Msc/MPhil

Transportation Planning

satakyi — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:29:37 +0000

Transportation Planning satakyi Fri, 12/20/2019 - 11:29

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil

Programme Duration

2 Years

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

satakyi — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:36:22 +0000

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation satakyi Tue, 12/17/2019 - 12:36

Overview

There is growing demand on technocrats who handle development programmes and projects to come up with more efficient ways of: steering the processes involved in the planning, implementation and management of development interventions; identifying and addressing problems that crop up before, during and after implementation of such interventions; assessing the outcomes and impacts of programmes and projects; and providing useful and timely information for policy makers. These trends have culminated in a steady shift towards specialization and the emergence of new fields of training to tackle various aspects of development interventions, including project management, monitoring and evaluation, procurement management, risk management, among others. In recent times, the government, development partners and development-oriented Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are increasingly putting emphasis on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) as part of their quest for efficiency in the formulation, implementation and management of their policies, programmes and projects. The programme is designed to equip students with the techniques and skills needed to approach monitoring and evaluation not as stand-alone management functions but as integral parts of the development planning process both in academia and policy-oriented research.

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil

Programme Duration

2 Years

Development Studies

sbaning.reg@knustedu.gh — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:26:24 +0000

Development Studies sbaning.reg@kn… Thu, 03/29/2018 - 12:26

PDS 551 Development Theories and Strategies

This course is designed to help students analyse the shifting “development” paradigms and policy prescriptions designed to bring about positive change and thereby developing the human potentials. In addition, it seeks to equip students with the skills to evaluate the degrees of success and failures of the development strategies emanating from development thinkers to guide development. Students of the programme will be able to evaluate the applicability of these theories and the associated strategies to developing countries particularly Ghana.

PDS 553 Governance and Development

At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:

An ability to analyse and evaluate the shifting nature of the role of the state in development;
An ability to analyse theoretical and policy understandings of the role of the state and governance in development;
An understanding of the political context in which development policy is formulated and implemented at the national and international level; and
An understanding of the various levels of international and national institutions involved in global and national governance.

PDS 555 Project Analysis and Appraisal Methods

The role of projects in the development process. Techniques of project identification and preparation and preparation, feasibility studies, forecasting techniques, choice of technology, scale and location, cost estimation. Financial and commercial appraisal, discounting and investment decision criteria, risk and sensitivity analysis, social and cost benefits analysis, project financing and promotion, Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Implementation and Management-network analysis, project monitoring. Ex-post evaluation.

PDS 557 Political Economy of Development

This course is primarily concerned with various issues bothering the interaction between politics, economics as well as society and culture. It deals with current empirical reality, theory, concepts, history and the current governance and policy problems of development, poverty, and inequality. The course introduces participants to a range of contemporary issues in development. It takes a critical and political economy approach to the processes of economic and human development, emphasizing the interaction of politics with the economy, as well as society and culture. The course introduces participants to different strands of development theory and the debates between these different stands. The course focuses upon the way these different theoretical approaches have shaped development relations, processes, institutions, and policies; the trends and assessment of poverty, inequality and development; and the politics of interaction between the developing and developed world. The course will equip students with the skills to appreciate the interactions and the linkages between politics, the economy, society and culture and how these linkages shape development.

PDS 559 Gender and Development

By the end of this semester, students should know the genealogy of gender and development. In addition, students will be exposed to the key analytical concepts in the study of gender and development such as gender, empowerment, patriarchy, identity, public private spheres, feminism, essentialism, informality, reproduction, subjectivities, discourse, governmentality, feminisation of poverty, intersectionality. Students taking this course will know how to locate these concepts in a critical discussion of gender and development in a particular country.

PDS 561 Quantitative Methods

This course is designed to equip students with the basic analytical and statistical skills relevant to the formulation, implementation, management and evaluation of nation and sectoral measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation and regression analysis, estimation of parameters and various computer software like EXCEL, SPSS for comprehensive statistical analysis and the presentation of data and macro-economic model building and design shall be emphasized.

