Urban And Environmental Planning

Urban and environmental planning is the discipline concerned with how land, space, and the built environment are organised, developed, and managed to serve the needs of communities now and in the future. Planners work at the intersection of geography, society, economics, and environmental science, making decisions that shape where people live and work, how they move around cities, what happens to natural and green spaces, and how communities adapt to challenges such as climate change, housing shortages, and urban growth. The profession requires both technical knowledge and the ability to balance competing interests in the public good.

At London South Bank University, this three-year, full-time programme develops the skills you need to understand how geography, society, and sustainability intersect in town planning. You will study the planning system and its legal and policy frameworks, land use and development, urban design, environmental impact, community engagement, and the principles of sustainable development. London's status as one of the world's most complex and constantly evolving cities makes it an exceptional place to study planning, and the programme draws on the city as a living laboratory for the ideas and challenges the curriculum addresses.

Guest lecturers from professional practice add real-world perspective to your academic studies.

A typical entry tariff of 104 points reflects an accessible admissions threshold for a professionally oriented programme. There is currently a national shortage of qualified planners, and demand from both the public and private sectors is strong, meaning graduates enter a labour market with genuine opportunities. Careers include roles as planning officers in local authorities, planning consultants in private practice, development managers in property companies, transport planners, and sustainability consultants.

Professional membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is the standard career milestone, and the programme provides the academic foundation for that pathway. Postgraduate study in urban planning, sustainable development, or environmental management is also a well-travelled route.