MA Urban and Regional Planning 2025 Welcome to MORE 2025

Johannes Novy (Course Leader – MAURP), John Somers (Course Leader – RTPI Apprenticeship)

Johannes Novy is Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Columbia University, New York. In addition to his work in teaching and research, he is a founding member of the Berlin collective u-Lab, Studio für Stadt und Raumprozesse, and a member of the Curatorial Board of the International Building Exhibition Stuttgart Region IBA2027.

John Somers is Senior Lecturer in urban planning and the historic environment at the University of Westminster. He is a chartered member of the RTPI and the IHBC, and his research interests involve retrofitting historic buildings, heritage at risk, assessing heritage significance, and investigating inequality as a result of legislation and the resultant design of the built environment.

The academic year 2024-2025 offered a rich learning experience for everyone involved in the Urban and Regional Planning and RTPI Apprenticeship and MA degrees. Alongside the main lecture-based structure of the courses, our regular teaching is enriched by special events and first hand experience of the work environment.

Among many highlights from across the year, the field trip to Amsterdam / Rotterdam stands out. It provided students with valuable insights, interactions with stakeholders, and exposure to cutting-edge planning projects, as well as a chance to explore a new city. Reflecting our commitment to practice-relevant learning, students engaged with industry professionals in discussions around sustainability and gender-inclusive design strategies. The staging of a mock planning committee simulated the complexities of real-world decision-making, giving students first-hand experience of the challenges faced by planning professionals. In addition, our ongoing partnership with Waltham Forest enabled students to assume the role of consultants to the local authority, equipping them with invaluable experience at the cutting edge of the field.

The RTPI Apprenticeship pathway attracts strong interest from employers, enhancing the Urban Planning courses overall. The programme’s strength was recognised in November 2024 when it received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.

The dissertation thesis is a major part of the course for which students select a topic of their choice to explore. The range of subjects reflects both the breadth of the planning discipline and the diversity of interests, perspectives and questions the students bring to the subject. Topics this year included: the implications of AI for the future of planning; the promise and pitfalls of biodiversity net gain legislation; the contested role of social value in planning practice; and the quality concerns surrounding the growing built-to-rent sector. Taken together, these projects reflect intellectual curiosity, critical engagement and, perhaps most importantly, a commitment to making our world more just, sustainable and liveable. We are proud of what the students have achieved and look forward to the contributions they will make as they continue their professional journeys.

MA Urban and Regional Planning Theses 2025

Dalia Alghoul
Land Use Changes and Development Patterns: The influence of proximity to new railway infrastructure in urban versus suburban London

Amy Allen
The Commercialisation of Placemaking: Unpacking use and exchange value in UK built-to-rent schemes

Grace Austen
Integrating Tiny Homes into Town Planning: An exploration of the potentials and limitations of mandatory policies to the UK housing crisis

Syeda Begum
Urban Pulse: Exploring the movement of people to create sustainable town centres

Bethany Crowther
Biodiversity Net Gain in Practice: Ecologist perspectives on housing-led development in Hampshire

Costa Boateng Brew
Planning for Affordable Housing in High-Growth Areas: A case study of Luton

Dylan Brooks
Greener Cities, Clearer Minds: Investigating the link between urban green spaces and mental well-being within the city of London

Vitus Cheung
Artificial Intelligence and Planning: Addressing ethical considerations and local authority preparedness

Jessica Cliffe
Historic Buildings and Filmsets: Investigating practical changes or supplementary planning guidance for film production listed building consent in England

Elise Davis
Beyond Decoration: A comparative investigation into the placemaking benefits of public art in Chelmsford and Harlow

Andrea Dollard
Biodiversity Net Gain: An empirical view of implementation

Gabriella Fairley
Walkable Cities: The potential of public spaces in Chelmsford to improve social interaction and personal well-being

Thomas Harding
Rethinking Neighbourhood Living: A strategic policy framework for 20-minute neighbourhoods

Katherine Harvey
Planning Officers and Councillors: Effective decision making

Lucas Ives
Reducing Youth Out-Migration through Ramsgate’s Plan for Neighbourhoods

Anna Jagielko
Safe Routes to School: Analysing the impact of School Streets on children’s active travel habits

Mahdi Jalal
Tackling Rough Sleeping in Westminster: A PIP research proposal

Amreen Kausar
Intersectionality in Space: Investigating the experience of Muslim women in community gardens

Ka Long Cheng
From Streets to Statistics: Rethinking planning advocacy in post-democratic Hong Kong

Emily Mackenzie
Anxiety on the Underground: Strategies to improve the tube experience for passengers with mental health conditions

Matthew McNulty
Permanence from Impermanence: Investigating the role of meanwhile use as a catalyst to delivering social value across London

Amblessed Ogoke
Reimagining Green Spaces: Improving the perception of safety for young women in Barking

Zakariyya Osmani
Effective Planning Conditions and Obligations: What are the key factors to mitigate development impacts and contribute to local priorities?

Emily Ozwell
The Role of Urban Parks in Healthy Ageing: A case study of Beacon Park, Lichfield

Matilda Redzimski
Green Spaces and Urban Wellbeing: Insights from Crystal Palace park for thriving urban futures

Philip Rewcroft
Housing Targets: But is this an effective way to increase the delivery of affordable homes?

Gauranshi Sharma
Evaluating the impact of England’s planning policies on housing affordability and supply

Tom Strachan
Bridging the Gap: Evaluating the influence of planning policy and legislation on electric vehicle charging infrastructure accessibility in England

Andrew Such
Creative Enterprise Zones: The role of CEZs in the provision and retention of affordable workspaces in Hackney Wick and Fish Island

Mia Tyson-Richie
Moth Club: The effect of development on music venues

Syeed Uddin
Awareness and Usage of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL)