Urban and Regional Planning
CPUT is the only university in South Africa that offers diploma qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning, with a unique opportunity to gain work-placed learning experience. Due to changes to the higher education environment in South Africa, and the associated nationwide transition to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), CPUT has phased out the National Diploma, BTech and MTech. These qualifications were replaced by the HEQSF-aligned Diploma, the Advanced Diploma and the Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, respectively.
Planners deal with the allocation of activities in geographical space. In consultation with communities and other stakeholders, Planners, for instance, decide on the location of residential homes, religious buildings (e.g. churches and mosques), schools, shops, sports grounds, parks and so on. The ultimate aim of planning is to improve people's living conditions and livelihoods. In other words, people are at the centre of Planning activities.
Students will enjoy the courses offered by the department if they are well-organised, enjoy working with data, maps and graphs, and have an interest in the development and growth of human settlements.
- Private firms: where graduates work with teams of Planners and other professionals.
- Public sector: where graduates can work in local, provincial or national government.
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): where graduates work with other professionals to contribute to the empowerment of communities.
