Overview
The Master of Arts in Planning Programme aims to train a high caliber of professionally qualified personnel in Urban and Regional Planning. The programme provides planners with the requisite skills and specialized knowledge needed to address numerous challenges associated with rapid urbanization and resource use in Africa. The Department of Urban and Regional Planning has been a leading institution for training professional planners in the entire Eastern and Southern African region.
The regulations and syllabus for the degree of Master of Arts in Planning have recently been revised to introduce a new approach in planning and provide flexibility for candidates to pursue the course on a semester basis.
The programme incorporates theoretical foundations of planning and a strong practical and professional training, along with multi-disciplinary knowledge in planning areas, methods of research and analysis and computer application skills. The course is intended for graduates and professionals with relevant educational background and experience who wish to take up planning roles with public, private, voluntary and international agencies working at local, sub-national, national and international levels.
Contacts: Telephone: 020-2319187 ; E-mail:durp@uonbi.ac.ke
Structure
Masters of Arts In Planning
The programme is covered in thirty-four (34) course units consisting of lectures, seminars, field work, practical (studio) research project and examinations.
The programme is examined through written examinations, course work, planning studio and research project.
A candidate shall be allowed to take a minimum of three (3) course units and a maximum of nine (9) course units per semester.
The programme shall be covered in a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of twelve (12) semesters.
All courses, seminars, studio, research project and examinations are compulsory. The programme shall proceed from levels one to four:
The Research Project shall constitute four (4) course units while the Rural, Urban and Regional Planning Studio shall constitute two, three and four course units respectively.
COURSE OUTLINE
Code Hrs
LEVEL 1
BUR 501 Introduction to Planning 45
BUR 503 Theory of Planning I 45
BUR 505 Planning Principles and Techniques I 45
BUR 507 Statistical Methods in Planning 45
BUR 509 Socio-Economic Indicators in Planning 45
BUR 511 Management Techniques for Planners I 45
BUR 513 Rural Planning Studio 90
BUR 515 Information Technology in Planning 45
LEVEL 2
BUR 500 Theory of Planning II 45
BUR 502 Planning Principles and Techniques II 45
BUR 504 Land Use Determinants I 45
BUR 506 Planning for Transportation 45
BUR 508 Planning for Engineering Services 45
BUR 510 Research Methods for Planners I 45
BUR 512 Urban Planning Studio 135
LEVEL 3
BUR 601 Planning Principles and Techniques III 45
BUR 603 Land Use Determinants II 45
BUR 605 Theory of Resource Use in Planning 45
BUR 607 GIS & Remote Sensing applications in planning 45
BUR 609 Research Methods for Planners II 45
BUR 611 Urban Project Implementation 45
BUR 613 Environmental Management in Planning 45
BUR 615 Research project I 45
LEVEL 4
BUR 600 Management Techniques for Planners II 45
BUR 602 Regional Planning Studio 135
BUR 604 Research Project II 90
Admission Requirements
A holder of a Bachelor's degree, of at least upper second class honors in planning, architecture, land economics, building economics, civil engineering, design, surveying, agriculture, law, economics, geography, sociology, government, anthropology, social work or any other relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparable academic status.
A holder of a Bachelor's degree, of lower second class honors in any of the degree categories specified above with a relevant postgraduate diploma or other equivalent qualifications from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparable academic status or with at least two (2) years of relevant work experience.
A holder of a pass degree in any of the degree categories specified in above with a credit in a relevant postgraduate diploma or other equivalent qualifications from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparative academic status, and at least (5) years of relevant work experience.
Careers
Graduates of Urban and Regional Planning can find employment in NGO's, County Governments, Central Governments UN Bodies- UNCRD, UNEP, UN-Habitat, Parastatals – Nairobi County Council (NCC), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), ENNDA, Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning Departments, National Lands Commission (NLC), Regional Development Authority and Water and Sewerage Companies under the Water Act.
Fees and Funding
| MA in Planning-Year 1 (TOTAL of 18 units) | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly TOTAL |
| TUITION | 216,000 | 216,000 | 432,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 6,500 | |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 7,000 | |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 9,000 | 9,000 | 18,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 2,000 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| TOTAL | 254,750 | 227,250 | 482,000 |
| MA in Planning-Year 2 (TOTAL of 16 units) | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly TOTAL | |
| TUITION | 216,000 | 216,000 | 432,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | - | 6,500 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | - | 7,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | - | 5,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 8,000 | 8,000 | 16,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | - | 1,000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | - | 2,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | - | 1,000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| TOTAL | 248,750 | 256,250 | 505,000 |
| Grand TOTAL | 987,000 |
Exam Regulations
The programme is examined through written examinations, course work, planning studio and research project.
A candidate shall be allowed to take a minimum of three (3) course units and a maximum of nine (9) course units per semester.
