Introduction
The department is housed in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences among other disciplines like Architecture, Estate Management, Fine Art, Quantity Survey, Surveying and Geo-informatics, Building. The disciplines of the faculty have various aspects of both the natural and built environment.
Over the years the department has graduated about two hundred (200) students. The majority of the students attend their lectures regularly, and the lecturers in turn have always shown interest, dedication and commitment to their work. The richness of the programme, the healthy inter-personal relationship between the students and the academic staff have been all rewarding.
Currently the Academic Staff strength has risen to fourteen (14) lecturers and non-academic staff strength of three (3).
Philosophy
The programmes of Urban and Regional Planning of Imo State University will strive to widen the scope of the profession of planning and to provide Imo State in particular, and the nation in general, with high skilled, competent and research oriented professionals in Urban and Regional Planning. The department has a mission:
1. To produce a diverse student population that will become leaders in rapidly-changing urban environments, with skills for working with wide ranging constituencies and the commitment towards lifelong professional development.
2. To produce planning professionals that will perform effectively in the public, private and non-profit sectors with a strong education in general planning, as well as specialized training in planning sub-fields.
3. To maximize the potentials of graduates who will seek professional positions, providing them with entry-level skills as well as the depth and flexibility needed to progress in the field.
Objectives
1. Prepare students to engage in planning processes that recognize a complex, pluralistic democratic society. Students develop the capacity to work with diverse publics, across government agencies, and private and non-profit sectors. Planning processes include the identification of objectives, design of possible courses of action, and evaluation of alternatives.
2. To provide a broad base understanding of planning theories and practice through exposure to concepts, methodologies, field techniques and applications concerned with the functioning of urban areas and the planning process.
3. To ensure the programs excellence in teaching, advising and student mentoring with focus on real world professional practice.
4. To adopt curricula innovations in response to the rapidly evolving nature of the profession, and familiarize students with state of the art planning concepts, skills and applications.
5. To partner with practicing professionals, communities, organizations and the leadership of our region, towards shaping a strong and equitable community.
6. To influence the development of knowledge and innovative planning practices through research, public service and class base activities.
Admission Requirements
UTME:
In addition to having a UTME Score acceptable to the University and also a post UTME score, each candidate must have at least five credit level passes. These must include English language, Mathematics, Geography and any two of Economics, Tech, Drawing, Government, Biology and Chemistry, Physics and fine Arts. Candidates possessing other qualifications may be considered by the senate on the recommendation of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Direct Entry:
Holders of the National Diploma in URP or a closely related field of environmental sciences may be considered for direct entry admission. Such candidates, however must have obtained
a. The five credits mentioned above,
b. Not less than a lower credit in National Diploma.