UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI

SENATE

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Planning

(BSc. URP)

Proposed Start Date: August 2021

The Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Planning

Copy for the Stakeholders

July 2019
ABREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS

AASPS Association of African Planning Schools

AESAP Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Allied Professionals
BOLESWA Botswana Lesotho and Swaziland
B.Sc. Bachelor of Science
BSc.URP Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
CELT Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching
CIC Construction Industry Council Eswatini
CSO Central Statistics Office
EEA Eswatini Environment Authority
EEC Eswatini Electricity Company
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
ENTC Eswatini National Trust Commission
ESWADE Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise
EWSC Eswatini Water Services Corporation
FOSE Faculty of Science & Engineering
FOSS Faculty of Social Sciences
GEP Geography, Environmental Science and Planning
GIS Geographic Information Systems
IDE Institute of Distance Education
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MoH Ministry of Health
M.Sc. Master of Science
MTEA Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs
NDS National Development Strategy
NDMA National Disaster Management Agency
NDS National Development Strategy
NGOs Non-government Organisations
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy
RSSC Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation
RSTP Royal Science and Technology Park
RTPI Royal Town Planning Institute
SAAES Swaziland Association of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors
SADC Southern African Development Community
SACPLAN South African Council for Planners
UNESWA University of Eswatini
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UPIAC University Planning and Institutional Advancement Centre

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 PROPOSAL TO OFFER BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMME IN
URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (BSc. URP) WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND PLANNING
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rapid urbanization in countries of the Global South and in sub-Saharan African region, in particular,
has been viewed as the defining feature of the 21st century, a double-edged sword with both negative
and positive impacts. Urbanization influences economic growth but at the same time it leads to rising
inequalities and instabilities of all kinds. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the least urbanized region in the
World but the rate of urbanization exceeds that of other regions. African cities and towns are currently
contending with a multiplicity of challenges, which include amongst others attracting investment,
addressing urban poverty, fighting crime and improving safety and security, creating jobs and
opportunities, protecting the environment, providing housing, improving transportation services, and
providing essential social services such as education, water, sanitation, health and energy sources.

This document presents a proposal by the Department of Geography, Environmental Science and
Planning (GEP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Eswatini, to offer a Bachelor of
Science in Urban and Regional Planning (BSc. URP) programme. The overall purpose of urban and
regional planning is to improve the living conditions and well-being of people and also to enhance the
functionality and prosperity of settlements. This crucial role and significance of the urban and
regional planning profession is increasingly recognized by international organizations such the United
Nations (UN-Habitat), the World Bank, African Union and African Development Bank. This
proposed BSc. URP programme is in line with the New Urban Agenda (United Nations General
Assembly Resolution 71/256) and is informed by Sustainable Development Goals, particularly
Goal 11 that seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Through this programme, the GEP Department is aimed at producing professional urban and regional
planners who are creative and innovative critical thinkers in their approach towards addressing
pressing development challenges. Urban and regional planning is a professional field, which adheres
to certain professional standards and codes of practice. In benchmarking for this programme,
reference was made to the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), a statutory council
responsible for regulating the planning profession in South Africa. Informed by the SACPLAN
guidelines for competencies and standards for curricula development, planning curricula from five
member universities of the Association of African Planning Schools, from the three sub-regions of
sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Africa (University of Pretoria, North-West University, and University
of Botswana); West Africa (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology); and East Africa
(University of Nairobi), were considered in the benchmarking exercise. This programme adopts a
multidisciplinary approach with courses drawn from a wide range of established disciplines.
It will be offered in three formats, namely; as a full-time single major programme for students
registered with the Faculty of Science and Engineering; as a major in a combined degree
(major/major) programme for students registered with the Faculty of Social Sciences; and as a part-
time single major degree programme for students registered with the Institute of Distance Education.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................................... i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................. iii
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................................... iv
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1
2. JUSTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1 The UNESWA Repackaged Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021 .......................................................... 4
2.2 Lack of relevance on current planning programmes to African context ................................ 4
2.3 Programme not offered in the country .................................................................................. 5
2.4 The Need Expressed on National Policies ............................................................................... 5
2.5 The legal and institutional context of planning in Eswatini .................................................... 6
2.6 Job Opportunities.................................................................................................................... 7
3. BENCHMARKING OF THE BSc. URP DEGREE ................................................................................... 8
4. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................... 21
4.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 21
4.2 Objectives.............................................................................................................................. 21
5. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME ............................................................................................... 22
6.1 Course Structure ................................................................................................................... 22
6.1.1 Option A: Single Major – Full-time Option.................................................................... 22
6.1.2 Option B: Major – Social Sciences Option ..................................................................... 25
6.1.3 Option C: Single Major – Part-time Option ................................................................... 30
5.2 Course Descriptions .............................................................................................................. 35
5.2.1 Proposed URP Courses .................................................................................................. 35
5.2.2 Existing and Proposed GEP Courses .............................................................................. 42
5.2.3 Existing Courses from other Departments.................................................................... 46
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 48

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 LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: The three sets of competencies for planning professional in South Africa............................. 12
Table 2: Benchmarking of courses in the proposed BSc in Urban and Regional Planning programme
against the SACPLAN framework of competencies and courses offered in five AASPS member
universities ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Table 3: The total number of courses to be offered under the BSc. URP programme.......................... 19
Table 4: The existing and proposed courses from the GEP Department offered to FOSS students ..... 26

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 1. INTRODUCTION
The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) has been evolving since its establishment. One of the
core objectives of the Repackaged Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021 is to grow by enhanced
diversification of academic programmes offered. The Department of Geography,
Environmental Science and Planning (GEP), under the Faculty of Science and Engineering at
the Kwaluseni Campus, proposes to offer a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional
Planning (BSc. URP) programme. By introducing the BSc. URP programme, students will
have an option of pursuing a professional qualification that addresses contemporary
challenges confronting humanity. This programme is timely, given that the Kingdom of
Eswatini, like most developing countries, is currently embarking on structural and public
policy reforms to foster inclusive growth (Khan & Sigamani, 2011). When launching the
Government of Eswatini Strategic Roadmap 2019-2023, on Monday 13 May 2019, the Prime
Minister, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini emphasized that:

“His Majesty King Mswati III commanded us to come with strategies and ideas that: „will
turn our challenges into great economic opportunities‟. These challenges include
unemployment, poverty, sustainable economic development, provision of quality health
services, education and social welfare for all Emaswati” (The Prime Minister, 2019).

The introduction of BSc. URP is in line with this call by His Majesty King Mswati III. All the
challenges outlined by the Prime Minister are linked to recent trends in urbanization. Rapid
urbanization in countries of the Global South and in sub-Saharan African region, in
particular, has been viewed as the defining feature of the 21st century (Hommann & Lall,
2019; Parnell & Pieterse, 2014; Tevera & Matondo, 2010). Although sub-Saharan Africa
remains the least urbanized region in the World, rate of urbanization exceeds that of other
regions. Sub-Saharan Africa‟s urban population doubled since the mid-1990s, reaching
almost 400 million in 2016 (Hommann & Lall, 2019, pg, 1). The share of urban population
rose from 31 percent in 2000 to 40 percent in 2017 (ibi). Southern Africa, the most urbanized
region in sub-Saharan Africa, is projected to reach an overall region-wide urban majority
around the end of the current decade (UN-Habitat, 2014). There are many factors driving
population change in developing countries, but the main driver of urbanization in su-Saharan
Africa continues to be rural-urban migration (Tevera & Zamberia, 2010).

Urbanization is integrally connected to the three pillars of sustainable development:

economic development, social development and environmental protection (United Nations,
2014). Unfortunately, urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa has simply not provided the same
economic growth experienced by other regions of the world (Hommann & Lall, 2019; Tevera
& Zamberia, 2010). The pace with which the African urban revolution is unfolding and its
consequences are difficult to pinpoint and predict (Duminy, Odendaal & Watson, 2014, pg.
184). However, African cities and towns are currently contending with a multiplicity of
challenges, which include amongst others attracting investment, addressing urban poverty,
fighting crime and improving safety and security, creating jobs and opportunities, protecting
the environment, providing housing, improving transportation services, and providing

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essential social services such as education, water, sanitation, health and energy sources. In its
2013 report titled „Planning, Connecting, and Financing Cities Now: Priorities for City
Leaders‟, the World Bank notes that:

“But today, cities are growing at an unprecedented and challenging speed. City leaders are
concerned about creating jobs and making their cities competitive. They also worry about the
quality of life for citizens and how cities can lower their carbon trajectories” (World Bank,
2013, pg. 1).

The Kingdom of Eswatini, like other sub-Saharan African countries, is also faced with the
same situation of rapid urbanization, accompanied by a sluggish economic growth. Eswatini
has witnessed a period of rapid urban growth since independence in 1968, but it still remains
one of the least urbanized countries in Southern Africa (Tevera & Zamberia, 2010, pg.277).
The preliminary results of the 2017 population and housing census reveal that Manzini region
and Hhohho region, where the two cities of Manzini and Mbabane are located, contribute
32.6% and 29.3% respectively to the country‟s population (Central Statistics Office, 2017).
Both these regions are centres of economic activities and therefore, attract persons in the
working age-group 15-64. However, Tevera and Zamberia (2010, pg. 278) state that “since
the late-1990s, rapid growth has been attributed to informal, unplanned, unserviced, and
uncontrolled areas in the Mbabane-Matsapha-Manzini corridor”. This situation is not unique
to Eswatini, but is a common reality across all sub-Saharan African countries. It is in this
context that the crucial role and significance of the urban and regional planning profession is
increasingly recognized by international organizations such the United Nations (UN-Habitat),
the World Bank, African Union and African Development Bank, to name a few.

The World Bank has published several reports on a wide range of issues pertinent to urban
and regional planning. The World Bank‟s 2019 commissioned report titled “Which Way to
Livable and Productive Cities? A Road Map for Sub-Saharan Africa” presents the complexity
and challenges unique to sub-Saharan Africa‟s urbanization. The authors of this report make
compelling policy recommendations to address the challenges of rapid urbanization as well as
capitalize on the opportunities it creates. Noteworthy here is the recommendation that:

“Planning is needed across the urban space, in the smaller towns to avoid the damage from
encroachment and the urban sprawl already inflicted on larger cities, and in the larger cities to
use land better by making cities denser and better connected, better serviced, and better
functioning (Hommann & Lall, 2019, pg, xi).”

The African Development Bank has launched the Urban and Municipal Development Fund
(UMDF), a multi-donor trust fund to scale up interventions in urban development and drive
sustainable growth in cities across the African continent (African Development Bank, 2019).
The launch has been described as a timely response to the challenges of rapid urbanisation in
Africa as there is a strong need for expertise in integrated city planning (ibi). Tevera and
Zamberia (2010, pg. 284) conclude that “Swazi urban planners and managers will have to
address current problems while at the same time creating a policy environment that will

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enable cities to become more effective centres of growth and progress”. This also entails
recognizing the significant linkages that exist between urban and rural areas.

Integrated policies to improve the lives of both urban and rural dwellers are therefore needed
(United Nations, 2014), and as such, urban and regional planners are key players in the
formulation and implementation of such policies. The New Urban Agenda, which is
resolution 71/256 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 23 December 2016,
sets out the global agenda for sustainable urban development for the next 20 years. It
highlights strategic actions that are required to respond to the critical challenges facing cities
today, including the positive, transformative force of urbanization with all the great
opportunities it can bring. Sustainable urban planning is necessary to eliminate the causes of
segregation and exclusion (UN-Habitat, 2014). As Ratcliffe (1975, pg, 9-10) rightly puts it:

“Planning is concerned with taking an objective and rational view of future conditions,
assessing what society desires its destiny to be, forecasting the amount of change, estimating
the degree of control required, and formulating a policy to take account of this destiny,
change, and control”.

Town planning has evolved from being a technically oriented field towards becoming a
comprehensive and complex field. Its focus is no longer restricted to allocation of land to
different uses as it was the case previously. Rather, urban and regional planning is a practical
discipline that focuses on positive transformation and improvement of human settlements.
Technological advancements also make urban and regional planning a constantly evolving
professional field in recent times. The overall purpose of urban and regional planning is to
improve the living conditions and well-being of people and also to enhance the functionality
and prosperity of settlements. As change makers, urban and regional planners make positive
impacts to the socio-cultural, economic, political and environmental aspects of communities.

