COURSE DESCRIPTION
100 LEVEL
EPM 111:
PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
Concepts and principles. Introduction to environmental planning and management. Evolution
and nature of resource utilization. Natural and human processes influencing resource use. Basic
methods in planning and management of resources. Planning as a decision making process.
Attributes and implications of the political and administrative environment. Planning and
management of natural resources such as water, energy and wildlife.
EPM 131:
PEN USE & PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES - STUDIO 1
Free-hand drawing of straight lines with different pens. Drawing of straight lines with different
pens using straight edges. Drawing of lines at different angles. Shading of bands using different
colours at various angles. Colouring of bands using different colours. Drawing parallel lines at
various angles using rapidographs of different thickness. Stencil lettering using rapidographs of
different sizes at upper and lower cases. Freehand lettering using rapidographs, pencils and felt
pens. Calligraphy. Touch lettering. Visual communication and presentation of design drawings.
Introduction to geometric space and its elements. Types of projections and their application to
design. Line intersections and geometric forms. Methods of drawing landscape elements.
Elevation and the built environment. Iconic modelling. Exhibition, display and audio-visual
presentation.
EPM 141:
POPULATION DYNAMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Concepts of population. Theories of population growth. Global, regional and local trends and
patterns of population growth, structure and distribution. Determinants of population change.
Relationship between population and resource demand. Assessment for sustainable development
and environmental enhancements. Selected case studies.
EPM 144:
PLANNING FOR URBAN PUBLIC UTILITIES
Concepts and composition. Public utilities planning process. Inter-relationship between public
utilities and the urban and regional planning process. Estimating water consumption
requirements, storage, treatment and distribution. Assessment of sewerage and other types of
waste disposal. Design of utility systems: electricity, telephone, waste disposal, gas and water.
Site analysis methods for utilities planning. Management principles for utilities and services
planning. Role and efficiency of urban council/governments in the provision, maintenance and
management of public utilities. Urban public utilities and the environment
EPM 145:
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Concepts. Dimensions and types of integration. Procedures and processes. Policies and
legislation. Mobilization and coordination of stakeholders. Ecological, socio-cultural, economic
and political considerations. Role of strategic planning. Sustainable
production and
consumption. Environmental considerations in project cycle. Information dissemination and
sharing. Selected case studies.
200 LEVEL
EPM 222:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Evolution of planning and management techniques. Introduction to basic techniques and
procedures of environmental planning and management: environmental standards, co-ordination
and control, zoning and subdivision controls. Use of legal planning tools and abatements of
nuisance. Regulatory processes such as taxes, legislation and policy. Management decision
models. Quantitative techniques. Meetings as human resource mobilization technique. Oral
presentation techniques.
EPM 232: GEOMATIC SURVEYING & ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING I – STUDIO 2
This unit introduces students of environmental planning and management to the tools and
techniques of geomatic surveying and environmental mapping. Its content: History and
development of surveying; Definition and process of surveying; Principles of surveying; Systems
of referencing positions, directions and heights. Methods and types of surveying; Concept of
survey measurement and errors: type and causes of errors, precision and accuracy, and error
propagation. Chain surveying: principles of chain surveying; equipment; procedure of chain
surveying: reconnaissance, field observations and presentation; obstacles in chain surveying and
how to overcome them.
EPM 242:
RESOURCE USE PLANNING
Meaning of Resource. Theories of resource use. Types: human, land, atmospheric, marine and
fresh water. Biodiversity. Resource systems, characteristics and influences. Relationship among
resources. Patterns and techniques of utilization. Policy and legislation. Resource use and
management processes. Environmental considerations. Planning and management. Management
of shared resources. Case studies.
EPM 244:
WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Definitions, types, sources, nature and composition. Individual and group perceptions.
Management: generation, collection, transportation and disposal. Recycling and treatment.
Regulatory instruments: standards, permits and licences. Economic instruments: charges, market
creation, subsidies, deposit refund systems. Education and awareness creation. Enforcement
institutions and their capacities. Waste management policies and plans : preparation,
implementation and monitoring . Case studies.
EPM 246:
PUBLIC FINANCE PLANNING
Nature and scope of public finance. Revenue generation and development process. Budgeting.
Taxation: types, incidence and impact on investment and development. Theory of private and
public goods and their externalities. Modern issues in public finance theory and practice. Public
finance administration. National debt burden and government borrowing. Public finance in
Kenya.
EPM 251:
COMPUTER APPLICATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
Introduction to computers; Application of computer in environmental planning and management.
Collection and analysis of environmental planning and management data. Computer methods of
analysing complex environmental planning and management problems and issues.
