional Planning provides further study opportunities to a professional urban and regional or development planning Bachelors' Degree, a development planning Degree issued at the Masters level in the same or similar field of study:
  • Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning in Development Planning.
  • Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning in Environmental Planning.

    Vertically:
    The Master's qualification provides access to a Doctor of Philosophy qualification with the logical extension of outcomes at the higher level:
  • Doctor of Urban and Regional Planning. 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.