This proposed BSc. in Urban and Regional Planning programme adopts a multidisciplinary
approach to teaching, learning and knowledge acquisition. It provides students with
comprehensive knowledge and skills sets drawn from a wide range of established disciplines
such as geography, mathematics, information and communication technology, public
administration, political science, economics, sociology, and urban and regional planning
more specifically. Through this programme, the Department of Geography, Environmental
Science and Planning at the University of Eswatini is aimed at producing professional urban
and regional planners who are creative and innovative critical thinkers in their approach
towards addressing pressing development challenges. Cottrell (2003, pg. 221) reports that
“Edward Glaser, who developed a test of critical thinking in 1941, defined critical thinking
[as] a persistent effort to examine any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of
the evidence that supports it and the further conclusions to which it ends”. This definition of
critical thinking resonates well with the overall purpose of this proposed programme. The
programme is structured to facilitate critical thinking and the acquisition of all other
associated attributes by actively engaging the students throughout their training in different
practical activities, in addition to class-based teaching and learning of theoretical concepts.

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 2. JUSTIFICATION

This proposal has been developed based on the following reasons:

2.1 The UNESWA Repackaged Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021

The UNESWA Repackaged Strategic Plan of 2018–2021 pursues to promote and expand
market-driven programmes by not only reinforcing existing ones, but also introducing new
academic programmes that address labour market demands. The Plan is also careful to
ensure, as its responsibility, that such programmes are also aligned with the African Union‟s
2063 Agenda which aspires for a prosperous African continent founded on inclusive growth
and sustainable development (See African Union Commission, 2015; UNESWA, 2018). The
proposed BSc. URP programme will undoubtedly contribute to this strategy by producing
graduates who will be relevant to current issues confronting urban Africa (both cities and
towns) and will inevitably facilitate more equitable and sustainable urban development in
Eswatini, which is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 11).

2.2 Lack of relevance on current planning programmes to African context

The prevailing image of urban and regional planning in Africa depicts, to no lesser extent,
western ideologies which have less relevance to African countries (Duminy, Odendaal &
Watson, 2014) and display a disengaged, technical and a political profession which is devoid,
to a greater extent, of the key and relevant issues that shape up the urban landscape in most
African cities today. The issue of informality in cities of the global South is one key and
pressing issue which demands a change in perception which needs to be driven by, among
other things, informative and relevant curriculum which is tailor-made to address key
pressing issues in African cities. Needless to say, the current wave of urbanization that
characterize most African countries is begging for a paradigm shift in the planning profession
if African countries are to successfully achieve their development agendas – Vision 2022 for
the Kingdom of Eswatini, to be precise. The URP programme is designed to address such
issues, being mindful of key issues that face the African continent today such as the ever
increasing rate of urbanization which is driven by, among other things, the high rate of rural-
urban migration, particularly in the Kingdom of Eswatini as noted by Tevera and Zamberia
(2010). As already noted earlier, this puts pressure on the planning profession if the current
trends in urbanization stand and the pace of urban population growth persist (See UN-
Habitat, 2014; Hommann & Lall, 2019).

The shortage of urban planning and management professionals trained to respond to urban
complexity with progressive pro-poor approaches is one dilemma currently confronting most
African countries, Eswatini included. This is one major issue that exacerbates urban
dysfunction. The out-dated legislations of the colonial past for most African countries such as
the Kingdom of Eswatini compound the urban problems since such legislations are ill-
equipped to deal with contemporary urban problem, which are projected to worsen with the
current wave of urbanization characterizing contemporary Africa. The BSc. URP programme
is motivated by this skills gap and need for relevance. Alignment of the programme with

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regional and international trends and URP bodies will ensure that the products of this
programme can be easily assimilated into various industries in Africa and abroad, and
furthermore easily obtain professional certification. The programme is also likely to drive the
Department towards establishing a National In-service Centre for urban planners in the
country and outside which will help to generate revenue for the Department and University at
large and also ensure sustainability of the programme.

2.3 Programme not offered in the country

In addition to the needs highlighted above, the demand for the URP in the country cannot be
overemphasized since this programme is not offered by any institution in the Kingdom of
Eswatini. Offering the programme will cut on costs of taking aspiring planners abroad or to
the few South African URP institutions for training. Offering the programme locally can
increase enrolment and ensure a larger pool of specialists in the field, which will be timeous
for the country as it is currently experiencing establishment of more urban centres and the
upgrading of informal settlements. This can greatly improve urban planning departments in
the country and the programme has a potential of attracting international students throughout
the African continent since URP programmes are in short supply in Africa, particularly ones
with African relevance such as this proposed URP programme, considering its packaging.

With the recent road map towards the country‟s vision 2022 of attaining first world status by
2022 and ensuring sustainable cities (GoS, 2018; GoS, 2019), there is need for reform and
planning is the single most important tool that governments have at their disposal for
managing rapid urban population growth and expansion. If inclusive and sustainable planning
replaced outdated, controlling and punitive approaches, it would underpin more equitable and
economically productive urban development in the country. Crucially, change depends on
planners who are innovative and problem-solvers whose actions are also informed by current
planning trends, and this proposed URP programme aims at providing such skills which are
currently in short supply.

2.4 The Need Expressed on National Policies

As already noted, the country has drawn a road map towards the country‟s vision 2022 of
attaining first world status and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is mandated
to ensure that cities and all urban centres in the Kingdom are sustainable, which talks to the
importance of tailor-made planning programme that are relevant to local needs. The need for
an URP programme in the country, therefore, cannot be overemphasized. In Eswatini, just
like in most African countries, we are seeing an unprecedented pace of urbanization.
Although this pattern is not new in Africa and similar movements have been observed before
in other countries in the continent and outside, what is different in Eswatini (and in Africa in
general) is the speed of the process. In the context of Eswatini, new urban centres are being
established, existing settlements are declared towns and old towns undergo rapid expansion
and assume new urban status.

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These rapid changes bring about the common urban challenges that come with urban
expansion and unplanned urbanization, which include but not limited to, traffic congestion
(for instance in Manzini and Matsapha), overcrowding, and increased demand for
accommodation which leads to development of squatter settlements – a major development
problem in urban Africa. The proactive response to this is to improve urban planning and
plan for city growth. The first wave of migration might have caught the country unaware,
hence it was difficult to do proper planning then. An introduction of tailor-made urban
planning programmes on a massive scale in the country and in Africa is urgent and less
optional. As the country‟s urban centres become more attractive due to structural
transformation and improved service delivery as part of the country‟s vision, they also exert
strong pulling forces and increase the gradient on rural-urban migration and ultimately
compound city problems, which necessitate proper and context-based planning.

Establishing the URP programme, therefore, contributes to the implementation of several

national initiatives including the National Development Strategy (NDS): Vision 2022 and
various planning legislations and policies of the Kingdom of Eswatini which aim at providing
guidance for any development (land and property) to ensure that the outcome from such
developments is socially and environmentally preferable. One of the key mandates of the
Town Planning Act of 1961 is to encourage the study of town planning. The establishment of
the URP programme will help fulfil this mandate by ensuring that urban planning courses are
accessible and can be taken with a bit of convenience since they will be offered in the
country. The country, through The Human Settlement Act of 1990, is committed to ensure
orderly development of current and future urban (and rural) settlements and to encourage
research in appropriate methods on shelter and infrastructure provision and this actually
anchors well with the proposed URP programme which will not only equip aspiring planners
with research skills but will also lead them through research focusing on urban and regional
planning.

There is an urgent need in Eswatini for local professionals who will be instrumental in the
updating of existing planning legislations (as need arises) to increase their relevance to
current and local needs and this URP programmes aims at equipping future planners with
such skills of planning policy formulation. It is through acquiring such skills that the planners
will be able to revise and help in consolidating some of the duplicated legislations (e.g. the
Housing and Building Act of 1968, the Urban Area Regulations of 1930, the Subdivision of
Land Act of 1957, and more particularly the Human Settlements Authority Act of 1988 and
the Town Planning Act of 1951) and improve coordination so that they provide an adequate
legal foundation for addressing current government policy requirements and the needs of the
Swazi civil society.

2.5 The legal and institutional context of planning in Eswatini

Planning in the Kingdom of Eswatini is regarded as an important development tool and cuts
across various Ministries and Departments. Some of the key Ministries include the Ministry
of Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Planning, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban

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Development, with the latter having the mandate to ensure the establishment of well-planned
human settlement towards first world standard. The country has put in place several
legislations that guide the planning process, particularly physical planning. The purpose of
planning legislations, therefore, is to intervene in the processes of land and property
development in order to achieve an outcome that is socially and environmentally preferable.
Among the important legislations and policies in planning include: the Town Planning Act,
No. 45 of 1961 which makes provisions for the preparation and carrying out of town planning
schemes. This act applies on government owned urban areas such as Matsapha, Nhlangano,
Siteki and Ezulwini, to mention a few. The Act also provides procedures for the preparation
of town planning schemes and encourages the study of town planning.

The other important planning legislation is the Human Settlements Act, No. 13 of 1992 which
provides a contextualized definition of what is considered a settlement in the Kingdom of
Eswatini and classify settlements into types and various functions. The Act applies to human
settlements, housing schemes and private sectors. This act mandates the relevant bodies to
formulate policies relating to human settlements and ensures orderly development of existing
and future settlements (both urban and rural). Another important legislation in planning is
the National Physical Planning Act.

This Act aims at consolidating the laws relating to land development, planning and human
settlement and to establish a comprehensive mechanism for development control at national,
regional and local levels, and for that purpose, it provides for the preparation of physical
development plans, the regulation of development, subdivision of land and the establishment
of private townships, among other key issues. Other legislations of great relevance to
physical planning include: the Urban Government Act, 8 of 1969 (amended in 1995) (makes
provision for the establishment and regulation of urban authorities), the Building and
Housing Act of 1968 (which generally gives guidelines on development in urban areas and
within controlled areas), and the Rating Act, 4 of 1995 (that governs the rating of properties
in urban areas).

As already noted above, most of the planning and land legislation in the country are out dated
and rooted in the colonial/post-colonial era, and as such, they need to be revised in order to
adderss current local needs and challneges. It is also noted that there is duplication (e.g. the
Housing and Building Act of 1968, the Urban Area Regulations of 1930, the Human
Settlements Authority Act of 1988, the Town Planning Act of 1951, and the Subdivision of
Land Act of 1957) and lack of coordination. This raises the need to equip planners with skills
to be able to consolidating some of the duplicated legislations and improve coordination so
that they provide an adequate legal foundation for addressing current government policy
requirements, and the proposed URP programme aims to bridge such existing skill gaps.

2.6 Job Opportunities

Graduates in the proposed BSc. Urban and Regional Planning degree programme have
potential employment opportunities in the central government, local authorities such as the
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Municipal Council of Mbabane and Manzini, Town Councils and Town Boards, and private
consultancy companies that are enaged in urban and regional planning projects and related
fields such as real estates, architecture and civil engineering or construction. Potential
positions include being physical planners in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
and possibly being regional planners since there is a dire need for regional planners in the
country. Other job opportunities for graduates of this programme also include being urban
planners in the local authorities under the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and
Development. Employment opportunities for graduates of the programme also exist in
organizations involved in social and economic development. Urban and regional planning
degree opens up employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors:

1. Planning professionals in local authorities – city councils and municipalities

2. Professional planners in private practice
3. Land use and land reform consultant
4. Property developers and housing agencies
5. Urban design consultants
6. Architecture and landscape architecture firms
7. Social and community development planning
8. Economic development planning
9. Conservation and environmental planning
10. Transportation and infrastructure planning
11. International organizations and NGOs
12. Planning educators and researchers

3. BENCHMARKING OF THE BSc. URP DEGREE

Planning education and the training of urban and regional planners globally and in African
countries, in particular, have evolved over time. In the postcolonial period, most of the
planners in sub-Saharan African region were trained in the developed countries of Europe or
in African institutions that followed a Euro-centric planning curriculum. The education and
training these planners received, coupled with planning legislation and policies in place, had
little relevance to the conditions in the African context (Duminy, Odendaal & Watson, 2014).
In their professional planning practice, these planners failed to deal with local challenges.

In response to the limitations of planning education received from the West, African
institutions begun to introduce more relevant short courses and comprehensive programmes
on urban and regional planning since the late 1970s. There are now a number of universities
and institutions of higher learning in Africa offering full-time urban and regional planning
programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Most of these universities and
institutions are affiliated to the Association of African Planning Schools (AASPS), which is a
network of University departments, Centres, Institutes etc. in Africa offering urban/town and
regional planning programmes.

