Planning for Just Transitions URBAN5149

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course examines key interdisciplinary social science debates on designing and planning for just transitions-- ensuring that transitions away from toxic, unsustainable, and fossil-fuel dependent systems are inclusive and just, as well as sustainable-- across cities and regions around the world. Drawing on place-based and multiscalar approaches to the study and practice of just and sustainable transitions, the course offers an in-depth appreciation of key theoretical perspectives, empirical case studies, and policy visions and proposals.

Timetable

18 hours of timetabled on-campus teaching delivered in 3 hourly blocks (1hr lecture + 2hr workshop), once per week, over 6 consecutive weeks.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements:

None

 

Recommended Entry Requirements:

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Written exam (75%, 90 minutes). Disabled students will be offered reasonable adjustments for exam support in accordance with the University of Glasgow Registry.

Podcast- Oral Assessment & Presentation (25%). Disabled students will be offered reasonable adjustments for podcast presentation support in accordance with the University of Glasgow Registry.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to introduce students to key interdisciplinary debates at the intersection of "planning", "just transitions", and green transformations-broadly conceived-drawing on placed-based and multiscalar approaches. It provides participants with perspectives and insights for thinking critically and practically about just and sustainable transitions, as well as opportunities for evaluating and proposing alternative visions.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically examine the main theoretical debates on planning for just transitions.

■ Evaluate place-based approaches of designs or plans for just transitions in policy discourse or practice.

■ Critically assess the role of public and private sector actors in shaping just transition policies and visions.

■ Propose their own theory-and-evidenced-based designs or plans for just transitions.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

 

Minimum requirement for award of credit for students on MSc City Planning is D3 or above.

 

University standard regulations apply to students on other qualifications.