EPM 254:
GIS & REMOTE SENSING IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
Fundamentals of GIS. Data and information needs. Application in land use, natural resources
assessment and land cover mapping. Introduction to ARC/INFO software. GIS data
capture/editing, data display and data base management, coordinate systems, projections,
transformation, geographic analysis and map presentations. Concepts of remote sensing.
Components of remote sensing model. Various platforms and data forms. Ground truthing. Use
of remote sensing images. Detection of electromagnetic energy. Orbital remote sensing systems:
geostationary, sun-syncrhonous, manned satellite systems, receiving and distribution centres.
Future of earth observation programmes. Landsat and spot. Computer processing techniques.
Application of Remote Sensing in Environmental Planning and Management.
EPM 255:
CONSERVATION AREA PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
History of conservation, theories of conservation, theories in conservation areas, types of
conservation areas, characteristics of conservation areas, threats to the conservation areas,
policies and legislations, effectiveness of planning and management approaches in conservation
areas, sustainable planning and management approaches of conservation, the future of
conservation areas in Kenya
EPM 256:
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION
Definition of climate change adaptation and mitigation, frameworks – UN, National policy and
legislations, theoretical underpinning, approaches and methodologies, factors affecting climate
change adaptation and mitigation, benefits of climate change adaptation, adaption and mitigation
strategies in the built, economic and natural environment, the future adaptation and mitigations
in Kenya
300 LEVEL
ESU 300:
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT
Concepts: environment, impact and assessment. Historical development. Components of EMP.
EIA Process and methods. Typology of impacts. Auditing: nature and steps. Interdisciplinary
approaches to impact analysis. Impact significance. Analysis of alternatives. Stakeholder
involvement. EIA report writing. Institutional arrangements: policy, legislation, information
systems and logistics. EIA report review and decision making. Practical assignment.
ESU 301:
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LAW
Definitions and evolution. Conceptualisation, formulation and implementation. Problems and
issues. Types: conservation and pollution control legislation, common, civil, constitutional and
international law. Conventions, agreements and treaties. Conventional and customary
institutions: functions, authority, coordination and constraints. Enforcement instruments of noncompliance and sanctions. Police power, eminent domain. Selected case studies.
ESU 302:
APPLIED STATISTICS
Measurement: scales, precision, reliability and validity. Frequency distribution and graphic
presentation. Measures of central tendency. Measures of dispersion. Measures of relationships:
correlation and linear regression. Hypothesis testing – Chi square, F-Test, ANOVA.
ESU 304:
RESEARCH METHODS
Meaning of research. Objectives, types, approaches and significance. Empirical Research steps:
topic selection and factors affecting choice. Problem articulation. Research design. Literature
Review. Measurement and operationalization.
Methods of data collection. Sampling.
Instrumentation. Data processing, analysis and interpretation. References, bibliography and
appendix.
ESU 305:
ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
Macro-economic theories. Quantitative methods and their application to Environmental Planning
and Management. Role of economic models in resource planning, utilization and management.
Resource valuation and accounting methods. Environmental cost-benefit analysis. Economic
analysis of environmental quality and management. Economics of development and
environment.
EPM 332: GEOMATIC SURVEYING & ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING II – STUDIO
3C
This unit deepens students’ knowledge in techniques of geomatic surveying and environmental
mapping. Its content: Traversing: rectangular and polar coordinates; types of traverses;
procedure; detection of mistakes. Computation of areas: parcels with straight and irregular
boundaries. Levelling: operational terms; instruments and procedure of levelling; Applications of
levelling. Tacheometry: systems; principles in each system; procedures in stadia tacheometry. Other
methods of environmental mapping: Plane table and compass surveying. Cartographic techniques;
principles of draftsmanship; Map scales; Text and graphic images production; Cartographic
symbols. Sources of mapping data. Map design and construction. Map elements and map
compilation; Factors of map design; Map production procedure; Map revision.
EPM 341:
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
Concepts of development and control. Historical development. Objectives. Provisions and
stipulations. Process. Instruments: police power, de facto, incentive, public ownership, eminent
domain, permits, leases, covenants, servitude, statutory regulations, plan preparation and
enforcement. Participatory/advocacy development control institutions. Liaison Boards
Development control policies in Kenya. Problems and constraints. Case studies.
EPM 345:
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT
Theories of spatial location. Spatial interaction and diffusion. Land use relationships. Analysis of
spatial constraints to development. Planning and management of spatial structures and processes.
Traditional and conventional approaches to the planning and management of human activities in
space. Selected case studies.
EPM 371:
SITE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING - STUDIO 3B
Concepts and objectives. Importance of space in site pattern. Form and structure. Planning
process. Policies and legislation. Infrastructure, amenities and service provision. Landscaping
for recreation, leisure and aesthetics. Environmental considerations. Financing site and
neighbourhood planning. Plan implementation, monitoring, management and administration.