PDS 563 Development Planning Process

The nature of planning, private and public planning, planning by governments. The historical development of national planning. The meaning and basic characteristics of the planning process. Stages of the planning process. Grassroot planning, the concept of participation. The role of the planner, the planning process at the national, regional and district level in Ghana, the role of the planning agencies at the district level. The policy of decentralization of the planning system. Fiscal implications of planning at the different levels of government. The implications of the new planning system for administration.

PDS 550 Planning Surveys and Research Methods

The course exposes students to principles and techniques for conducting scientific research. It assumes that students have basic knowledge in research methods and therefore builds on that foundation. Students are further exposed to some practical issues in research design and management, the emerging challenges of participatory research and the increasing role of computers in the processing and management of data. It covers different types of research, principles of research design, major schools of thought regarding research approaches, determination of data needs and collection methods, analysis and synthesis of data, report writing and preparation of research proposals.

PDS 552 Financing Development

This course studies the roles of finance and financial systems for economic growth in developing countries. Students will be exposed to past experiences in various parts of the world in relation to the relationship between rapid and efficient growth paths and stable financial systems. This course reexamines these experiences systematically in order to acquire deeper insights into the interrelationships between finance and economic development. Students will be equipped with a comprehensive overview of economic development finance practices in the United States and develop a knowledge base and skills to either be a development finance practitioner or apply economic development finance approaches to other fields of planning and community development.

PDS 554 Development Economics

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate familiarity with some central themes and issues of economic development
Demonstrate the understanding of the difference between growth and development, major growth theories, the measurement of inequality, significance of agriculture in developing countries, poverty and population issues facing the world, international trade, and importance of foreign aid.
Analyse empirical evidence on the patterns of economic development
Read critically the journal literature in the area of economic development.

PDS 556 Social Policy Analysis

The nature of social policy analysis, the process of analysis in social policy formulation involving the analysis of issues particularly relevant to social policy formulation; Measurement techniques for social policy analysis (income distribution, Lorenz Curve and Gini Coefficient, Real and Money incomes. The problem of international comparisons, the concept of levels of living, the concept of poverty and poverty alleviation strategies. The concept of cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness. Employment and under employment. The role of women; women as producers and reproducers. The meaning and use of social indicators, the search for meaningful measures of development, different types of indicators. The Physical Quality of Life Index, the role of social policy division of the NDPC.

PDS 558 Climate Change and Development

This course provides students with an understanding of the science, politics and developmental implications of climate change and disasters, focusing on the perspectives of poor households, communities and developing countries. Students will assess the overlaps between disasters, climate change and poverty, focusing on climate change adaptation and disaster risk-reduction approaches, critically analysing options to reduce negative effects and harness opportunities. Students will also examine the social, political and economic drivers of vulnerability, considering how policy processes at different scales influence risk management activities and local coping strategies.

PDS 560 Methods of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

This course aims at providing students with the basic understanding of the EIA process as it is used for research, planning, project or program evaluation, monitoring, and regulatory enforcement. It also seeks to introduce students to the legal, economic, social, administrative and technical process of preparing and/or evaluating environmental impact documents. Students will able to relate the uses of scientific research to practical situations in project planning and decision making. Students will be provided with the experience and training in environmental planning and related professions.

PDS 562 Introduction to GIS for Development Policy Planners

This course introduces the concepts and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It also teaches the essential skills of spatial data management, analysis, and visualization using the ArcGIS software package. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the fundamental concepts of a GIS including spatial data models, spatial analysis, and cartographic principles. They will also gain hands-on training in spatial data collection, editing, transformation, and mapping, as well as spatial analysis operations such as location-based query, address geocoding, terrain and watershed analysis, spatial interpolation, best site selection, least cost path delineation, and a number of other GIS modeling techniques.

PDS 564 Dissertation (MSc Students Only)

This guided research on planning and development issues is aimed at building the capacities of MSc students in carrying out independent research. The students are expected to apply the knowledge acquired in other courses by defining, researching and addressing an issue related in a recognizable framework of development planning theory and practice. The candidate is expected to liaise with staff for direction and subsequently work closely with their thesis supervisors.

