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Town and Regional Planning

Town and Regional Planning Handbook

Mission
Academic Programmes
Community Programmes
Short Courses
Research
Events and News

Introduction
The discipline of Town and Regional Planning forms part of the built environment profession and provides a significant service element to the construction sector. The profession underpins the development work of local government in South Africa in particular and contributes to housing projects, infrastructural development, township establishment, local economic development, industrial development, environmental considerations, rehabilitation, revitalization and urban renewal, rural development, amongst others, and has local, regional and continental reach.

The importance of this profession is articulated in the development agenda of government policy and impacts on society at large. The Planning profession is a relatively small sector with approximately 2000 professionals in the field, (approximately 1150 professionally registered with the South African Council for Planners) yet the contribution that this sector makes to development is significant. A shortage of skilled Planners has been identified as one of the challenges for the Planning profession, especially with the advent of new municipal structures throughout the country, the economic and social development challenges of poverty, unemployment, housing and service delivery. Similarly, the 6% economic growth rate target set by government will continue to have pressure on human resource capacity in the built environment.

The Department of Town and Regional Planning has, since the early 1990’s, understood the developmental challenge in the built environment and rural areas and attempted to make a meaningful contribution to meet the reconstruction and development needs in the profession, the wider community and the country.

Departments

Head of Department:
Mrs T Gordon
Secretary: Ms V Rabbiechun
Tel: 031 373 2673
Fax: 031 373 2805
E-mail: vashna@dut.ac.za
Location: Steve Biko Campus, S3 L4

Central Applications Office Website (C.A.O)

South Africa is undergoing transition to a democracy. This transition has brought to the fore numerous socio-political and economic problems. These problems are characterised by increasing rates of urbanisation, lack of housing, homelessness, growing unemployment, lack of facilities, economic deprivation of sections of our population and many more. It is in this changing environment that the planning profession must carry out its work. This poses enormous problems and places a great deal of responsibility on planning theorists, practitioners and technicians alike.

Courses Offered
The Durban University of Technology offers a three-year Town & Regional Planning Diploma and a one-year post Degree B.Tech: Town & Regional Planning that allows students the opportunity to learn technical, creative and relevant skills, which can be applied in a socially responsible way in our changing society.

National Diploma: Town & Regional Planning
The National Diploma: Town & Regional Planning is a three-year course. This is based on three one-year levels, i.e., two academic (Years One & Three) and experiential (Year Two) sandwiched between them. This course is offered on a full-time basis. The first and third years comprise full-time study at the Durban Institute of Technology, while the second year entails working for a firm of Town & Regional Planners, or government department under supervision of a professional planner whilst studying part-time.

Bachelor of Technology: Town & Regional Planning
The B.Tech: Town & Regional Planning comprises a one-year course. This course will be offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. However, prospective students should make enquiries first about the options available before finalising their study plans.

Admission Requirements
A national Senior Certificate or recognised equivalent qualification.

Selection Procedure
It is the policy of the Durban University of Technology that all persons who apply for study at this Institution shall be subjected to a selection procedure as determined by the University from time to time.

Compulsory subjects for entry to the course are:
English, Mathematics, Geography

Recommended subjects are:
History, Technical Drawing, Biology

In addition to the above admission requirements, students will be selected on their potential for the course.

Introduction and Selection Programme into the National Diploma: Town and Regional Planning
All conditionally approved applicants are required to attend an Introduction and Selection Programme, which is held annually.

The selection of students is based upon:

  • Aptitude exercises and drawing test (all the necessary drawing equipment will be provided)
  • Creative work: It would be advantageous to bring a portfolio which may include drawings, sketches, paintings, photographic work, handmade objects or any form of creative work.
  • A questionnaire and/or interview by the Department.

Career Opportunities from this Activity
The work of a Town & Regional Planning Technician is of a diverse nature and embraces, inter alia, surveying tasks, planning surveys, the analysis and presentation of data by means of maps, graphs, diagrams and sketches, assistance in the preparation of town planning schemes and the construction of scale models for proposed schemes. There is also an increasing demand for planners to develop and use community participation models and methods in their everyday work. Town & Regional Planning Technicians are employed by planning firms, local and provincial authorities and the civil service, and service organisations.

The following are planning and professional organisations that graduates are encouraged to join:

South African Planning Institute (SAPI)
Tel: 011 781 2870
Fax: 011 381 2875
Email: sapi@worldonline.co.za

South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN)
P O Box 1084
Halfway house 1685
Tel: 011 318 0437 / 011 318 0460
Fax: 011 403 9503
Email: planner@sacplan.co.za

Diplomates are encouraged to join the Council and Institute, which provide a forum for technicians and planners. During the course of your studies, students will be advised of the activities of the various fraternal planning organizations and how it benefits students and graduates to become members thereof.

Applications to this programme must be made via the Central Applications Office (CAO):
Tel: 031 268 4444
Web: http://www.cao.ac.za

Outreach

Community based programmes offered by the department (outreach)

The department assists in a variety of ways with communities and individuals seeking advice, and directing them to the correct professional services. Staff are involved in community outreach programmes including the upgrading of the Isipingo Rail area and Wentworth housing project, assisting the Seaview Conservation Group. Within the institution, staff are involved in providing professional services to the DUT Physical and Infrastructure Planning Work Group.