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The international benchmarking for this proposed BSc. URP degree is therefore situated
within this evolving planning education in sub-Saharan African countries. As a network of
planning institutions, the AASPS is working hard to ensure that planning education in Africa
is of relevance to the current and future realities of African societies. The AAPS undertook a
project entitled ʻRevitalising Planning Education‟ from 2008 to 2010 which was funded by
the Rockefeller Foundation. The aim of this project was to make detailed recommendations
for curriculum reform and develop associated resources. Based on this project, the AASPS
recommended some important thematic areas, which should be considered when developing
planning curriculum at both undergraduate and graduate levels in African institutions:

 Theme 1: Actor collaboration

 Theme 2: Climate change and African cities
 Theme 3: The informal economy
 Theme 4: Reading and representing the cultural landscape
 Theme 5: Spatial planning and infrastructure development

The first theme on actor collaboration focuses on the role and participation of different actors
and stakeholders in planning practices in the African context. The main aim of this thematic
area is to develop curriculum that will equip planners with adequate knowledge and
understanding of the diversity and complexities that are involved in planning practices in
African context. The second thematic area on climate change and African cities is aimed at
equipping planners with the necessary skills and knowledge of dealing with hazards of and
vulnerabilities to the changing climate in a rapidly urbanizing African context. The third
thematic area of the informal economy is to transform the education and practice of planning
in Africa from a predominantly restrictive approach to the informal economy towards
progressively accommodative one. This thematic area is based on the fact that the informal
economy is an indispensable aspect of the urban landscape across all African countries.

The forth thematic area of reading and representing the cultural landscape is aimed at
equipping planners with the necessary skills and knowledge of appreciating and dealing with
the diversity and role of cultural attributes in shaping and reshaping urban landscapes in
Africa. The fifth thematic area of spatial planning and infrastructure development deals with
lack of access to infrastructure and basic services experienced by a rapidly urbanizing
population. The aim of this thematic area is to develop planning curriculum that will equip
planners in Africa with the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with and effectively
facilitate the technical and practical provision of infrastructure and basic services to all
income groups.

The AASPS has developed curriculum resources for these thematic areas and these resources
are available on their website for adoption by African institutions. The curriculum resources
can be adopted as standalone modules/courses or be incorporated as key topics in other
modules. This proposed BSc. URP degree, therefore, takes into account these essential
thematic areas as they are equally applicable in the context of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Page | 9
Generally, urban and regional planning is a professional field, which adheres to certain
professional standards and codes of practice. It is therefore essential to align the proposed
programme with international professional planning requirements, standards and codes of
practice. As noted earlier, urban and regional planning in the Kingdom of Eswatini is still at
its infancy stage and the legislation guiding its practice is largely out-dated dating back to the
colonial period. It is for this reason that in benchmarking, reference was made to the South
African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), a statutory council responsible for regulating the
planning profession in South Africa.

Through a progress of international benchmarking, the SACPLAN formulated guidelines for

competencies and standards for curricula development, which are of relevance to the
planning profession in Eswatini, given the lack of such a statutory body in the country.
SACPLAN (2014: pg. 4) notes that “internationally and in South Africa, competencies form
the basis for curricula design, for accreditation of qualifications, registration and job
profiling”. SACPLAN (2014: pg. 12) also notes that “competencies are the amalgam of
knowledge, skills and attitudes deemed to be required by a planner on graduation and as
applied in practice”. Table 1 below provides the three sets of competencies that have been
identified by the SACPLAN as essential to any planning professional. Table 1 also provides
specific competencies under each set of competencies. SACPLAN provides a detailed
explanation of each of the competencies and performance outcomes in terms of knowledge,
skills, behaviour and attitudes that are expected to have been acquired through properly
deigned curriculum. These specific competencies can be developed as modules/courses on
their own or they can be incorporated as key topics/units in other modules in the curriculum.

These three sets of competencies are mandatory for training and education of all categories of
planners (SACPLAN (2014: pg. 12). All planning schools in South Africa are required to
comply with these sets of competencies in their planning curricula. These sets of
competencies were used in the benchmarking exercise undertaken to inform the formulation
of curriculum for this proposed undergraduate programme. Planning curricula from five (5)
AASPS member universities, from the three sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa, were
considered in the benchmarking exercise as illustrated in Table 2. Each of these five
universities offers a four-year full-time undergraduate degree programme by coursework.

Two of these Universities are from South Africa, namely, the University of Pretoria and
North-West University. Their programmes are accredited by SACPLAN in line with the sets
of competencies in Table 1. The University of Pretoria offers both undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes (Masters and PhD) in urban and regional planning and its
curriculum is designed in such a way that progression from undergraduate to postgraduates
becomes smooth for its graduates. Supplementary undergraduate modules for the Masters‟
degree may be prescribed for students who have not obtained an undergraduate degree in
urban and regional planning. North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) offered
undergraduate programme in urban and regional planning since 1965. The North-West

Page | 10
University Department for Urban and Regional Planning notes on its website that „having
served 50+ years in the education of planning students, this subject group continually revises
their curricula to remain market oriented and relevant to the fields of theoretical, research and
industry focused skills”.

Page | 11
Table 1: The three sets of competencies for planning professional in South Africa
Three sets of competencies
1. Generic competencies
2. Core competencies
3. Functional competencies
Source: Adopted from SACPLAN (2014: pages 12-39)
Definition Specific competencies
These are the essential skills, attributes and behaviours which 1. Critical thinking
are considered important for all planners, regardless of their 2. Interpersonal competencies
function or level. Generic competencies are the basic 3. Communications
competencies that are common in all the built and natural 4. Leadership
environment disciplines and indeed in most professions. They 5. Professionalism and ethical behaviour
are the competencies that are expected from any person 6. Social responsibility
studying towards a professional qualification in planning in an
institution of higher learning.
These are the set of specific knowledge, skills, abilities, or 1. Settlement history and theory
experiences that a Planner must possess in order to 2. Planning theory
successfully perform the work and activities that are central to 3. Planning sustainable cities and regions
professional planning practice. This is the set of competencies 4. Urban planning and place making
that distinguishes planning from the other built and natural 5. Regional development and planning
environment and development professions with which 6. Public policy, institutional and legal frameworks
planning interfaces. They may be considered as the „what‟ and 7. Environmental planning and management
the „how‟ of the planning profession. The core part of the term 8. Transportation planning and systems
indicates that an individual has a strong knowledge and skill 9. Land use and infrastructure planning
basis from which to add value when undertaking a specific 10. Integrated development planning
planning task. 11. Land economics
12. Social theories related to planning and
development
13. Research
These are the basic skills and behaviours that are needed to do 1. Survey and analysis
a job successfully. These are competencies which relate to the 2. Strategic assessment
“how to do” aspects of planning. For this reason, the functional 3. Local area planning
competencies focus strongly on techniques and methodologies, 4. Layout planning
some, but not all, are unique to the planning profession. These 5. Plan making
have been based on a fairly common set of functional 6. Plan implementation
competencies used both internationally and locally. 7. Participation and facilitation
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Beyond South Africa, but within the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
region, the University of Botswana was considered for benchmarking purposes. The
University of Botswana has strong historical ties with the University of Eswatini as
BOLESWA institutions and the two have signed a number of Memorandums of
Understanding, including collaboration in curriculum development and reforms. The
University of Botswana has offered a planning programme since the late 1980s and its
curricula have also evolved over time. The University of Botswana and the University of
Cape are the only two Universities in Africa which currently offer planning programmes
accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in the UK, and as such, Unuversity
of Botswana‟s degree programme has an additional year for professional accreditation.
Students will, upon successful completion of Level 400 (spatial), be awarded Bachelor of
Science in Urban and Regional Planning (BSc. URP), and will have an option to pursue
Level 500 (specialist). Once they complete Level 500, they are then awarded Master of Arts
Professional Degree in Urban and Regional Planning (MAURP).

The University of Nairobi in Kenya (East Africa) and Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology in Ghana (West Africa) were considered for benchmarking beyond
the SADC region and to compare with other sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa. According to
website of the University of Nairobi, the Department of Urban and Regional
Planning provides both undergraduate and postgraduate professional training in urban and
regional planning. It was established in 1971 and it has trained most of the urban and regional
planners in Kenya and has also trained for Eastern and Southern African countries. Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology offers a four-year programme leading to the
award of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Human Settlement Planning. The main
objective of this programme is to train the professional manpower required for the planning
and management of the growing urban and rural settlements in Ghana.

Table 2 below compares planning courses/modules offered by these five different universities
from the first year of enrolment to the final year of enrolment. All of these universities follow
a two semester system, and Table 2 presents the courses/modules as they are offered in each
university. Colour coding is used to differentiate the courses in line with SACPLAN‟s
guidelines for competencies and standards for curricula development. All courses coloured
blue are for generic competencies, red are for core competencies, and green are for
functional competencies. The last three rows of Table 2 indicate the total number of courses
offered by each university under each set of competencies. However, it should also be
emphasized that these competencies cut across the different courses offered. SACPLAN
states that any accredited qualification must devote at least 65% of its credit points to courses
delivering Core or Functional competencies. This requirement has been taken into account in
designing the proposed programme as illustrated in the Table 2 below.

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 Table 2: Benchmarking of courses in the proposed BSc in Urban and Regional Planning programme against the SACPLAN framework
of competencies and courses offered in five AASPS member universities
Urban & Regional Planning Programmes offered at AASPS Member Universities
Four-year full-time Proposed BSc in
coursework programme Southern African Development Community (SADC) East Africa West Africa Urban & Regional
Universities in South Africa BOLESWA Planning programme
University of North-West University of University of Kwame Nkrumah University of Eswatini
Level Semester Pretoria University Botswana Nairobi, Kenya University of Science
& Technology, Ghana
1. ALL123 Academic 1. SBSS111- Planning Core courses 1. BUR101 1. PL161 Information Core courses
literacy for town and settlement 1. URP110 Introduction Introduction to and communication 1. URP101 History of
and regional history to planning and built planning technology human settlements and
planning 2. GEOG111- environment 2. BUR103 Elements 2. PL159 Economics planning
Year 1 1 2. TRP110 Introduction to 2. ENS101 Introduction of physical and and development I Required courses
Introduction to physical geography to environmental biological 3. PL157 Geography 1. GEP111 Introduction
planning 3. ECON112- science I environments for for planners to the natural
3. TPH110 Planning Introduction to micro- 3. STA101 Mathematics planners 4. PL155 Fundamentals environment
and settlement economics for social sciences I 3. BUR105 Social of planning 2. MAT107 Algebra,
histories before the 4. MTHS114- Applied 4. ECO111 Basic micro- concepts for 5. PL153 Quantitative Trigonometry and
industrial calculus 1 economics planners methods for planners Analytical Geometry
revolution 5. STTN111- General courses 4. BUR107 I 3. SOC111 Introduction
4. TPA110 Site Descriptive statistics 1. COM131 Quantitative 6. ENGL157 to sociology I
analysis and Communication and techniques for Communication 4. ECO101 Principles of
assessment academic literacy planners skills I microeconomics
5. EKN110 skills (FET) 5. BUR109 7. PL151 Foundation General Education
Economics 2. ICT121 Computer Presentation workshop I Courses
6. SOC110 Sociology skills fundamentals techniques I 1. GNS113 HIV
7. STK110 Statistics 6. CCS001 prevention, infection
Communication and management of
Skills AIDS
7. CCS008 Elements 2. ACS111 Academic
of philosophy communication skills:
English for academic
purposes
2 1. TPH120 Planning 1. SBSS121- Core courses 1. BUR100 1. PL160 Economics Core courses
and settlement Introduction to 1. URP111 History of Economics for for development II 1. URP102 Introduction
histories since the planning planning planners 2. PL158 Development to land-use planning
industrial 2. GEOG121- 2. ENS102 Introduction 2. BUR102 Rural of human settlement Required courses
revolution Introduction to human to environmental planning principles 3. PL156 Sociology of 1. GEP121 Introduction
2. TPS120 Principles geography science I and techniques development to the human

Page | 14
 of settlement 3. ECON122- 3. STA102 Mathematics 3. BUR104 Statistics 4. PL154 Quantitative environment
design Introduction to for social science II for planners methods for planners 2. PAD102 Introduction
3. TPA120 macro-economics 4. ECO112 Basic 4. BUR106 II to Public
Settlement analysis 4. ADLE122- Academic macro-economics Presentation 5. ENGL158 Administration
and assessment literacy General courses techniques II Communication 3. SOC111 Introduction
4. EKN120 5. STTN124- Practical 1. COM132 Academic 5. CCS010 skills II to sociology II
Economics statistics and professional HIV&AIDS 6. PL152 Foundation 4. ECO102 Principles of
5. SOC120 Sociology communication workshop macroeconomics
6. STK120 Statistics 2. ICT122 Computer General Education
skills and Courses
fundamentals 1. ACS112 Academic
communication skills:
English for specific
purposes
2. CSC101 Computer
skills foundation