PDS 651/652 Thesis (MPhil Students Only)

This guided research on planning and development issues constitutes the core of the Master of Philosophy programmes. It is intended to build the capacities of the students in carrying out advanced and independent research. The students are expected to apply the knowledge acquired in the courses they took in year one by defining, researching and addressing an issue related in a recognizable framework of development planning theory and practice. The candidates are expected to liaise with staff for direction and subsequently work closely with their thesis supervisors.

Overview

The MSc/MPhil Development Studies Programme was designed to provide students with the range of skills necessary for a career in urban planning. The programme aims at graduates who wants a career in development studies and planning, either in the public or private sector.

The programme also provided students with the core knowledge, competencies and skills necessary to become a planning and development professional. Currently, the programme has been revised to include more taught courses thus providing graduates with an understanding of the full range of professional skills relevant for practice, as well as specialist competencies.

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil

Programme Duration

2 Years

Planning

sbaning.reg@knustedu.gh — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:57:27 +0000

Planning sbaning.reg@kn… Thu, 03/29/2018 - 11:57

PLG 551 Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities

Green infrastructure planning requires a systems approach to improving ecological function while providing vital ecosystem services for human populations. This course will introduce students to the concepts, theories, and applications of greenway and green infrastructure planning at multiple scales, including the site-level, neighbourhood, and regional scales. The course will look at a wide range of systems including water, transportation, and food systems. Specifically, the course aims at the following:

Help students understand how the concept of green infrastructure developed and put it relationship to the larger historical framework of environmental planning and sustainable development;
Provide students with the introductory tools to conceptually plan a green infrastructure system; evaluate policies; and develop implementation strategies;
Help students recognize that the human component of sustainable, multifunctional landscapes is critical both for human health and for long term ecological preservation;
Show students how to incorporate multiple spatial scales thinking for understanding ecological systems and when applying them to design and planning problems; and
Give students a beginning understanding of the economic impacts and benefits of multi-functional green infrastructure planning.

PLG 553 Urban Economics

Urban economics is the study of cities and regions, and the economic activities therein. As a discipline, urban economics lies at the intersection of geography and economics introducing the role of space into economic considerations. Students will be exposed to the theories and concepts that help to explain the existence, growth and impact of cities, as well as gain a deeper understanding about the role of public and private policies that impact the urban form, structure and economy. Course discussion will be geared towards addressing the following questions. What explains the explosive growth of cities and the rate of urbanization over the last 100 years? How do firms and individuals decide where to locate? How is the price of land determined? How can we address current urban problems like crime, poverty, traffic congestion, sprawl, gentrification and pollution?

PLG 555 Planning, Power and People

This module introduces students to key ideas, debates and shifts in planning theory through addressing the idea of power in the planning process. It considers the ways in which different theories of planning (and policies based on them) engage (or not) with ideas of power and ascribe different roles to planning professionals and citizens alike. The module asks students to ‘think through’ theory and will help generate a reflexive understanding of the ideas that underpin planning systems and planning practice. It will also engender a theoretical and practical understanding of the need to engage with power inequalities in and through the planning process.

PLG 557 Planning Law

This course will introduce students to the law of town and country planning, and to its use as a tool of environmental management. The course will consider the mechanisms used in planning law to structure development and provide forward-looking strategies for environmental protection, including the use of planning conditions, planning agreements and planning gain. It will consider the law on development control, and the impact of environmental management techniques (such as EIA) and human rights legislation on the practice and law of planning. The course will look at judicial interpretation of the provisions for development control, and the role of the courts in controlling public bodies in the exercise of their planning powers.

