AG210X Degree Project in Regional Planning, Second Cycle 30.0 credits

Subject description

Regional Planning is a cross-disciplinary interest field. It concerns theories and methods regarding development planning based on an insight to related social, economic and environmental processes and phenomena. The subject deals with planning at many levels, from local to the national and, in turn to international. Special emphasis is placed on theories and methods that are applied to the shaping and evaluation of urban settlements in a regional context.

The complex nature of regional development and its planning requires that connectivity and interplay between different components of planning determine theoretical and methodological approach and choice investigatory techniques. Focus of inquiry is in the organisation and substance of national, regional and municipal planning in globalisation context. Theoretical and methodological interest areas of special significance include analyses of goal conflict and the implementation of plans in negotiation based economies.

Contents of thesis work

A thesis work shall constitute the equivalent of 20 weeks of full-time study. It shall contain: clear problem formulation, well developed theoretical framework, operational, methodological approach, rigorous analyses, clear result/finding/outcome presentation and comprehensive discussion of the result/finding/outcome in relation to problem, theory, method and way forward.

Suggestions for a thesis topic may be proposed by the student, a potential supervisor or an external interested party. A synopsis by the student should propose the interim idea of problem, context, theory, method and anticipated result of the thesis on at least one A4-size sheet. The department will appoint supervisor and examiner for the student’s research area. The supervisor and the examiner may in exceptional cases, after decision by the head of the department, be the same person.

In consultation with the appointed supervisor, the student develops the synopsis and prepares a time and activities plan for the thesis work. An interim, and thus over the thesis period changeable, contents list of the envisaged chapters and sections of the thesis should accompany the plan. In partial fulfilment towards approval of the thesis work course, the student’s defence of her/his own thesis at a public final seminar must have been carried out to the satisfaction of the examiner.

The aim of the course is to enable the student to apply knowledge gained from previous course work to the broad interest of regional planning. Its objective is to provide an opportunity for the student to realise his/her skills to conduct independent research into a specific research concerning the general interest field of regional planning. The student will also formulate research problem, define researchable questions and finding answers for the defined researchable questions.

The thesis project shall form a deepened study in the regional planning field in part fulfilments towards Master of Science in Engineering, Degree programme in Surveying, Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering and Urban Management. This means that the student has studied and completed the major part of the programme courses in specialisations of Urban Planning, Spatial Planning or Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure. It is the duty of the examiner to check that the prerequisites have been fulfilled. Students from KTH-Schools besides School of Architecture and Built Environment needs to get approval from their School in order to be registered on a Master's Project in Regional Planning.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• XUPP - Examination Question, 30.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

In partial fulfilment towards approval of the thesis work course, a thesis work shall comprise: own thesis writing, defence of own thesis at a public final seminar, opposition of a fellow student’s thesis as presented at a public final seminar and publication of own approved thesis.

Maria Håkansson

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.