Year 2 1 1. TPD210 1. SBES212- Layout Core courses 1. BUR201 Planning 1. ENGL263 Literature Core courses
Introduction to planning 1. URP220 Planning theory and in English I 1. URP201 Planning
development 2. GEOG211- Physical theory I methodology I 2. PL259 Population theory and politics I
planning geography 2. URP221 Planning 2. BUR205 and development 2. URP203 Drawing
2. TPU210 Land use 3. ECON211- Macro graphics and Information 3. PL257 Environment skills for planners
management economics communication technology and and development 3. URP205 Planning and
theory 4. WVNS211- 3. CGB213 Principles of data systems 4. PL251 Rural climate change
3. TPA210 Plan and Understanding the cartography 3. BUR207 Land settlement planning Required courses
policy analysis and natural world 4. URP222 Planning economics and workshop I 1. GEP217 Introduction
assessment methods and administration 5. PL255 Development to cartography
4. TPS210 Settlement techniques 4. BUR209 Transport planning process 2. GEP219 Introduction
design concepts 5. ENS 242 Introduction planning I 6. PL253 Research to geographic
5. JCP201 to remote Sensing 5. BUR211 methods information systems
Community-based 6. ARB216 Computer Population and Optional courses
project aided drafting demography for 1. GEP225
Choice between planners Geomorphology I
1. EKN214 6. BUR213 Rural 2. POL205 Gender and
Economics planning studio I Public Policy
2. SOC210 Sociology
2 1. TPD220 Municipal 1. SBSS223- Urban Core courses 1. BUR203 Urban 1. ENGL264 Literature Core courses
development design 1. URP223 Site planning planning principles in English II 1. URP202 Site layout
planning 2. SBRS221- Regional and design I and techniques I 2. PL260 Theories of and design
2. TPS220 Settlement plans 2. URP224 Planning 2. BUR200 Planning development 2. URP204 Computer
establishment and 3. SANL225- Urban theory II theory and 3. PL258 Development aided drafting (CAD)
housing delivery anthropology 3. URP225 GIS for methodology II infrastructure II 3. Urp206 Planning and
3. TPU261 Urban 4. ECON321- Economic planners 3. BUR202 Urban 4. PL256 Economics of cultural landscapes

Page | 15
 land development analysis 4. URP222 Planning planning principles spatial development Required courses
economics 5. WVNS221- methods & techniques and techniques II 5. PL254 Introduction 1. GEP218 Elementary
4. TPU262 Land use Understanding the 5. ENS243 Introduction 4. BUR204 Elements to GIS and models in surveying
management economic world remote to sensing of land surveying planning 2. GEP224 Statistical
practice Winter session and cartography 6. PL252 Rural measures and analysis
5. JCP201 1. URP226 Planning 5. BUR206 settlement planning Optional courses
Community-Based practice/internship I Infrastructure and workshop II 1. URP208 Land and
Project utilities planning I property economics
Choice between 6. BUR208 Housing 2. GEP234 Urban and
1. EKN234 & community economic geography
Economics services Vacation course
2. SOC220 Sociology 7. BUR210 Transport 1. URP212 Field
planning II attachment I (6-8
8. BUR212 Rural weeks during winter
planning studio II vacation)
Year 3 1 1. TPW310 1. SBES313- Core courses 1. BUR301 Regional 1. PL359 Resource Core courses
Institutional and Infrastructure 1. URP320 Planning planning principles assessment 1. URP301 Planning
legal structures for planning practice and techniques I techniques theory and politics II
planning 2. SBRS313- Regional 2. URP321 2. BUR303 2. PL357 Agricultural 2. URP303 Local
2. TPD310 Regional development theory Transportation Infrastructure and and industrial economic development
development 3. SBSS313- Planning planning & utilities planning II development policy 3. URP305 Urban design
planning for sustainable cities management 3. BUR305 Resource 3. PL361 Housing studio
3. TPS310 Spatial 4. GEOG311- GIS and 3. URP322 & environmental policy planning Required courses
concepts remote sensing Environmental land planning I 4. PL355 1. GEP327 Introduction
Choice between use planning 4. BUR307 Planning Transportation to remote sensing
1. EKN310 4. URP323 Site planning law I planning 2. GEP313 Research
Economics and design II 5. BUR309 Research 5. PL351 District methods in geography
2. SOC310 Sociology Optional courses methodology development Optional courses
1. LAW338 Law and the 6. BUR311 GIS and planning I 1. URP307 Actor
environment remote sensing collaboration
2. SOC329 Urban 7. BUR313 Urban 2. PAD309 Public
sociology planning studio I relations
2 1. TRP320 Planning 1. SBSS323- Planning Core courses 1. BUR300 Regional 1. PL362 Governance Core courses
prospects theory 1. URP325 Urban & planning principles of development 1. URP302 Regional
2. TPD320 Rural 2. SBSS321- Transport regional economics and techniques II 2. PL360 Planning for planning principles
development planning and systems 2. URP326 2. BUR302 Elements education 2. URP304 Housing
planning 3. SRSK323- Urban risk Neighbourhood of building design 3. PL358 Health theory and policy
3. TMS320 Transport management planning and design and development services planning 3. URP306 Urban
planning and 4. SECO321- Urban 3. URP327 3. BUR304 Resource 4. PL356 Project Informal Economy:
municipal services ecology for planners Infrastructure and environmental analysis Theory, Politics and
provision 5. ECON322 - planning and planning II 5. PL352 Planning Action
Choice between Development management 4. BUR306 Urban workshop III - 4. URP308
1. EKN320 economics 4. URP328 Planning design & site district development Transportation and

Page | 16
 Economics practice/internship II planning planning infrastructure planning
2. SOC320 Sociology (8 weeks) 5. BUR308 Planning Required courses
5. URP329 Gender and law II 1. GEP334 GIS and
planning 6. BUR310 spatial analysis
Optional courses Organizational and Optional courses
1. SOC335 Rural political context of 1. GEP326 Introduction
Sociology planning to environmental
2. URP324 Facilities 7. BUR312 Urban policy and planning
and service planning planning studio II 2. GEP328
Environmental impact
assessment
Vacation course
1. URP312 Field
attachment II (6-8
weeks during winter
vacation)
Year 4 1 1. TPI452 Planning 1. SGSS414 Research Core courses 1. BUR401 1. PL451 District Core courses
interventions: peri- methodology for geo- 1. URP420 Planning Management management 1. URP401 Land and
urban and rural and spatial sciences legislation techniques workshop I planning law
areas 2. SBRS411- Regional 2. URP421 Planning and 2. BUR403 Regional 2. PL455 Financing 2. URP403 Regional
2. TPI454 Planning analysis and management for development development planning policy and
interventions: application climate change theory 3. PL457 Social policy practice
supranational, 3. SBSS412- Integrated 3. URP422 Urban 3. BUR405 Planning planning 3. URP499 Integrated
national and housing regenerating and research project 4. PL459 Management development planning
provincial scale development renewal 4. BUR407 Regional and entrepreneurial (year long course)
3. TRP412 4. SBSS414- Land use 4. URP423 Settlement planning studio I skills Required courses
Professional planning and planning and design 1 5. PL461 Planning 1. GEP411 Spatial
practice development policy Optional courses theory aspects of rural
4. TPE410 Research 1. URP424 Land and development
methodology property development 2. URP499 Research
project (year long
course)
Optional courses
1. GEP417 Social impact
analysis
2. GEP419 Hazard, risk
and vulnerability
analysis
2 1. TPI451 Planning 1. SBSS424- Strategic Core courses 1. BUR400 Planning 1. PL464 Special study Core courses
interventions: and participatory 1. URP425 Contracting practice and 2. PL452 Planning 1. URP402 Professional
precinct scale planning and planning project administration workshop IV- plan planning practice and
2. TPI453 Planning 2. SSBP421- Planning management 2. BUR402 Planning implementation and ethics
interventions: practice 2. URP426 Settlement development management Required courses

Page | 17
 metropolitan scale 3. SBSS472 - Research planning and design II project 1. GEP420 Applied GIS
3. TPE420 Research project (Year module) 3. URP427 Planning 3. BUR404 Regional and remote sensing
report ethics planning studio II 2. GEP415 Project
4. POU720 Practical 4. URP428 Urban planning and
development governance and management
feasibility management Optional courses
5. URP429 Integrated 1. ACF432 Public
housing studies finance and
Optional courses expenditure
1. RES310 Property 2. GEP426 Climate
management change
2. URP430 Healthy city 3. GEP424
planning Environmental
NOTE: Students have an resources management
option to pursue Level 500
(specialist) for MAURP
SACPLAN Generic 6 8 10 8 11 14
Competencies Core 24 22 21 38 20 22
Functional 14 5 17 11 11 21
Total Number of Courses 44 35 48 57 42 57

Important Note: The differences in the total number of courses between the five institutions is attributable to two main factors, namely, differences in the
allocation of credit points to individual courses, and the differences in classifying courses as Core, Optional/Elective, and or Required. The University of
Pretoria and the University of Botswana have indicated the Core and Optional courses (the University of Pretoria does not offer optional courses at Year 4).
The North-West University; the University of Nairobi, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology did not specify which courses are Core or
Optional, and as such, it is not easy to know the exact total number of courses they offer to their students. As shown in Table 3 below, of the 57 courses
constituting the proposed programme, 23 are proposed new urban and regional planning courses and 34 already exist from GEP and other departments. The
total number of courses under the proposed BSc. URP programme is reasonably justified in the sense that it is the complete package of courses consisting of
Core Courses; Required Courses; Elective Courses; and General Education Courses proposed for this programme as per the Academic General Regulations of
the University of Eswatini, which stipulates that “A programme is a plan of study made up of Core, Required, General Education courses and any other
course(s) approved by the Senate lasting over a specified period, which leads to a degree, diploma or certificate qualification”. As shown under the „Structure
of the Proposed Programme‟ the programme is within the required range of credits as per the Academic General Regulations of the University of Eswatini.

Page | 18
The comparison of planning courses in Table 2 above clearly indicates that the proposed BSc.
in URP programme compares well with similar programmes already offered in different
uuniversities across the three sub-regions of sub-Saharan African. The proposed programme
conforms to the SACPLAN guidelines for competencies and standards for curricula
development. The programme also incorporates the thematic areas recommended by the
AASPS. Some of these thematic areas have been developed as full courses (URP205
Planning and Climate Change; URP206 Planning and Cultural Landscapes; URP306 Urban
Informal Economy: Theory, Politics and Action, and URP307 Actor Collaboration) and
others will constitute major topics in selected courses throughout the degree programme.
This proposed BSc. in Urban and Regional Planning programme adopts a multidisciplinary
approach to teaching, learning and knowledge acquisition. As shown in Table 3, the courses
for the proposed programme are drawn from a wide range of established disciplines such as
geography (GEP department), mathematics, information and communication technology,
public administration, political science, economics, sociology (other departments), and urban
and regional planning more specifically (URP courses).