PLG 559 Planning Theory

The focus of this course is on both the theory and practice of planning. In particular, this course intends to provoke students to think about what "good planning" means and of ways and means of improving the theoretical base and the practical operation of planning. Understanding planning theory will help future planners to understand how planning is practiced, why planning is done in particular ways, and provide them with a perspective about the roles that planners play. Critical questions will be explored, including: (a) should planners think like architects, social critics or private developers, (b) should plans be grand and comprehensive or cautious and incremental, (c) should planners assist or resist the private market, (d) should planners be neutral professionals or social advocates, (e) should planners create utopian visions of how cities could be or to pragmatically deal with cities as they are, and (f) should planners develop complex theories of urbanization and decision-making, or simply deal with immediate practical and professional challenges? The course is structured around an exploration of recent approaches to planning theory, and how they have given shape to planning practice. It also considers the professional status of planning and the ethical standards of the profession.

PLG 561 Quantitative Methods for Planners

PLG 563 Introduction to GIS for Planners

PLG 550 Planning Surveys and Research Methods

PLG 552 Public Finance for Planners

The main objectives off this course is to introduce students to the concept and principles of public finance; skills to develop budgeting and performance evaluation systems for public sector institutions, develop skills in the three major areas of public finance reforms (performance-based budgeting, mid-term financial planning and budget decentralisation).

PLG 554 Principles of City Planning and Management

The course primarily aims to introduce students to the principles of city planning and management. It aims at equipping students with the skills to prepare better plans and better communicate the plan to all relevant stakeholders. The course also aims to raise students’ awareness on the needed to see cities/communities as systems whose planning and management will require the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

PLG 556 Rural Economics

Rural economics is the study of economies. As a discipline, rural economics lies at the intersection of geography and economics introducing the role of space into economic considerations at the rural level. Students will be exposed to the theories and concepts that help to explain the existence, growth and impact of rural areas, as well as gain a deeper understanding about the role of public and private policies that impact the rural settlements, structure and economy. Course discussion will be geared towards addressing the following questions. Why do firms and individuals avoid locating in rural areas? How is the price of land determined? How can we address current rural problems like crime, poverty and inequality?

PLG 558 Professional Ethics in Planning Practice

This course aims at providing students with the skills to communicate ideas using diverse formats and strategies in the discipline of planning. It will also equip students the skills to work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural and social sensitivity, environmental stewardship and ethical and reflective practice. Students who take this course will be able to argue contested planning applications, analyse and debate practice-related issues and review professional code of conduct for planners and reflect on their implications for planning practice.

PLG 560 Advance GIS for Planners

This course covers advanced topics in understanding and using geographic information systems (GIS). Students learn how to use a global positioning system, perform raster analysis, create and analyze three- dimensional surfaces, visualize geospatial data, and perform advanced spatial analysis. The lectures discuss underlying theory and its implementation in GIS software. The assignments give students the opportunity to learn for themselves how to put that theory into practice, gaining hands-on experience with ArcGIS Desktop from Esri Inc., the most popular GIS software and an industry standard in many fields.

PLG 562 Political Economy of Cities

The course Political Economy of Cities is primarily concerned with studying the various issues bothering the interaction between politics, economics as well as the city. In this course, students will be helped to address the central questions in urban political economy: How do governments encourage or discourage urbanisation? Why do local governments adopt some economic policies and neglect others? Does competition between city governments make everyone better off, or lead to a race to the bottom? Why are some places more corrupt than others? Does partisanship matter at the local level? How do ethnic diversity and segregation affect local governance?

PLG 574 Dissertation (MSc Students Only)

PLG 651/652 Thesis (MPhil Students Only)

This guided research on planning and development issues constitutes the core of the Master of Philosophy programmes. It is intended to build the capacities of the students in carrying out advanced and independent research. The students are expected to apply the knowledge acquired in the courses they took in year one by defining, researching and addressing an issue related in a recognisable framework of development planning theory and practice. The candidates are expected to liaise with staff for direction and subsequently work closely with their thesis supervisors.

Overview

The MSc/MPhil Planning Programme aims at providing students with the range of skills needed for a career in urban planning. The programme is aimed at graduates who have an undergraduate degree in planning and wants to continue with a career in planning, either in the public or private sector.

