M. Plan Course or Master of Planning programme is a two-year course that offers specialisation in several areas. The programme focuses on providing skills in urban and rural development, transport development, infrastructure planning and similar fields. If you are interested in pursuing the course, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria. Most institutions require students to be B. Plan or B. Arch graduates from recognised universities.
Some institutions also accept B. Tech or B.E graduates with architectural engineering, civil or planning from recognised universities as honours. A few universities offering M. Plan Course extend admission to candidates having master’s degrees in geography, sociology or economics from recognised universities. A minimum of 55 percent marks is required to apply for admissions in the course. Applicants may also have to pass an entrance examination and an interview depending on the institution they choose.
The M. Plan course is usually offered with specialisations although some institutions offer it as a whole. Candidate eager to pursue the programme should know what these specialisations are so that they can make informed decisions.
Urban and Regional Planning focuses on teaching students how to optimise the use of land and its resources in a sustainable and organised manner. Students who pass this M. Plan course typically work as urban planners from the local to regional level. They can use their expertise to plan and guide the establishment of infrastructure and land-use activities in individual cities and larger areas of land.
Having an M. Plan degree in urban and regional planning paves the way for several job opportunities. They may apply for positions, such as urban planner, urban designer, regional planner and city planner. They can find employment in public, private and non-government sectors.
Students who choose to take up Environmental Planning as a specialisation under M. Plan course are taught how to make use of land for development while considering the environmental aspects in conjunction with social, political and governance factors. This specialisation is growing in importance as urban development escalates and the threat to the natural environment increases. Environmental planners scientifically evaluate different elements to plan sustainable development of human settlements. Students pursuing the course may need to train with environmental agencies to get first-hand knowledge of the complexities present and how to deal with them.
Environmental planners can find employment with non-government organisations, governments and consulting firms. They are responsible for planning, preparing and monitoring environmental research. They also estimate pollutant levels and find ways to mitigate them.
Transportation planning is a very important field of study as it focuses on the planning, operation and management of facilities to accommodate future transportation assets, especially in public transit systems. Students who take up this specialisation under M. Plan course will learn how to study, prepare and implement plans and policies to manage transport systems. Transportation planning incorporates several specialisations such as urban and regional planning as it involves different organisations for successful implementation.
There is a big demand for transportation planners today. With India emerging as a fast-growing economy, there is a need for experts like transport planners to help governments increase efficient mobility. As a transport planner, you will work with governments to develop and organise mass transit. You will be tasked with planning and developing transport routes.
Infrastructure planning deals with the planning and development of infrastructure to serve a town, city or region. This specialisation of M. Plan course will introduce students to the facilities and services that are essential for the functioning of an economy. Such facilities include but are not limited to structures like sewers, telecommunications, roads and bridges. They will learn to assess and draw plans to create new infrastructure and improve existing ones.
There is a growing need for specialists like infrastructure planners. As India moves forward and urbanisation slowly spreads, it is necessary to have experts who can plan and realise the development of essential facilities and services. Infrastructure planners may coordinate with other specialists like environmental planners to come up with sustainable solutions for the development.
The M. Plan course also offers specialisation in housing. This field of study focuses on creating housing strategies at various levels, housing and community development, project design and housing finance. With an entry of private and public corporations as well as MNCs and the establishment of financial institutions for housing, there is a requirement for housing planners to work with governments, private and public sectors and non-government organisations. The M. Plan course in Housing introduces students to various aspects of housing, including real estate planning, building materials and technology, housing policies, housing for areas affected by man-made and natural disasters, etc.
Housing planners help develop structures that cater to the needs of residential communities. They study data and prepare reports and proposals for how best to facilitate the development of housing, parks and other residential requirements in compliance with land use regulations, zoning laws and building codes. Most housing planners work with governments although they can find employment in the private sector as well.
The M. Plan course is of special significance in today’s changing economy. It arms students with the skills needed to prepare for development and meeting the challenges that accompany a growing economy.