Table 3: The total number of courses to be offered under the BSc. URP programme
Year of study The number of The number of The number of The number of
existing courses existing courses proposed URP courses per
Level Semester from semester
the GEP from other courses
Department departments
Year 1 1 1. GEP111 1. MAT107 1. URP101 History
Introduction to the Algebra, of Human
Natural Trigonometry Settlements And
Environment and Analytical Planning
Geometry
2. SOC111
Introduction to
Sociology I 7
3. ECO101
Principles of
Microeconomics
4. ACS111
ACS111
Academic
Communication
Skills: English
for Academic
Purposes
5. GNS113 HIV
Prevention,
Infection &
Management of
AIDS
2 2. GEP112 6. PAD102 2. URP102
Introduction to the Introduction to Introduction to
Human Environment Public Land-Use
Administration Planning
7. SOC111
Introduction to 7
Sociology II
8. ECO102
Principles of
Macroeconomics
9. ACS112

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 Academic
Communication
Skills: English
for Specific
Purposes
10. CSC101
Computer Skills
Foundation
Year 2 1 3. GEP217 11. POL205 Gender 3. URP201 Theory
Introduction to and Public And Politics I
Cartography Policy 4. URP203 Drawing
4. GEP219 Skills for Planners 7
Introduction to 5. URP205 Planning
Geographic and Climate
Information Systems Change
5. GEP225
Geomorphology I
2 6. GEP218 Elementary 6. URP202 Site
Surveying Layout and
7. GEP224 Statistical Design
Measures & 7. URP204
Analysis Computer Aided
8. GEP234 Urban and Drafting and 8
Economic Design
Geography 8. URP206 Planning
and Cultural
Landscapes
9. URP208 Land and
Property
Economics
10. URP212 Field
Attachment I
Year 3 1 9. GEP313 Research 12. PAD309 Public 11. URP301 Planning
Methods in Relations Theory and
Geography Politics II
10. GEP327 12. URP303 Local
Introduction to Economic 7
Remote Sensing Development
13. URP305 Urban
Design Studio
14. URP307 Actor
Collaboration
2 11. GEP334 GIS and 15. URP302 Regional
Spatial Analysis Planning
12. GEP326 Principles
Introduction to 16. URP304 Housing
Environmental Theory And
Policy & Planning Policy 8
13. GEP328 17. URP306 Urban
Environmental Informal
Impact Assessment Economy: Theory,
Politics and
Action
18. URP308
Transportation
and Infrastructure
Planning
19. URP312 Field
Attachment II
Year 4 1 14. GEP411 Spatial 20. URP401 Land and
Aspects of Rural Planning Law
Development 21. URP403 Regional
15. GEP499 Research Planning Policy 7
project (year long and Practice
courses) 22. URP499
16. GEP419 Hazard, Integrated
Risk & Development

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 Vulnerability Planning (year
Analysis long course)
17. GEP417 Social
Impact Analysis
2 18. GEP420 Applied 13. ACF432 Public 23. URP402
Geographic Finance And Professional
Information Systems Expenditure Planning Practice
& Remote Sensing and Ethics
19. GEP415 Project
Planning And 6
Management
20. GEP426 Climate
Change
21. GEP424
Environmental
Resources
Management
Total number of
courses to be offered
under the proposed 21 13 23 57
BSc. URP
programme

4. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

4.1 Purpose
The BSc. in Urban and Regional Planning is aimed at the training of professional planners to
effectively plan and manage urban and rural settlements in Eswatini and internationally. It
equips the students with an appropriate set of functional, technical, socio-political, generic
and transferable skills and competencies that are required in professional planning practice.

4.2 Objectives
A graduate of the proposed programme will be able to perform the following:
1) Identify and apply innovative and appropriate approaches and techniques in the
spatial planning and management of urban and rural settlements.
2) Analyse and respond to the complexities and dynamics of urban and rural areas and
their interdependences and interconnectedness in a rapidly globalizing world.
3) Develop and implement appropriate strategies and techniques to manage problems
and challenges, which arise from rapid urbanization currently experienced.
4) Effectively engage with the technical, socio-cultural, political, economic, and
environmental aspects of urban and regional planning.
5) Identify and actively engage and collaborate with relevant actors and stakeholders at
appropriate stages of the planning process.
6) Effectively engage in research and disseminate knowledge through appropriate
channels of communication.
7) Operate within the existing legal, institutional, administrative, and procedural
arrangements of urban and regional planning profession.
8) Able to work independently and collaboratively as member of team to address any
issue pertaining to urban and regional planning.

Page | 21
 9) Exercise due diligence and professionalism by adhering at all the times to the norms,
values, ethical principles, and codes of conduct of professional planning practice.

5. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME

In this section, the layout of the proposed programme in Urban and Regional Planning and
the course descriptions are presented. The degree will be offered in three formats, namely; as
a full-time Single Major degree programme; as a major in a Combined Degree (Major/Major)
programme; and as a part-time Single Major degree programme as per the Academic General
Regulations of the University of Eswatini.

The first option is a four-year full-time Single Major Degree in Urban and Regional Planning
(BSc. URP) with at least 120 credits from Core and Required courses as per the Academic
General Regulations of the University of Eswatini. The graduates of this single major
programme will be equipped with the general, core, and functional competencies and skills
required for professional planning practices.

6.1 Course Structure

6.1.1 Option A: Single Major – Full-time Option

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER I
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP101 History of Human Settlements And Planning 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP111 Introduction to the Natural Environment 3 3 4.0
MAT107 Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry 3 0 3.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology I 3 0 3.0
ECO101 Principles of Microeconomics 3 0 3.0
AND
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS111 ACS111 Academic Communication Skills: English for Academic Purposes 2 2 2.2
GNS113 HIV Prevention, Infection & Management of AIDS 2 0 2.0
SEMESTER CREDITS 20.2

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER II
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP102 Introduction to Land-Use Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES

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GEP112 Introduction to the Human Environment 3 3 4.0
PAD102 Introduction to Public Administration 3 0 3.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology II 3 0 3.0
ECO102 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 0 3.0
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS112 Academic Communication Skills: English for Specific Purposes 2 2 2.2
CSC101 Computer Skills Foundation 1 1 1.3
SEMESTER CREDITS 20.5

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER III

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP201 Planning Theory And Politics I 3 0 3.0
URP203 Drawing Skills for Planners 2 6 4.0
URP205 Planning and Climate Change 3 2 3.7
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP217 Introduction to Cartography 2 6 4.0
GEP219 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 2 6 4.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP225 Geomorphology I 2 3 3.0
POL205 Gender and Public Policy 3 0 3.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 19.2

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER IV
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP202 Site Layout and Design 2 6 4.0
URP204 Computer Aided Drafting and Design 2 6 4.0
URP206 Planning and Cultural Landscapes 3 2 3.7
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP218 Elementary Surveying 2 6 4.0
GEP224 Statistical Measures & Analysis 3 3 4.0
URP212 Field Attachment I 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
URP208 Land and Property Economics 3 2 3.7
GEP234 Urban and Economic Geography 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 21.7

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER V
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP301 Planning Theory and Politics II 3 0 3.0
URP303 Local Economic Development 3 3 4.0

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URP305 Urban Design Studio 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP313 Research Methods in Geography 3 3 4.0
GEP327 Introduction to Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
URP307 Actor Collaboration 3 2 3.7
PAD309 Public Relations 3 0 3.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 19.0

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER VI
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP302 Regional Planning Principles 3 0 3.0
URP304 Housing Theory and Policy 3 2 3.7
URP306 Urban Informal Economy: Theory, Politics and Action 3 2 3.7
URP308 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP334 GIS and Spatial Analysis 2 6 4.0
URP312 Field Attachment II 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP326 Introduction to Environmental Policy & Planning 2 3 3.0
GEP328 Environmental Impact Assessment 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 20.4

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP401 Land and Planning Law 3 0 3.0
URP403 Regional Planning Policy and Practice 3 3 4.0
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP411 Spatial Aspects of Rural Development 3 4.5 4.5
GEP499 Research project 0 5 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP419 Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
GEP417 Social Impact Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 16.5

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VIII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP402 Professional Planning Practice and Ethics 3 0 3.0
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0

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 REQUIRED COURSES
GEP420 Applied Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
GEP415 Project Planning and Management 3 0 3.0
GEP499 Research Project 0 5 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
ACF432 Public Finance and Expenditure 3 0 3.0
GEP426 Climate Change 2 3 3.0
GEP424 Environmental Resources Management 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 16.0

TOTAL CREDITS (excluding electives) 154.0

6.1.2 Option B: Major – Social Sciences Option

The second option is a major in a Combined Degree (Major/Major) defined in Section 010.03
(5) of the Academic General Regulations of the University of Eswatini as “a programme of
study composed of Core courses from two major subjects as well as Required, General
Education and any other course(s) approved by Senate”. In line with this definition, the GEP
Department has a long history of offering Major courses in urban and regional planning to
students from the Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS). The graduates of these subject
combinations occupy important positions within government and the private sector. It is in
this same spirit to continue collaborating with the FOSS to train qualified personnel to work
as managers and administrators to improve urban governance within municipalities, the
private sector and non-governmental orgnaizations.

In this second option, a student will do subjects in the FOSS (preferably Public
Administration, Sociology, Economics or Demography) as a major, with at least 60 credits
from Core and Required courses. The students will have a wide range of Elective courses
from GEP (excluding those that are more specific to the single major BSc. URP option) and
FOSS but in line with UNESWA‟s Acadmeic General Regulations. Table 4 below compares
the courses the GEP Department is currently offering to students from the FOSS with the
structure of the proposed Combined Major Degree in URP. Most of the GEP courses will the
retained and offered as required or elective courses and the proposed URP courses will be
core courses. URP courses with a red line across (e.g. URP203 Drawing Skills for Planners) are
those that will not be taken by students from FOSS. All Required/Elective courses from other
Departments with a blue line across (e.g. MAT107 Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry)
prescribed or recommended for students pursing single major in BSc. URP will not be prescribed to
students from FOSS but those students will take such courses as per the requirements of their Faculty.

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Table 4: The existing and proposed courses from the GEP Department offered to FOSS students
Combined Major GEP courses currently offered to FOSS students GEP and URP courses to be offered to FOSS students
Degree
Level Semester Core courses Elective courses Core courses Required courses Elective courses
Year 1 1 1. GEP111 Introduction to the N/A 1. URP101 History of Human 1. GEP111 Introduction to the N/A
Natural Environment Settlements and Planning Natural Environment
2 2. GEP112 Introduction to the N/A 2. URP102 Introduction to 2. GEP112 Introduction to the N/A
Human Environment Land-Use Planning Human Environment
Year 2 1 3. GEP211Elementary Surveying N/A 3. URP201 Planning Theory 3. GEP219 Introduction to 1. GEP217 Introduction
and Cartography and Politics I Geographic Information to Cartography
4. GEP221Introduction to 4. URP205 Planning and Systems 2. GEP225
Geographic Information Systems Climate Change Geomorphology I
2 5. GEP224 Statistical Measures 1. GEP228 Population 5. URP 206 Planning and 4. GEP218 Elementary 3. GEP228 Population
and Analysis and Cultural Cultural Landscapes Surveying and Cultural
6. GEP234 Urban and Economic Geography 5. GEP224 Statistical Measures Geography
Geography and Analysis 4. GEP234 Urban and
Economic Geography

Year 3 1 7. GEP311 Biogeography 2. GEP317 Waste 6. URP301 Planning Theory 6. GEP327 Introduction to 5. GEP313 Research
8. GEP313 Research Methods Management and Politics II Remote Sensing Methods In Geography
Systems
2 9. GEP312 Advanced GIS, Remote N/A 7. URP302 Regional 7. GEP334 GIS and Spatial 6. GEP326 Introduction
Sensing and Cartography Planning Principles Analysis to Environmental
10. GEP314 Principles of Planning 8. URP306 Urban Informal Policy and Planning
Economy: Theory, Politics 7. GEP328
and Action Environmental Impact
Assessment
Year 4 1 11. GEP417 Social Impact Analysis 3. GEP415 Project 9. URP403 Regional 8. GEP411 Spatial Aspects of 8. GEP417 Social Impact
12. GEP419 Hazard, Risk and Planning and Planning Policy and Rural Development Analysis
Vulnerability Analysis Management Practice 9. GEP419 Hazard, Risk
4. GEP499 Research And Vulnerability
Project Analysis
10. GEP499 Research
Project
2 13. GEP418 Land Use Planning 5. GEP499 Research 10. URP402 Professional 9. GEP420 Applied GIS and 11. GEP499 Research
14. GEP422 Urban Systems and Project Planning Practice and Remote Sensing Project
Regional Planning Ethics 10. GEP415 Project Planning 12. GEP424
and Management Environmental
Resources
Management

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6.1.2 Option B: Major – Social Sciences Option

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER I
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP101 History of Human Settlements and Planning 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP111 Introduction to the Natural Environment 3 3 4.0
MAT107 Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry 3 0 3.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology I 3 0 3.0
ECO101 Principles of Microeconomics 3 0 3.0
AND
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS111 ACS111 Academic Communication Skills: English for Academic Purposes 2 2 2.2
GNS113 HIV Prevention, Infection & Management of AIDS 2 0 2.0
SEMESTER CREDITS 11.2

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER II
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP102 Introduction to Land-Use Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP112 Introduction to the Human Environment 3 3 4.0
PAD102 Introduction to Public Administration 3 0 3.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology II 3 0 3.0
ECO102 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 0 3.0
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS112 Academic Communication Skills: English for Specific Purposes 2 2 2.2
CSC101 Computer Skills Foundation 1 1 1.3
SEMESTER CREDITS 11.5

