Environmental Planning Education and the possibilities for studio pedagogy

Abstract

Environmental planning has a substantial impact on social, economic and environmental welfare and getting it right is a complex challenge. Teaching environmental planning is challenging at the best of times but periods of rapid political change can present additional difficulties. Planning studio pedagogy (a student-centred, collaborative, inquiry-based/problem-based pedagogy based on a 'real world' project) is a unique and valuable learning and teaching method used to educate environmental planners. Planning studio pedagogy teaches students how to successfully work, in a collaborative way, with 'wicked', complex issues. This paper will focus on the role of studio pedagogy in teaching students about the political landscapes of environmental planning. Students are required to be up to date with the current political contexts of planning during their studies and also develop an understanding of the challenges they will face in the workplace. A number of wicked learning and teaching issues arise in environmental planning education, these include: - Developing student awareness of ethical responsibilities and personal values and dealing with potential conflicts driven by political contexts; - Developing student awareness of the impact of choices made (neutral or advocate) in the workplace and the outcomes of those choices in practice and; - Dealing with the hopelessness students may feel due to particular political setups (what's the point of this exercise if it's not politically viable?) We argue that studio pedagogy is an ideal learning and teaching environment and approach to address these issues and achieve successful environmental planning graduates that are leaders in their field.