Introduction Spatial Planning

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

Cities are formed by social, spatial, political, economic and environmental dynamics, but also by planning interventions. The style, method, and tradition of planning interventions have changed over time. In this course, students gain insight into the change from modernist top-down and design-oriented planning approaches to the more bottom-up, society-oriented approaches of today. Second, students are introduced to the field of work of planning and the role of planners in policy-making from a broader urban governance perspective. Third, students learn about contemporary planning approaches and theories, in particular in regard to planning for sustainable and just cities. The following questions are central to this course:

1) What is planning?

2) Who are planners?

3) What do planners do?

Study materials

Literature

• Each lecture has two articles (or book chapters) as required reading.

   

  Many articles are published in the following book, which can be bought for €21 or read online via the university library:

  Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2016). Readings in Planning Theory. (4th edition) John Wiley & Sons.

   

  Lecture 1: Introduction to the planning discipline

  Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (2016) Introduction. The structures and debates of planning theory. In: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons.

  Marcuse, P. (2011). The three historic currents of city planning. Chapter 6 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons.

   

  Seminar 1: Sustainability transitions in Amsterdam

  Gemeente Amsterdam (2024). Bouwen aan de buurten van de toekomst. Ontwikkelstrategie 2035. (Spatial development strategy 2035). City of Amsterdam, Amsterdam.

   

  Lecture 2: City visions
  

  Fishman, R. (1982). Urban utopias in the twentieth Century: Ebenezer Howard, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Le Corbusier. Chapter 1 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons.

  Jacobs, J. (1961) The death and life of great American cities. Chapter 4 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFillippis, J. (Eds.) (2015) Readings in Planning Theory . John Wiley & Sons.

   

  Lecture 3: Sustainable spatial planning
  

  Broto, V. C. (2017). Urban governance and the politics of climate change. World development, 93, 1-15.

  Campbell, S. (1996). Green cities, growing cities, just cities?: Urban planning and the contradictions of sustainable development. Chapter 11 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons. 

   

  Lecture 4: Post-growth planning practices
  

  Næss, P. (2023). Urban sustainability responsibilities of the European planning profession in the next decades. European Planning Studies, 1-12.

  Williams, J. (2019). Circular cities. Urban Studies, 56(13), 2746-2762.

   

  Lecture 5: Social justice

  Fainstein, S. (2013). Spatial Justice & Planning. Chapter 13 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons. 

  Sandercock, L. (2009). Towards a Cosmopolitan Urbanism: From theory to practice. Chapter 20 in: Fainstein, S. S., & DeFilippis, J. (Eds.). (2015). Readings in Planning Theory. John Wiley & Sons. 

   

  Lecture 6: The Dutch planning system
  

  Korthals Altes, W. K. (2016). Planning reform beyond planning: the debate on an integrated Environment and Planning Act in the Netherlands. Planning Practice & Research, 31(4), 420-434.

  Zonneveld & Evers (2014) Dutch national spatial planning at the end of an era. Chapter 4 in: Reimer et al (2014) Spatial Planning Systems and Practices in Europe: A Comparative Perspective on Continuity and Change. Available online via the University library.

Syllabus

• Please see the full course outline published at the Canvas page

Objectives

• Explain the spatial dimension of socio-environmental challenges related to for instance renewable energy production, climate adaptation, and the circular economy.
• Explain the discipline of spatial planning and its historical development.
• Analyse different roles and instruments of the spatial planner in guiding sustainable spatial development.
• Critically reflect on the role of planners in guiding sustainable spatial developments.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Self-study
• Fieldwork/excursion

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

For this course, an attendance requirement applies to the three seminars. During the seminars, the four learning objectives are addressed. The guidance and exercises during seminars ensure that the learning objectives can be achieved. These are tested in the exam.

An attendance requirement also applies to the excursion, as this addresses learning objectives 2-3-4. These are also tested in the exam.

Assessment

The exam will consist of 4 open questions covering the the lectures, the assigned readings, and the seminars.

Please note that students can only participate in the exam if they have attended the three seminars.

Assessment diagram

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years are recommended to participate in the seminars, but this is not required. They are expected to participate in the excursion.

Inspection of assessed work

The course coordinator will plan an inspection moment of the exam for those interested, one week after the results of the exam are announced. This moment will be communicated via Canvas.

Assignments

This course has weekly individual Perusall assignments that facilitate students with a close reading of the course literature. Students are asked to engage with the readings by putting comments and questions, and highlighting interesting parts.

The first seminar comes with a small preparatory assignment in order to have a more productive seminar.

During the seminar, students will often work in small groups on small assignments. The assignments will not be graded, but active participation is expected.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

It is important that everyone feels safe at the UvA and Future Planet Studies. We are committed to provide social safety and we offer various forms of support for people experiencing inappropriate or unsafe situations. Consult the UvA website or Future Planet Studies Canvas page for more information and contact info.

Last year's student feedback

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Jannes Willems

Staff

• Judith Nijman, MSc.
• Pleuni Stigther, MSc.