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER III

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP201 Planning Theory and Politics I 3 0 3.0
URP203 Drawing Skills for Planners 2 6 4.0
URP205 Planning and Climate Change 3 2 3.7
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP219 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 2 6 4.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP225 Geomorphology I 2 3 3.0
GEP217 Introduction to Cartography (this a required course for single major) 2 6 4.0
POL205 Gender and Public Policy 3 0 3.0

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SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 10.7

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER IV
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP202 Site Layout and Design 2 6 4.0
URP204 Computer Aided Drafting and Design 2 6 4.0
URP206 Planning and Cultural Landscapes 3 2 3.7
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP218 Elementary Surveying 2 6 4.0
GEP224 Statistical Measures & Analysis 3 3 4.0
URP212 Field Attachment I 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
URP224 Land and Property Economics 3 2 3.7
GEP228 Population and Cultural Geography 3 3 4.0
GEP234 Urban and Economic Geography 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 11.7

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER V
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP301 Planning Theory and Politics II 3 0 3.0
URP303 Local Economic Development 3 3 4.0
URP305 Urban Design Studio 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP327 Introduction to Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
URP307 Actor Collaboration 3 2 3.7
GEP313 Research Methods in Geography (a required course for single major) 3 3 4.0
PAD309 Public Relations 3 0 3.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 7.0

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER VI
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP302 Regional Planning Principles 3 0 3.0
URP304 Housing Theory and Policy 3 2 3.7
URP306 Urban Informal Economy: Theory, Politics and Action 3 2 3.7
URP308 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP334 GIS and Spatial Analysis 2 6 4.0
URP312 Field Attachment II 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES

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GEP326 Introduction to Environmental Policy & Planning 2 3 3.0
GEP328 Environmental Impact Assessment 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 10.7

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP401 Land and Planning Law 3 0 3.0
URP403 Regional Planning Policy and Practice 3 3 4.0
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP411 Spatial Aspects of Rural Development 3 4.5 4.5
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP499 Research project (a required course for single major) 0 5 2.0
GEP419 Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
GEP417 Social Impact Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 8.5

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VIII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP402 Professional Planning Practice and Ethics 3 0 3.0
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP420 Applied Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
GEP415 Project Planning and Management 3 0 3.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP499 Research Project 0 5 2.0
ACF432 Public Finance And Expenditure 3 0 3.0
GEP426 Climate Change 2 3 3.0
GEP424 Environmental Resources Management 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 10.0

TOTAL CREDITS (excluding electives) 81.3

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6.1.3 Option C: Single Major – Part-time Option

The third option is a part-time Single Major Degree programme with at least 120 credits from
Core and Required courses offered through the Institute of Distance Education (IDE). One of
the core objectives of the UNESWA‟s Repackaged Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021 is to grow by
enhanced diversification of academic programmes offered. The University is currently in the
process of introducing blended learning across all the Faculties through the Centre of
Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). Although still at its enfancy stage, the blended
learning approach is timely to facilitate the delivery of this proposed programme to many
students through online platforms beyond traditional face-to-face teaching. Whilst waiting for
the blended learning to be well established in the University, the third option is to offer this
proposed programme as a single major on a part-time basis. This is in line with the on-going
discussions between the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FOSE) and IDE for the
departments under the FOSE, GEP included to start offering their programmes through IDE.
A joint sub-committee between FOSE amd IDE has been established to look at the logistics
and make recommendations, and as such, the finalization/actualization of this proposed part-
time single major BSc. URP will be informed by the resolutions of the FOSE Board.

This part-time option will be the exact equivalent of the fulltime option (the same courses),
and as such, the students will be equipped with all the competencies and skills required for
professional planning practices upon graduation. The part-time programme will be offered
over a minimum period of 6 years (12 semesters) and a maximum of 8 years (16 semesters) as
benchmarked from other comparable distance learning degree programmes offered by highly
reputable open universities, namely, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) and the Open
University of UK (OUUK). The OUT offers BSc. Environmental Studies to be completed in
3 to 5 years through intensive face-to-face learning or a maximum of 8 years through open
distance learning. The OUUK offers BSc (Hons) Geography and Environmental Science to
be completed in 3 to 4 years of full-time study or 6 years of part-time study.

As defined in Section 010.80 of the Academic General Regulations, “A part-time

undergraduate student is a student registered with the University and takes fewer than 18
credits per semester”. In line with this definition, the courses for single major in BSc. URP
are distributed over six years, which is the minimum possible period to complete this
programme on a part-time basis as benchmarked from other open universities. The courses
are distributed in such a way that the workload for students per semester is reduced to the
possible minimum level, and as such, the structure of the part-time single major BSc. URP
programme does not necessarily follow the successive years of registration. In other words,
part-time students shall take some of Year 1 courses in their second year of registration; they
shall take some of Year 2 courses in their third year of registration; they shall take some of
Year 3 courses in their fourth year of registration and so on until their sixth year of
registration, which is the minimum period they shall be expected to complete the programme.
Subject to the Academic General Regulations of the University of Eswatini, it is proposed
that a part-time student who is unable to complete the programme within six years be allowed

Page | 30
to register for up to two additional years (4 semesters) to clear off any outstanding course/s
and complete the programme within the expected maximum period of 8 years (16 semesters).

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER I
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP101 History of Human Settlements and Planning 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP111 Introduction to the Natural Environment 3 3 4.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology I 3 0 3.0
AND
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS111 ACS111 Academic Communication Skills: English for Academic Purposes 2 2 2.2
GNS113 HIV Prevention, Infection & Management of AIDS 2 0 2.0
SEMESTER CREDITS 14.2

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER II
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP102 Introduction to Land-Use Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP112 Introduction to the Human Environment 3 3 4.0
SOC111 Introduction to Sociology II 3 0 3.0
AND
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
ACS112 Academic Communication Skills: English for Specific Purposes 2 2 2.2
CSC101 Computer Skills Foundation 1 1 1.3
SEMESTER CREDITS 14.5

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER III

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP201 Planning Theory and Politics I 3 0 3.0
URP203 Drawing Skills for Planners 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
MAT107 Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry 3 0 3.0
ECO101 Principles of Microeconomics 3 0 3.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP225 Geomorphology I 2 3 3.0
POL205 Gender and Public Policy 3 0 3.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 13.0

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LEVEL 2 SEMESTER IV
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP202 Site Layout and Design 2 6 4.0
URP206 Planning and Cultural Landscapes 3 2 3.7
REQUIRED COURSES
PAD102 Introduction to Public Administration 3 0 3.0
ECO102 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 0 3.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
URP208 Land and Property Economics 3 2 3.7
GEP234 Urban and Economic Geography 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 13.7

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER V
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP205 Planning and Climate Change 3 2 3.7
URP301 Planning Theory and Politics II 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP217 Introduction to Cartography 2 6 4.0
GEP327 Introduction to Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
NO ELECTIVE COURSES OFFERED THIS SEMESTER
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 14.7

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER VI
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP204 Computer Aided Drafting and Design 2 6 4.0
URP302 Regional Planning Principles 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP219 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 2 6 4.0
GEP224 Statistical Measures and Analysis 3 3 4.0
URP212 Field Attachment I 2.0
NO ELECTIVE COURSES OFFERED THIS SEMESTER
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 17.0

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP303 Local Economic Development 3 3 4.0
URP305 Urban Design Studio 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP313 Research Methods in Geography 3 3 4.0

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ELECTIVE COURSES
URP307 Actor Collaboration 3 2 3.7
PAD309 Public Relations 3 0 3.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 12.0

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER VIII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP308 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP218 Elementary Surveying 2 6 4.0
GEP334 GIS and Spatial Analysis 2 6 4.0
URP312 Field Attachment II 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP326 Introduction to Environmental Policy and Planning 2 3 3.0
GEP328 Environmental Impact Assessment 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 14.0

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER IX
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0
URP403 Regional Planning Policy and Practice 3 3 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP411 Spatial Aspects of Rural Development 3 4.5 4.5
NO ELECTIVE COURSES OFFERED THIS SEMESTER
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 11.5

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER X
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP306 Urban Informal Economy: Theory, Politics and Action 3 2 3.7
URP499 Integrated Development Planning 2 6 4.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP415 Project Planning and Management 3 0 3.0
GEP420 Applied Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing 2 6 4.0
NO ELECTIVE COURSES OFFERED THIS SEMESTER
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 14.7

LEVEL 6 SEMESTER XI
CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP401 Land and Planning Law 3 0 3.0

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REQUIRED COURSES
GEP499 Research Project 0 5 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
GEP417 Social Impact Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
GEP419 Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Analysis 3 4.5 4.5
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 5.0

LEVEL 6 SEMESTER XII

CORE COURSES
Code Course Title L P CR
URP304 Housing Theory and Policy 3 2 3.7
URP402 Professional Planning Practice and Ethics 3 0 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES
GEP499 Research Project 0 5 2.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
ACF432 Public Finance and Expenditure 3 0 3.0
GEP426 Climate Change 2 3 3.0
GEP424 Environmental Resources Management 3 3 4.0
SEMESTER CREDITS (excludes electives) 8.7

TOTAL CREDITS (excluding electives) 154.0

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5.2 Course Descriptions

5.2.1 Proposed URP Courses

Level 1 Courses
Course Code and Name: URP101 History of Human Settlements and Planning
This course provides an introduction to the history and evolution of human
Course settlements and the practice of urban and regional planning. It traces the
Description evolution of planning through successive human civilizations, namely, the
prehistory or ancient civilization, the classical civilization the medieval
civilization, and the renaissance period. It looks at the influence of the Greek and
Roman Empires and Egyptian Mythology on the evolution of planned human
settlements. It also looks at the contributions of successive industrial revolutions
from the first industrial revolution of the late 18th and early 19th century to the
current fourth industrial revolution of the digital age. The course will also look
at historical phases of urbanization, which African countries have gone through,
namely, the indigenous pre-colonial phase; the colonial phase; the post-colonial
phase; and the current phase of rapid urbanization „without‟ industrialization.

Course Code and Name: URP102 Introduction to Land-Use Planning

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to land use planning theory.
Course Land use forms the core of urban and regional planning profession, and as such,
Description it is critical to understand requirements of different land uses. Ratcliffe (1975)
summarizes that [urban and regional planning] is concerned with providing the
right site, at the right time, in the right place, for the right people. This course
will introduce students to different land uses so as to be in a better position to
provide the right sites for the right land use activities at the right places. It
introduces the basic process followed in identifying the suitability of land for
different land uses. It introduces the basic planning principles of land use
zoning, development control and regulatory techniques. It then looks at the
requirements for different land uses such as circulation and access, residential
and housing, commercial and business, industrial, public, institutional and
office, recreational and open spaces, and agricultural as well as mixed land uses.
The course introduces different land tenure systems and poperty rights and their
implications to land use planning processes and practices. It also introduces the
mandate and responsibilities of key stakeholders such as central government
ministries, municipalities, and community leadership in land use management.

Level 2 Courses
Course Code and Name: URP201 Planning Theory and Politics I
This course provides a critical introduction to understanding the politics of urban
Course and regional planning. A theoretical consideration of the history, definitions and
Description politics of planning is the main focus of this course. It introduces procedural and
substantive planning theory. It highlights controversies and competing views
surrounding the role and functions of planning. It highlights contestation
between planning for public interest and planning for private interest. The course
introduces students to the basic principles of and the reasons for urban and
regional planning. It also looks at the scope and scale of different types of plans.
It introduces theoretical models that explain urban spatial structure such as the
concentric-zone concept, sector concept, multiple-nuclei concept and others.

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Course Code and Name: URP202 Site Layout and Design
This course introduces the theory and practice of site planning and design. It
Course provides a detailed introduction of a typical planning process. It highlights
Description fundamental steps that are involved in any urban and regional planning process.
It provides students with the skills of translating theory into practice by
practically design a layout plan for a given site. The students will be engaged in
field reconnaissance to update existing maps, identification of a planning issues,
data collection and analysis and designing of a site layout plan. They will be
introduced to decision-making processes that are involved in updating and
designing a site layout plan at any spatial scale from a small shopping centre,
residential neighbourhood, an urban area or a region as a whole. They will be
introduced to the factors that need to be considered in site layout design such as
the hierarchical structure of roads, location and distribution of different land uses
(activities) based on their compatibility and incompatibility.

