Course Overview
Environmental planning is simply urban and regional planning with a focus on sustainability. Its overall goal is to analyze and minimize the environmental impacts of proposed construction projects and make sure they meet all environmental regulations. It essentially deals with shaping or improving construction projects while considering and mitigating against potential environmental impacts. At the end of it all, Environmental Planning provides a holistic frame work to achieve sustainable outcomes on any given physical development. Professionals in this field are known as environmental planners among other titles. Environmental planners undertake research on how urban development can affect environmental issues and also determine how to construct roads, buildings and other urban facilities without causing significant damage to the environment. In their work, environmental planners also assist policymakers in writing environmental protection laws and also recommend eco-friendly construction materials and building sites.
The Bachelor of Environmental Planning & Management is a four year course whose curriculum blends physical planning and environmental management for sustainable rural, urban and regional development. Coursework covers topics such as; Principles of Environmental Planning and Management, Population Dynamics and Environmental Planning, Planning for Urban Public Utilities, Integrated Environmental Management, Environmental Planning and Management Techniques, Waste Management Planning, Computer Application in Environmental Planning and Management, GIS & Remote Sensing in Environmental Planning & Management, Planning for Recreation and Leisure, Planning and Management of Housing Development , Planning and Management of Urban Slums and Squatter Settlements, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design among other important topics.
The programme emphasises on the integrated nature of planning through the delivery of projects from social, economic and environmental sciences to understand and evaluate planning processes, policies and tools in a developmental context. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will play leading roles towards sustainable developments within the country and beyond.
Entry requirement
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster Subjects; Subject 1 GEO, Subject 2 MAT A / MAT B, Subject 3 any GROUP II, Subject 4 2nd GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming an environmental planner
If you are interested in the environment and want to make a difference to the world through sustainable development, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can enable you grow and succeed in this field.
Environmental planners possess excellent analytical skills that enable them base their conclusions on careful analysis of scientific data. They are also effective communicators as they frequently present and explain their findings and write technical reports to other people. Environmental planners work on teams with scientists, engineers, architects and technicians requiring them to have good interpersonal skills. They also have good problem solving skills that enable them find the best possible solution to problems that affect the environment and people’s health.
Work environment
Environmental planners work mostly in offices but also visit project sites to collect field data.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course may find employment in county & national government, environmental consulting firms, architectural, engineering firms, real estate developers, NGOs among other areas. They can also start their own businesses.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Arts in Spatial Planning
Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, With IT
Bachelor of Science in Geography
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science