The programme provides students with the core knowledge, competencies and skills necessary to become an urban planning professional and graduates can enroll as members of the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) and the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP). Graduates of the programme will gain an understanding of the full range of professional skills relevant for planning practice.

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil

Programme Duration

2 Years

Development Policy and Planning

sbaning.reg@knustedu.gh — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:56:35 +0000

Development Policy and Planning sbaning.reg@kn… Thu, 03/29/2018 - 11:56

DPP 551 Development Economics and Policy Analysis

This course explores issues in industrial and agricultural development policies, population and environment, the contribution of international firms to the growth and development process. It seeks to equip students with skills to analyse the concepts of economic growth and development; to equip students with skills to analyse development theories and their relevance to the LDCs; and to equip students with skills to discuss the economic management issues confronting LDCs Financing investment in LDCs

DPP 553 Quantitative Methods for Planners

DPP 555 Social Dimensions of Development

This course is designed to help students contribute to the sociology to the understanding of society; the impact of socio-economic change on rural communities, urbanisation and urban policy approaches, theories of development (modernization theory, Marxists and Neo-Marxists school, dependency, inequality, poverty and development); Population growth and its relation to development, the social implications of planned change.

DPP 557 Development Planning Process

DPP 559 Economic Analysis and Development

The course is intended to introduce participants to some carefully selected economic theories that will enable them to understand, analyse and appreciate problems of economic growth and development especially in LDCs. In preparing this outline, cognizance is taken of the fact that some of the participants have no formal training in economics.

DPP 561 Spatial Dimensions of Development

The course regards the properties of space as an essential variable in socio-economic development of any society. The course also introduces students to the properties of space both as a potential and a constraint. Some of the variables explored include: Space as a continuous rather than a discrete variable, the concept of a region and space economy, types of regions, the rational and theoretical framework for regional planning, spatial organization and the indicators of development, social and environmental problems of the space economy, the state of the space economy of Ghana.

DPP 563 Introduction to GIS for Development Policy Planners

DPP 552 Development Administration and Management

The meaning of the concept of management, management theory and practice, management objectives, establishing performance indicators, procedures and regulations, resource allocation techniques, strategy formulation and implementation, organization and work structuring, problem solving methodology, authority, accountability and responsibility, Planning, Programming and Budgeting System, Finance and Budgeting, employee relations and human resource management, the planning machinery and the institutional framework for development decision making and implementation in Ghana. These workshops are problem oriented, concentrating on several clearly identified policy issues of relevance to Ghana’s current development goals. Each of the policy issues are examined using common analytical approaches.

DPP 554 National Development Seminar and Workshop

The course is divided into two broad sections which reflect the policy and planning character of the Development Policy and Planning Programme. The first section is designed to enable students understand the development planning process operational at the district level. The tasks in this section are structured in a way that students will require data from both primary and secondary sources to meet the desired outputs. The second section builds on students’ understanding of the operational planning process at the district level. In this section, students are challenged to harmonise medium term development planning from some selected districts in a selected region.

DPP 556 Planning Surveys and Research Methods

DPP 558 Project Analysis and Appraisal Methods

DPP 574 Advance GIS for Development Policy Planners

DPP 560 Spatial Development Planning Techniques

The course elaborates on the following understanding: that effective spatial planning is critical to the sustainable management of cities. The need for effective spatial planning in Ghana is evident in the ever-increasing number of informal settlements resulting from the neglect of the spatial dimensions of social and economic proposals in development plans. The purpose of this course therefore is to introduce students to some of the techniques and tools used in spatial analyses and city management.

DPP 562 Spatial Development Policy and Planning

The course is concerned mainly with how human activities in space may promote or inhibit national development; how these activities manifest themselves in various sizes and the distribution of settlement. The focus of the course will be on the settlement policy and planning in the public domain as a response or a guide to individual or private sector locational behaviour. The relationships between national development goals, technical infrastructure policies and settlement policy with case studies selected from developing countries. Ghanaian examples will particular be used wherever applicable. Consequently, the course is a logical sequel of the course “Spatial Dimensions of Development”

DPP 564 Economic Development Planning Techniques

The purpose of the course is to expose the participants to the complexities of economic development which calls for proper planning, by using the appropriate economic techniques. The techniques are based on models in words and symbols. The scope of the course covers perceptions of model planning process and selected techniques of economic planning.

