Land planning and its "human dimension" are fundamental aspects of managing the physical and human environments.

Knowledge of and correct application of land planning methodologies and solutions is vital for sustainable management of what are often limited resources.  Management of the landscape requires evaluation of potentially many options. Constraints and opportunities are provided by the physical and human environment and this module will highlight different methods that can be used to provide land resource planners with the data required to formulate sustainable plans. Often a range of options are possible and techniques to select optimum solutions will be covered.

At a glance

  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost1400

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Assess the planning context within which land planning will operate,
  • Design surveys to address land planning issues,
  • Practice techniques designed to provide data for land planning,
  • Evaluate classification systems to identify appropriateness for issues of interest,
  • Formulate land planning recommendations, adopting standard practice,
  • Select optimum use of resources within the context of landscape management,
  • Demonstrate teamwork to fulfil exercise objectives and practice oral presentation.

Core content

  • Planning context for land resource planning,
  • Ecosystem services as part of land resource planning,
  • Land classification systems: Land capability classification, land suitability classification, Agricultural Land Classification, parametric methods, landscape assessment,
  • Erosion survey and risk assessment,
  • Incorporating a modelling approach: soil erosion modelling,
  • Resource optimisation methods to inform planning options,
  • Horizon scanning for future land resource planning.

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.