Course Code and Name: URP203 Drawing Skills for Planners

This course introduces students to the art, science and theory of drawing and
Course design in urban and regional planning. It introduces students to different graphic
Description techniques planners use in representing and communicating their ideas and
plans. The course exposes students to different types of media and instruments
such as papers, pens and pencils, rulers and other tools urban and regional
planners use in producing graphic and visual representations. This is a practical
course and students will be extensively engaged in hands-on exercises of
drawing using freehand techniques to the application of hands-held instruments.

Course Code and Name: URP204 Computer Aided Drafting and Design
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of drafting and design in a
Course modern and networked urban planning environment using CADD and other
Description mapping software. The course will cover the concepts and application of
orthographic projection, isometric representation, and basic dimensioning.
Topics also include line type conventions, lettering, freehand drafting, geometric
construction, sections, and auxiliary views. Students will also be introduced to
3D visualization using computer wire frame and surface modelling techniques;
working in model and paper space; drawing and viewing in 3D space; creating
3D models; using blocks with attributes; working with external references;
rendering; understanding user coordinate system; CADD software and the
Internet; advanced drawing, editing, and configuration procedures; and an
introduction to user- level system customization. This course includes classroom
instruction and laboratory activities with an urban planning orientation. Software
to be used includes AutoCAD and ArcGIS (ESRI CityEngine).

Course Code and Name: URP205 Planning and Climate Change

This course provides a foundation for understanding cities‟ exposure and
Course sensitivity to climate change, and how cities can manage climate change impacts
Description in the face of growing uncertainty. In addition to introducing students to the
basic concepts of urban resilience and adaptation, the module will also provide
students with knowledge on the different approaches for climate change
planning, introduce them to the planning process, thereby equipping them with
the necessary decision support and assessment tools for prioritizing climate

Page | 36
 change actions. The course, generally, broadens the discussion on planning for
climate change in an African context and does so by engaging learners to apply
their knowledge (and practice) in development that minimizes the harm caused
by climate change impacts, while maximizing the many human development
opportunities presented by a more resilient future.

Course Code and Name: URP206 Planning and Cultural Landscapes

The general consensus among scholars is that landscape reflects culture, thus
Course changes in the appearance of the landscape is likely to indicate changes in
Description national, regional or local cultures. Therefore, convergence in the „look‟ of
different regions indicates some convergence of cultures, hence urban planning
needs to incorporate cultural issues for it to be relevant to the African context
and if it is aimed at addressing current issues affecting African cities, without
depriving the city (and its inhabitants) of its identity and uniqueness as an
African city. This course, therefore, aims at filling up this skills gap by training
urban planners who will be culturally sensitive in their approach to urban design.
The module initiates a shift in the understanding of the role of the designer,
where now, more than ever, this role concerns adhering to a new way of thinking
about problems; one that incorporates a broader research approach in order to
fully understand problems as systems rather than individual parts so that we
begin to understand and solve the contemporary social problems affecting
African cities in context, so that African cities get the opportunity to develop as
unique cities that uphold their culture and identity.

Course Code and Name: URP208 Land and Property Economics

This course introduces the theory and policy of land as an economic resource. It
Course looks at the basic features of land as a factor of production and consumption. It
Description introduces basic models that explain locational determinats of economic
activities, urban spatial structure and urban growth. It also deals with urban land
value, property investment and investment appraisal in the private sector. The
course also looks at the political, economic, social, and environmental aspects of
urban decline and urban regeneration/renewal. Through the use of case studies
from both developed and developing countries, the course introduces urban and
regional planning policies and programmes that are aimed at urban renewal and
improvement of societal welfare in urban areas that have experienced or are
experiencing land and property decline and de-investment/de-industrialization.

Course Code and Name: URP212 Field Attachment I

A student in the Bachelor of Science Degree Programme, single major in
Course the BSc. URP degree shall be required to satisfactorily complete a six (6)
Description weeks of Internship at the end of Semester IV. A student shall be
supervised by qualified personnel within the host institution/organization
and scheduled supervisory visits shall be carried out by the Lecturers in
the Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Planning.

Level 3 Courses
Course Code and Name: URP301 Planning Theory and Politics II
This course provides an overview of main theories of urban and regional
Course planning. It introduces different schools of thought and social theories that
Description inform planning as an intellectual and professional discipline. It looks at the

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 central arguments underlying substantive planning theories such as „traditional‟
rational comprehensive planning, Charles Lindblom‟s incremental planning,
Jurgen Herbarmas‟ communicative action planning, Davidoff‟s advocacy
planning, Patsy Healey‟s collaborative planning, other evolving planning
theories as well as Marxist inspired radical planning theories such as Feminism
and Queer theory. The course also looks at competing theorization of planning
and the State. Special focus is given to the political economy of
neoliberalism/globalization and its controversial relationship with planning.

Course Code and Name: URP302 Regional Planning Principles

This course introduces the planning notion of „region‟ and how it is variously
Course defined as a geographical, spatial scale, formal, functional, or perceptual
Description phenomenon. It looks at complixities, contestantions, and contractions inherent
in the regional planning. The course discusses different theories, conceptual
models and principlies underpinning regional development planning such as
growth centre strategies, service centre strategies, core-pherifery models,
agropolital model. It looks at the principles and application of some selected
regional planning techniques such as cost-benefit analysis; planning,
programming and budgeting systems (PPBS), regional threshold analysis.

Course Code and Name: URP303 Local Economic Development

This course introduces students to strategies that show how local people could
Course work together to achieve sustainable economic growth and development which
Description results in improved quality of life for all residents in a local municipal area. It
will help students understand how national and local governments, as well as
enterprises and other organisations are rethinking development strategies aimed
at addressing ongoing development challenges that come with globalization, the
fourth industrial revolution etc. It shows the importance of inclusive local
dialogue that enables people to be more proactive; help to make local institutions
better and contribute to development. It will teach students how local people
could make economic activity dependent on the comparative advantages of their
specific territory, e.g generating development by establishing firms that are more
capable to withstand changes in the global economic environment rather than
top-down development imposed by national planners. Students are expected to
appreciate why economic development takes place in some areas of the world
and not in others? Why it does not happen in their location? What prevents
people from having the lives they want to live right where they are? How their
region could make more of the opportunities of globalization and new
technologies? As well as why the processes of decentralization in their country
fail to deliver better public services and more responsive governments?

Course Code and Name: URP304 Housing Theory And Policy

This course introduces students to the new theoretical approaches analysing
Course urban housing problems, and the policies designed to rectify them. It traces the
Description roots of serious urban housing problems such as homelessness,
abandonment, rent burdens, slums, and gentrification which had traditionally
been borne by the poorest sector of the housing market. It will show how the
roots of such problems lie in the relationships among different parts of the
market. It will generate insights into the working of local land and property
markets and provide the basis for planning policies. The course is based on the
notion that local housing market areas are composed of a system of spatially

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 defined housing submarkets which applies to an empirical analysis of housing
markets. The primary focus will be on migration patterns between and within
submarkets and the role of price structures in these processes. It will help
students understand the strategies and tools that are used for guiding decisions
taken in planning for local housing markets.

Course Code and Name: URP305 Urban Design Studio

The objective of the course is to introduce the students to the theory and practice
Course of urban design. It introduces basic urban design principles and tools and their
Description application in designing and structuring the urban landscape. It shows how the
design of cities and urban spaces can be interpreted and informed through
contemporary theories of urbanism, architecture and spatial analysis. The
students will be actively engaged in practical urban design studios. They will be
applying their critical thinking skills and creativity to design and produce visual
representations, images and physical models of urban spaces and elements.

Course Code and Name: URP306 Urban Informal Economy: Theory, Politics and Action
The informal economy characterizes most cities of the global South and remains
Course a major development challenge of the 21st century in the African city - one
Description challenge that begs for consideration in contemporary planning models and
methods. This course recognizes that the informal work, rather than being the
exception, is the dominant mode of work in African towns and cities and
generates employment to sustain poorer households. However, urban planning
models in most African cities have played a crucial role in hindering and
marginalizing the livelihood activities of the working poor, rather than
enhancing their operation. This course is premised on that argument and aims at
conscientizing aspiring urban planners (students) of the role of these unregulated
economies and further introduce students to planning models and theories that
will help in developing creative means of supporting these informal activities,
given its size and significance in the African urban economy. This course will,
therefore, help students to come up with innovative planning ideas, including the
ability to engage in participatory planning, negotiation and communication,
understanding the implications of rapid urbanization and urban informality.
Through the skills and knowledge gained in this course, students will be
equipped with the conceptual and practical tools to respond creatively to the
complex issues associated with expanding urban informal economies.

Course Code and Name: URP307 Actor Collaboration

This course is situated on the premises that African planners work in complex
Course and fast changing urban environments and across widely divergent governance
Description contexts and hence actor collaboration remains an important mechanism to bring
together a broader set of professional competencies from different disciplines in
order to deal with the complex and challenging problems of the African city.
Actor collaboration in planning is indissolubly linked to larger social questions
about power, access to resources and accountability, given that these are
increasingly concentrated in fewer and fewer hands (in both local and global
contexts). As such, approaches and methods which notate the plurality of voices
and identify the congruencies and contestations between them are essential if
African planners are to successfully navigate the fast changing environments in
which they work and harness the energies and perspectives of the poor and the
vulnerable which are increasingly the drivers of the African city. This course

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 examines how changing approaches to planning are matched by a shift in the
ways in which planners engage with people (stockholder/public participation). It
provides a background on key planning debates and the relationships between
state and none-state actors which characterize different planning approaches. It
introduces collaborative frameworks, tools and techniques which African
planners can draw on to hear different voices and better understand the contested
realities which they must navigate for the creation of sustainable African cities.

Course Code and Name: URP308 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning

This course introduces the different theories and practices on Transport
Course Infrastructure Planning (TIP). At the end of the course students are expected to
Description appreciate that TIP is a result of a research and planning exercise that is
consolidated and supported by quantitative traffic data. It will introduce students
to macroeconomic analysis methods used to ensure economic and financial
feasibility assessment planning undertaken based on passenger and freight
demand analysis, cost analysis and resulting key performance and economic
indicators among others. It will show that Transport Infrastructure Planning
requires a rigorous and methodical approach in order to achieve a balanced
transportation network and a well-integrated mobility system. The course will
provide information on how urban planning and transportation management
helps in understanding the growth and development of cities and the
corresponding transportation system for that particular area or a city. The course
also considers socio-economic and environmental issues linked to transpotation
systems such as air pollution, traffic congestion, infrastructure, etc.

Course Code and Name: URP312 Field Attachment II

A student in the Bachelor of Science Degree Programme, single major in
Course the BSc. URP degree shall be required to satisfactorily complete a six (6)
Description weeks of Internship at the end of Semester VI. A student shall be
supervised by qualified personnel within the host institution/organization
and scheduled supervisory visits shall be carried out by the Lecturers in
the Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Planning.

Level 4 Courses
Course Code and Name: URP401 Land and Planning Law
This course aims to introduce students to the ways in which law operates in their
Course society in general and in the practice of urban and regional planning specifically.
Description It thus starts broadly, after an initial introduction to the subject, with a
contextualisation of planning law which examines theories of law, the history of
planning law in Africa as well as the international dimension that applies to
planning law. This prepares the student for an exposure to the specific legal
provisions applicable in their country before concluding with an examination of
the relevant factors to consider when changing those laws. An important thread
running through the course is the message that planning law operates as part of a
wider set of laws dealing with land, the environment, local government and
infrastructure, among others. The way in which the law is used in any country
plays a central role in determining whether or not planning will have the
integrative effect that it aims to achieve.

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Course Code and Name: URP402 Professional Planning Practice and Ethics
This course introduces the students to the fundamental ethical standards
Course underpinning the planning profession. It equips them with the norms, values,
Description ethical principles, and codes of conduct of professional planning practice. It
introduces the students to the moral obligations and responsibilities of urban and
regional planners as they go about executing their duties on day-to-day basis.
It will equip them with clear understanding of their rights, duties and
responsibilities as they embark in professional practice. The course introduces
legislation, policies, institutional structures, administrative processes and
procedures regulating professional planning practice. It also introduces potential
consequencies and punitive measures of violation of the planning law and
transgression of codes of conduct of professional planning practice.

