Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Planning and Communication (2026–2029)

Upon completing the program, candidates will:

Knowledge

• Understand issues and processes within planning and be familiar with the tools and methods used.
• Have broad knowledge of cultural geographical perspectives, economic geography, and urban development.
• Have knowledge of the Norwegian planning system and planning processes and be able to update themselves in the field.
• Have knowledge of the history and distinctiveness of planning.
• Have fundamental knowledge of democratic aspects in planning.

Skills

• Be able to contribute to societal change by promoting public participation in planning processes.
• Be able to participate in co-creation processes, develop communication strategies, and mobilize interest groups within planning.
• Be able to use relevant information and professional material to illuminate issues within planning.
• Be able to organize planning processes, include volunteer organizations, and gather input from various groups.
• Be able to stay updated on planning challenges and relevant methods.
• Be able to apply social science theories in planning processes.

General Competence

• Be able to plan and carry out scientific projects individually and in groups.
• Have insight into and be able to navigate current planning challenges.
• Have knowledge of critical and innovative perspectives in planning.
• Be able to communicate central professional material such as theories, issues, and solutions both in writing and orally and through other relevant forms of expression.
• Be able to exchange viewpoints in co-creation processes and contribute to development.
• Be able to engage in co-creation processes and reflect on and exchange viewpoints in complex societal challenges.

Do you want to be involved in planning the cities and communities of the future? Would you like to understand how globalization impacts the places we live in? Are you interested in how residents can be included in the development of their surroundings to ensure good quality of life? Do you want to contribute to sustainable social, economic, and environmental development?

The Bachelor's program in Planning and Communication provides a broad introduction to planning at various levels – from local communities to the global perspective. You will learn about how places, cities, and regions develop economically, socially, and culturally, and how factors such as participation, communication, and international trends affect the way we plan. Additionally, the program offers insight into how planning must adapt to an increasingly complex and rapidly changing societal and natural development.

As a student in the program, you will receive a fundamental introduction to the public planning system, with particular emphasis on the Planning and Building Act. At the same time, you will learn about planning processes that extend beyond formal, statutory frameworks. You will develop skills in creating dialogue and communicating effectively in complex planning situations where many different stakeholders and interests come into play. Furthermore, you will enhance your ability to analyze and critically engage with ongoing planning processes – whether they concern the relationship between humans and nature, climate impact, land management, urban transformation, industrial and energy development, or processes for participation and co-creation.

An important part of the bachelor's program is the practice-oriented approach. You will have the opportunity to work on real planning projects connected to the public sector, business, and local communities. Here, you will learn to analyze various perspectives – from politicians and developers to public agencies – and develop strategies to handle complexity, conflicts, and opportunities in the development of cities, communities, and regions.

This study program offers both theoretical insight and practical experience, so you are well-prepared for a career in planning, urban development, or related fields.

The goal of choosing varied teaching and working methods is for students to gain experience with different ways of acquiring knowledge and how this knowledge can be communicated further. Examples of teaching methods include lectures, group work, seminars, guidance, and oral presentations. To make the working methods as close to the practical field as possible, learning in several subjects will take the form of group work based on real-world issues. Some subjects will include instruction in English.

The Bachelor's program in Planning and Communication has an interdisciplinary and international approach within "planning studies," with particular focus on a Nordic context. The program provides students with insight into international perspectives through courses that address the development of mass media, as well as cultural and economic globalization. The teaching includes examples from various planning contexts globally, and international planning cases are actively used. The primary language of instruction is Norwegian, but some courses are offered in English.

Exchange takes place in the spring, during the 4th semester of the program. The institute has many agreements with excellent universities that offer exciting opportunities within planning studies, including Malmö University. During the exchange, students can choose courses such as Urban Design, Sustainable Environmental Studies, GIS (Geographical Information Systems), Communication, etc. Please refer to the university's website for information on current exchange locations: https://www.uia.no/student/utveksling.

A planner typically works in the public sector, private industry, or organizations, with tasks related to urban development and land use planning, environment, infrastructure, and community development. Some common workplaces and tasks include:

Public Sector:

• Municipalities and county councils: Work on municipal plans, land use planning, transport solutions, co-creation processes, and sustainable development.
• State agencies (e.g., Planning and Building Services, Norwegian Public Roads Administration): Responsible for national and regional planning, transport development, and environmental measures.
• Departments and directorates (e.g., Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development): Develop and manage national planning policy.

Private Sector:

• Consultancy and advisory firms: Assist municipalities and developers with social analyses, environmental impact assessments, and zoning plans.
• Real estate and construction industry: Planning of new residential and commercial areas.
• Technology companies: Development of smart cities and digital planning tools.

Organizations and Research:

• Interest organizations and NGOs: Work with environmental protection, urban development, and social sustainability.
• Universities and research institutes: Teaching and research in urban and regional planning, mobility, and climate.

In short, planners work to shape future societies through strategic planning, sustainable solutions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. For some jobs, a master's degree may be required or beneficial. Smaller municipalities may have needs for community planners without a master’s degree requirement, and some consulting and advisory firms hire those with a bachelor's degree.

The program qualifies for admission to the Master's program in Planning, Place, and Process. It also qualifies for admission to other master's programs at UiA:

• Community Communication
• Political Science and Management (advantage with the broadening unit in political science and organization)
• Global Development, Crisis, and Change (advantage with the broadening unit in global development studies)
• Sociology (advantage with the broadening unit in sociology)
• Public Health Science (advantage with the broadening unit in public health)