DPP 566 Economic Policy and Planning

Developing Countries need accelerated growth and development if they are to lift their citizens out of absolute poverty. Their governments have the responsibility to design and execute consciously, state policies, aimed at directing the economy towards achieving macroeconomic goals such as economic growth, full employment, balance of payment equilibrium, general price stability and economic equity. The thrust of this course is to discuss the complex processes of macroeconomic growth and the role of economic planning in achieving the goal of the process. The discussions make specific reference to economic planning and implementation problems in developing countries.

DPP 568 Social Policy Analysis

DPP 570 Social Sector Policy and Planning

This course has various components and for purpose of effective delivery, these components have been grouped into four sectors; i.e. health, education, housing, population and employment. Four different lectures deliver three-week modules in each of the four sectors. The objectives of this course are to equip students with the skills in planning for activities within the four sectors.

DPP 574 Dissertation (MSc Students Only)

DPP 651/652 Thesis (MPhil Students Only)

Overview

MSc/MPhil Development Policy and Planning Programme is designed to provide students with the range of skills necessary for a career in development policy and planning. The programme is aimed at graduates who want a career in development policy and planning and development, either in the public or private sector.

The programme will provide students with the core knowledge, competencies and skills necessary to become a planning and development professional and a member of the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP). In addition, graduates of the programme will gain an understanding of the full range of professional skills relevant for practice, as well as specialist competencies.

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil

Programme Duration

2 Years

Development Planning and Management

sbaning.reg@knustedu.gh — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:55:53 +0000

Development Planning and Management sbaning.reg@kn… Thu, 03/29/2018 - 11:55

PROGRAMME COURSES

DPM 551 Environmental Planning and Resource Management

This course introduces students to various environmental planning and policy instruments in response to contemporary local and global environmental problems, and discusses the ecological concepts and principles embedded in the planning and policy instruments. The course is concerned with the complex and the often-problematic relationship between humans and the environment.

DPM 553 Introduction to GIS for Planners

This course introduces the concepts and components of geographic information system (GIS). It also introduced students to the essential skills of spatial data management, analysis, and visualization using the ArcGIS software package. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the fundamental concepts of GIS including spatial data models, spatial analysis, and cartographic principles. They will also gain hands-on training in spatial data collection, editing, transformation, and mapping, as well as spatial analysis operations such as location-based query, address geocoding, terrain and watershed analysis, spatial interpolation, best site selection, least cost path delineation, and several other GIS modeling techniques.

DPM 555 Agriculture and Local Economic Development Planning

The course seeks to provide students with the basic concepts, skills and tools of planning for agricultural and local economic development within specific contexts. It aims at discussing the fundamental institutional, policy and strategic issues necessary to transform agriculture and the local economy for the benefit of those engaged in it and also for the support of national development. The need to consider agriculture and the local economy within the framework of the development is the thrust of the course.

DPM 557 Human Settlement Planning

The course introduces students to the various concepts, theories and principles associated with the growth and management of human settlement. Students are exposed to the key aspects of settlement growth dynamics including locational determinants and distribution patterns, morphology and structure, land use patterns, planning process, development control measures.

DPM 559 Development Theories and Strategies

This course is designed to help students analyze the shifting “development” paradigms and policy prescriptions designed to bring about positive change and thereby developing the human potentials. In addition, it seeks to equip students with the skills to evaluate the degrees of success and failures of the development strategies emanating from development thinkers to guide development. Students of the programme will be able to evaluate the applicability of these theories and the associated strategies to developing countries particularly Ghana.