New approaches to site planning. Design: function, layout and character. Presentation. Case
studies.
EPM 372:
RURAL PLANNING - STUDIO 3A
Definitions. Rural planning approaches and techniques. Policies. Planning and management of
specific rural issues: land and settlement, energy, water, wildlife, transport and communication.
Role of stakeholders. Base map preparation. Rural land use. Rural site analysis, planning and
design. Studio plan preparation and presentation.
ESU 303 PROJECT MANAGEMENT, PLANNING & EVALUATION
Concepts and uses of feasibility studies. Types. Project cycles. Team work and feasibility study
preparation. Financial and economic viability and stake-holder analysis. Institutional and
environmental analysis. Design and terms of references. Selection of consultants. Improving the
quality of project feasibility studies.
EPM 381:
FIELD ATTACHMENT AND PLANNING PRACTICE
The objective of field attachment to a planning office is to expose the students to professional
planning practice. The attachment will last for duration of not less than eight weeks. During this
time, the students will work under experienced professional planners both lecturers and field
practitioners. Areas of exposure/internship shall include planning and management of
environmental and specific resources, development control mechanisms, planning and
management techniques, ethical and professional obligations. At the end of the field attachment
and planning practice/internship, the student will be required to submit a written planning report
for examination.
400 LEVEL
CORE UNITS
EPM 424:
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLANNING
Concepts, principles and foundations. Historical development. Objectives and process.
Structural considerations. Support institutions. Importance of public participation, advocacy and
indigenous knowledge. Integration with economic/development framework. Preparation and
implementation. Environmental investment programmes. National and World Bank policies on
Environmental Action Planning. Case studies of status of EAP in selected countries. Field study
and preparation of Environmental Action Planning.
EPM 451:
PLANNING FOR RECREATION AND LEISURE
Definitions and historical development. Socio-cultural, economic, ecological and political
factors. Processes and procedures. Assessment of supply, demand and carrying capacity.
Planning standards. Development and improvement of recreation and leisure resources.
Recreation, leisure and environmental management .Planning and design of recreation and
leisure facilities. Selected case studies.
EPM 452:
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Concept of housing. Indigenous and conventional types. Building materials and ecological
adaptability. Housing needs, demand , supply and affordability. Densities and occupancy ratio.
Design typologies and their implications. Alternative approaches to housing. Planning standards.
Housing policy in Kenya. Housing and environmental management.
EPM 456:
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF URBAN SLUMS AND SQUATTER
SETTLEMENTS
Definitions and characteristics. Factors and problems associated with their development. Urban
planning responses. Problems and constraints. Management and challenges. Community
involvement and mobilization. Planning and design process. Selected case studies.
EPM 463:
ENVIRONMENTAL
MONITORING
MODELLING,
ANALYSIS
AND
SYSTEMS
Definitions of terms. Systems theory and modelling used in environmental planning and
management.
Methodologies of systems analysis.
Conceptualisation and design of
environmental planning models. Systems life cycle. Problem identification and feasibility
assessment.
EPM 464:
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT
History of disasters, theories and principles of disaster management, types of disasters, causes
and effects of disasters, policy and legislative frameworks, disaster management strategies,
experiences in disaster management, best practices in disaster management, components of
disaster preparedness and management in Kenya, case studies.
EPM 471:
URBAN PLANNING - STUDIO 4A
History and theories of urbanization. Types of urban land uses. Integration of environmental
aspects in planning urban land uses. Provision and management of infrastructure, amenities and
services. Study and design of urban land uses. Techniques for preparation of urban master plans.
Management of specific urban problems. Studio project design and report.
EPM 472:
REGIONAL PLANNING - STUDIO 4B
Concepts and historical development. Objectives and theories. Delineation of regional
environmental planning units. Regional development problems and planning policies.
Environmental considerations. Regional land use models. Regional planning process. Regional
resource use and conflicts. Regional development institutions. Design and preparation of
regional development action area plans. Project planning, analysis and implementation. Studio
plan preparation and presentation.
EPM 473:
URBAN DESIGN - STUDIO 4C
Concepts of urban environments. Components, structure, function and activities. Simple- scaled
drawing of buildings and land use plans. Elements of urban physical form. Human and natural
dimensions of urban design. Design method, process, criteria and standards and enforcement.
Policies, plans, guidelines and programmes. Design enforcement. Future prospects of urban
design. Computer assisted design.
EPM 492:
PLANNING/RESEARCH PROJECT
Each student is expected to undertake a planning/ research project with staff supervision. The
subject of such project/research may fall under empirical, land use/urban master plan,
site/landscape design, project evaluation, feasibility study, environmental impact assessment or
any other approved by the Departmental Board.