Abstract:

Spatial and town planning is a complex process caused by the interaction between natural and social systems at different temporal and spatial scales. That is the reason why it is difficult to introduce this subject to students studying other than spatial planning or urban disciplines. The main problem is to define goals, the scope and expected educational effects. The second step is to choose the appropriate teaching and assessment methods. In this paper authors introduce the spatial and urban planning issues presented to students of engineering course at Geodesy and Cartography, Gdansk University of Technology.

On one hand to gain a better chance in labour market, some of students of Geodesy and Cartography decide to continue their studies on Spatial Economy. As engineers associated with the land use planning community have backgrounds in different disciplines, some students also decide to join them. They find the job in spatial planning offices, because of their knowledge in the creation of maps and map data, data processing using GIS, projecting complex land consolidations and other abilities. On the other hand, students are expected to be potential investors and users of the spatial space.Thus the mail goal of teaching spatial and urban planning is to prepare students for both better competitiveness in labour market and public engagement in planning.

To achieve the goals, a variety of learning activities have been introduced. The issues of spatial and urban planning are introduced not only during the single courses but also during group and individual practices and trainings in cooperation with Gdynia Spatial Planning Office. Each year, a few students also prepares their diploma projects referring to both geodesy and spatial or urban planning.

Some issues of spatial and urban planning are partly introduced during courses for example Real Estate Cadastre and Land and Buildings Register or Geodesy and Building Law. But the main course is Basis of Spatial and Town Planning. The course is worth 2 ECTS credits, and it is delivered through group project work and based on case-based learning.

This article presents the essence, goals and tasks of the spatial and town planning as well as the applicable approaches and methods of teaching, their correlation and effects. The authors describe the structure of the Basis of Spatial and Town Planning course and detailed account of the role and importance of students practices and trainings, especially moderated by their potential future employers. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of all activities will be used as guidelines for future improvements spatial and urban planning teaching process.

Keywords:

Spatial planning, urban planning, geodesy and cartography, methods of teaching.