DPM 561 Foundation Workshop in Development Planning and Management I

The SPRING Workshop is the main component of the SPRING Programme. It is conducted in a selected district to portray a wide range of grass root development problems. It places emphasis on development management at an intermediate level between macro-regional or national level and community-based planning. The Development Planning Workshop is seen as a problem-oriented management toolkit with the objectives to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge in development planning theory, principles, techniques and methods that they acquire the course of the programme.

DPM 558 Foundation Workshop in Development Planning and Management II

The second semester SPRING Workshop is a continuation of the first’s semester workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge in development planning theory, principles, techniques and methods that they acquire during the first semester of the course to a real-world situation using a selected MMDA as the unit of study.

DPM 563 Organisation and Management

This course is designed to help students develop course - specific competences to have the ability to solve theoretical and practical professional problems with the use of research methods and procedures and the ability to form their own their own conclusion and ability to solve the problems. In addition, students will develop the skills to understand the role and meaning of theoretical knowledge to solve concrete projects, understanding and critical assessments of the established theory’s and acquired skills and the application of knowledge in the field of management in practice and ability to deal with selected issues.

DPM 550 Planning Surveys and Research Methods

DPM 552 Financing and Budgeting

This course focuses on financing as an integral part of planning. Budgeting on the other hand deals with a framework which guides organizations to spend money according to scheduled format. This implies that if an organization or district has no budget it cannot manage its resources judiciously. The emphasis of the course is on the District financial system where the participants’ responsibilities include financial analysis, management and implementation processes.

DPM 554 Demography and Social Infrastructure

Population growth is often considered as a major cause of underdevelopment. It is the driving force behind the increasing demand for social infrastructure in the developing world, while in the northern hemisphere stagnating or even shrinking populations are posing a different challenge to infrastructure provision. The one semester course combines an introduction to demographic analysis and population projections with a discussion of principles, strategies and techniques of social infrastructure planning. In demographic analysis, the course participants will learn how to apply basic demographic terms and definitions, to work with the standard demographic data base at the regional, districts and municipal levels and to comprehend the interrelationships between development, social change and demographic trends and policy. Social infrastructure planning in developing economies is confronted with a growing gap between demand and supply. The subject will therefore concentrate on concepts and strategies to improve the provision of social infrastructure under the constraints of severely limited resources. The challenge of adapting the existing infrastructure and the provision of modern infrastructure to stagnating or shrinking populations of the rural areas and rapidly increasing population of urban areas in Ghana will also be considered. Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
•   Use population data to assess social infrastructure needs
•   Assess the implication of using data to guide decision making for the rational allocation of limited resources
•   Analyse the interaction between population dynamics and social infrastructure planning provision and management

DPM 556 Transportation Planning

The main aim of the course is to introduce students to the role of transport in local, national development and poverty reduction. Specifically, the course is to introduce students to the role of transport in regional development and the movement of persons and goods, the functions of various systems and modes of transport in regional planning. It further equips students with the methods and techniques of transport planning and analysis especially at the local level.

DPM 560 Spatial Statistics

This course is about quantitative analysis of spatial data. It is intended to provide a broad survey of various spatial statistic methods useful in environmental and social sciences. This course covers four broad topical areas: (1) point pattern analysis; (2) area data analysis; (3) continuous data analysis; (4) spatial sampling; and (5) multivariate spatial and temporal analysis. The course is a mix of theories, methods, and applications geared towards helping students: (1) develop an understanding of the important theoretical concepts in spatial data analysis; and (2) gain practical experience in application of spatial statistics to a variety of social and environmental problems using advanced statistical software.

DPM 562 Advance GIS for Planners

DPM 564 Dissertation (MSc. Students Only)

DPM 651/652 Thesis (MPhil Students Only)

Overview

The MSc/MPhil Development Planning and Planning Programme is an integrated process of regional planning aimed at improving the social, economic and spatial dimensions of development. The programme seeks to equip high calibre professionally with multidisciplinary and integrated skills required to promote, formulate, coordinate and manage development programmes at the national and sub-national levels for accelerated growth and national development.

Programme Type

Msc/MPhil