Course Code and Name: URP403 Regional Planning Policy and Practice
This course introduces the processes and practices of regional plan formulation
Course and implementation. It looks at the formulation of regional planning goals,
Description objectives, strategies and how they relate to development plans at local and
national levels. Using case studies of regional plans at different spatial scales
(e.g. within a country – the four regions of Eswatini, within a continent –
regional blocks of sub-Saharan Africa – SADC etc.) the course introduces
different stakeholders and institutional structures that are involved in the process
of regional plan formulation and implementation and roles they ought to play. It
will highlight the dynamics, complexities, controversies, relationships and
necessary compromises within the process and practice of regional planning
policy formulation and implementation. The course also looks at the legal and
administrative frameworks guiding regional planning policy and practice.

Course Code and Name: URP499 Integrated Development Planning

This practical course equips the students with fundamental skills of formulating
Course an integrated development plan (IDP) for any community or settlement. In this
Description course the students will bring together the wealthy of theoretical and practical
planning knowledge and skills they have acquired in all the courses they have
undertaken since inception. The formulation and preparation of an integrated
development plans entails a detailed consideration of all the aspects of
sustainable human settlements, namely, socio-cultural, economic, political, and
environmental aspects. This course is a team-based project that requires
coordinated collaborative efforts. The students will therefore work as a team
(through the guidance of all staff members) to undertake all the tasks leading to
the formulation of a mini IDP for a chosen local community. The resultant mini
IDP will be a product of community engagement and participatory processes.

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 5.2.2 Existing and Proposed GEP Courses

Level 1 Courses
Course Code and Name: GEP111 Introduction to the Natural Environment
Environmental systems and their interactions with the human environment. The
Course universe and its history. The fundamental forces and processes operating in the
Description atmosphere. Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere. Current environmental
concerns in the Southern African region. Map reading and interpretation of
various types of maps. Introduction to fieldwork.

Course Code and Name: GEP112 Introduction to the Human Environment

The interrelationship between the environment and Human beings‟economic,
Course social, and cultural activities. The Human Population. Culture and Spatial
Description Diffusion. Urbanization. Territorial conflicts. Graphical representation of
geographical data. Demographic Measures and techniques. Reproduction and
population models. Land Use Changes. Indicators for welfare and inequality.
Transport Systems. Diffusion. Territoriality. Introduction to Fieldwork.

Level 2 Courses
Course Code and Name: GEP217 Introduction to Cartography
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of cartography. It covers
Course topics such as Earth coordinate systems, scale, map compilation; cartographic
Description symbolism, cartographic design; typography and lettering, and map projections.
Lastly, it looks at technological advancements; introducing GIS. Students
undertake exercises that help them grasp cartographic skills in use of
cartographic design.

Course Code and Name: GEP218 Elementary Surveying

Introduction to surveying; signals and symbols. Surveying instruments: linear,
Course angular, slope, area, height measurements and levelling instruments. Surveying:
Description triangulation, compass traversing; levelling and plane table techniques.
Exercises on the use of surveying instruments, signals and symbols. Practicals
are a combination of lab-based and field-based exercises, focusing on data
collection techniques, and data analysis, as well as presentation.

Course Code and Name: GEP219 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

This course aims at introducing students to the GIS technology, both as a skill
Course and as a field; its components, applications, data types, as well as how data can
Description be produced/collected, stored, retrieved, explored and analysed, and presented.
This is achieved through giving the student the basics of the subject through
hands-on rigorous practical exercises, using different GIS software (both
commercial and open source). Practical sessions are designed to help students
practice the functions (stages) of the GIS process; from data capturing, storage,
querying, analysis, to display and presentation for an end user (client). Practicals
also introduce students to different GIS software and data products.

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Course Code and Name: GEP224 Statistical Measures and Analysis
Statistical concepts. Data and data collection methods. Samples and sampling
Course techniques. Descriptive statistics. Comparison measures. Relationship analysis.
Description Trends analysis. Spatial statistics. Computer applications. Exercises in statistical
data collection techniques and analysis.

Course Code and Name: GEP225 Geormophology 1

An introductory course to geomorphology. Tthe study of landforms and
Course processes which have produced and modified them. The relationship between
Description the properties of the earth materials as well as the processes resulting from
forces acting on them such as gravity, wing, water, ice, waves and human
beings. A wide range of geomorphology topics such as weathering, fluvial and
glacial processes, mass wasting, and tectonics among others. The conceptual and
theoretical basis of geomorphology. Field excursion and practical exercises
present students with contemporary problems which they have to solve using the
critical thinking skills and theoretical expertise they have gained. Students
should be able to use the basic principles of geomorphology to understand,
predict, and manage landscape changes.

Course Code and Name: GEP228 Population and Cultural Geography

This course is divided into two parts. The first part is on population geography.
Course The analysis and the implications of population change have long occupied
Description researchers from a wide range of fields. The approach in this course will be to
emphasize the geographical perspective of population. Geographical concepts
such as location, accessibility, distance and interaction will be emphasized. The
second part of the course focuses on cultural geography. Until recently,
emphasis has been on material culture, especially those aspects that have
tangible impact on the land but since 1960s there have been new directions. The
traditional emphases have been retained, but there has been more concern with
inner working of culture. Therefore the approach in this course will be to
emphasize the underlying forces that condition human behavior especially those
affecting human relations with physical environment.

Level 3 Courses
Course Code and Name: GEP313 Research Methods in Geography
Nature of scientific knowledge. The research process. Literature sources. Types
Course and methods of research. Sources of data. Research Project formulation.
Description Research design. Preparation of research instruments. Sampling techniques.
Measurement and scaling. Data collection for qualitative and quantitative
analysis. Field surveys. Analysis and interpretation. Presentation of research
findings. Research project formulation; report writing and field work exercises.

Course Code and Name: GEP326 Introduction to Environmental Policy & Planning
This course will introduce students to the linkages between environment and
Course planning focusing more on policy issues. The course will take students through
Description the processes of environmental policy formulation and key stakeholders that
need to be involved. The course will also have handson exercises aimed at
equipping the students with the practical aspects of translating theoretical
knowledge into policy documents. The exercises will largely involve selection of

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 environmental issues and formulating a mini policy briefs through the process of
stakeholder consultation and engagement.

Course Code and Name: GEP327 Introduction to Remote Sensing

Electromagnetic spectrum. Image display and radiometric enhancement.
Course Geometric correction. Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in agriculture;
Description urban and regional planning; population; forestry and land use. Field visits:
radiance, atmospheric, geometric and terrain correction. Map projections;
advanced vector and raster processing. Real world practical scenarios for
integration of GIS, Remote Sensing and Cartography. Exercises in data
collection, correction, clipping, masking, mosaicking. Students will also be
introduced to the applications of Remote Sensing, with a focus on image
classification.

Course Code and Name: GEP328 Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduction and Background to EIA; Law Policy and Institutional
Course Arrangements; Identification of Issues, Public Participation & Stakeholder
Description Involvement; Screening; Scoping & Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies;
Identification and Review of Alternatives; Environmental Impacts Evaluation;
Impact Mitigation and Abatement; Development of Environmental Management
Programmes; Decision making and writing Conditions of Approval; Appeals,
implementation and compliance monitoring. Practical work assisting students
master the skill of undertaking a risk assessment of the environments.

Course Code and Name: GEP334 GIS and Spatial Analysis

Background to spatial analysis in Geography; a short discussion on spatial data;
Course spatial autocorrelation; modifiable areal unit problem; basic geometrical
Description frameworks for describing and analysing phenomena in space; distance metrics;
gridded space; overlay analysis; suitability analysis; Boolean and continuous
classification; networks; shortest path through a network; errors and uncertainty
in geographical data. Practical work to assist students experience and master the
skill of perfoming a spatial analysis; the different techniques that can be used,
and functions.

Level 4 Courses
Course Code and Name: GEP411 Spatial Aspects of Rural Development
This course explores the topic of rural development in historical and
Course contemporary perspectives. It looks at how the rural poor in developing
Description countries have been both included and excluded from development over time.
The course considers the various approaches that inform rural development
policy-making and practice from those considered to be top-down to those
considered to be bottom-up and people oriented. It explores rural development
from a broader perspective without confining itself to the spatial aspects.
However, the land question remains a central aspect in rural development policy
and practice and as such this course looks at the complexities, controversies, and
contestations surrounding rural land and in/security of tenure in Africa countries.
The course also looks at the interconnections between rural and urban areas.

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Course Code and Name: GEP417 Social Impact Analysis
The course will introduce students to the frameworks and practical tools,
Course techniques and approaches applied in analysing and measuring social impacts of
Description development projects and programmes. The course examines some of the key
social impact measurement approaches increasingly used in development
projects, with special emphasis on those applied in development projects in the
global South (Although these will be contrasted with those applied in the North).
Students will be equipped with the ability to be able to articulate short-term
outcomes and long-term goals and connect them to quantifiable metrics that
helps support decision making in various sectors so as to reduce potential social
impacts of development projects. Students will get an opportunity to employ
various approaches to assessments of impacts and examine different types of
development projects to assess their impacts on culture, social structures,
institutions, livelihoods and quality of life, among others.

Course Code and Name: GEP419 Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis
Introduction to issues of disaster risk management. Looks into detail at risk as a
Course function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability. It assist students appreciate that
Description less developed nations have higher risk due to factors such as geographic
location, vulnerability of economic activities, fragile infrastructure, among
others. Further covers risk management strategies. Through practical work,
students will undertake risk assessment exercises at different levels of analyses,
i.e. place or regional levels.

Course Code and Name: GEP420 Applied GIS and Remote Sensing
Having introduced students to GIS and Remote Sensing, and further given those
Course advanced techniques in both, students are taught how these techniques are
Description applied. The course shall require each student to develop a mobile application of
their choice that can be used either for collecting, storing, analysing, and sharing
of geospatial data. Students will also be assigned a mini project where they fully
apply the skills and techniques learnt; choose a topic of their choice, develop a
problem, collect data, analyse, and eventually present their results report in a
form of a scientific paper.

Course Code and Name: GEP424 Environmental Resources Management

Principles, concepts and economics of land evaluation. Land characteristics and
Course qualities. Land capability and suitability. Classification systems. Principles of
Description land and water resources, conservation and management. Remote sensing and
GIS in land surveys and data analysis. Traditional and modern systems of
environmental management. Environmental Impact assessment. Land
management in Eswatini and Southern Africa. Application of the principles of
resource management and impact assessment.

Course Code and Name: GEP426 Climate Change

Components of the climate system: Atmosphere, hydrosphere, Cryosphere,
Course Biosphere and Lithosphere. Concepts of climate change. Techniques for
Description reconstruction of past climates: the climate record, post glacial climate change.
Causes of climate change: external and external causes of climate change.
Internal human-induced causes of climate change. Techniques in reconstruction
of past climates. Field exercises in identifying impacts of climate change.

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Course Code and Name: GEP499 Research Project I & II
The collection through field work and analysis of data by the student. Detailed
Course review of literature must be demonstrated. Cartographic skills must be applied.
Description Data must be presented and reported as an examination paper. In consultation
with the supervisor, the student/s will decide on the project, tasks involved and
its completion schedule.

5.2.3 Existing Courses from other Departments

Level 1 Courses

General Education Courses – taken by all first students

1. ACS111 Academic Communication Skills: English for Academic Purposes
2. GNS113 HIV Prevention, Infection & Management of AIDS
3. ACS112 Academic Communication Skills: English for Specific Purposes
4. CSC101 Computer Skills Foundation

Course Code and Name: MAT107 Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Arithmetic and Geometric
Course Progressions. Mathematical Induction. The Binomial Theorem. Polynomials.
Description Trigonometric Functions. Complex Numbers. Plane Geometry. Introduction to
Matrix Algebra. Students will work (individually or in groups) through a
selection of problems in each of the topics listed above, in the presence of the
instructor who will offer assistance to those with difficulties.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be informed that the Department of Geography, Environmental

Science and Planning is currently in discussions with the Faculties and respective Departments
offering the courses listed below, and as such, we do not yet have the course descriptions.

Course Code and Name: SOC111 Introduction to Sociology I

Course
Description

Course Code and Name: SOC111 Introduction to Sociology II

Course
Description

Course Code and Name: ECO101 Principles of Microeconomics

Course
Description

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Course Code and Name: ECO102 Principles of Macroeconomics

Course
Description

Course Code and Name: PAD102 Introduction to Public Administration

Course
Description

Level 2 Courses
Course Code and Name: POL205 Gender and Public Policy

Course
Description

Level 3 Courses
Course Code and Name: PAD309 Public Relations

Course
Description

Level 4 Courses
Course Code and Name: ACF432 Public Finance And Expenditure

Course
Description

Page | 47
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