Course Catalogue

ES 361   Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment

 

Programme: B.A. Environmental Studies

Credit value: 12

Level: Year 3, Semester 6

General objectives

This course is designed to introduce and familiarize students with the full planning cycle, from the planning stage through impact assessment and implementation till monitoring and evaluation taking into account policy and legal frameworks which immediately affect it.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • describe the (project) planning cycle and its distinct phases;
  • understand the need for EIA in development projects, plans and policies;
  • describe EIA terminologies and standard methods for conducting EIA;   
  • review and critique  EIAs of projects and be able to make sound decisions;
  • describe the process of public policy formulation, the impact of policies on the environment and on planning and the various policy instruments available;
  • describe the global, regional and national policies and laws, rules and regulations that influence the project cycle.

 

Approach to learning and teaching

The course will consist of 15 teaching weeks, one self-study week and two examination weeks. Each week will consist of:

  • 3 theory hours during which the theoretical background will be discussed;
  • 2 other hours which will be used for reading and analysis of scientific articles and opinion articles, guest lectures, presentations and group discussions and the practical implementation of impact assessment and project planning through planning of (fictive) project and conducting a (fictive) impact assessment or providing critique on an existing one;
  • 2 hours of self-study this will be used for self-study of the theory available, collecting information, and preparing papers and presentations.

 

Assessment

     ●   End of semester examination               60%

     ●   Individual assignments                        20%

     ●   Group assignments                              20%

 

Prerequisite: None

Course content

Environmental Planning:

  • environmental planning instruments within rural and urban contexts;
  • project planning cycle;
  • considerations for environment in planning and development processes;
  • carrying capacity in planning and development;
  • environmental planning for sustainable use and management of land and other resources (harvesting of natural products, wildlife, forests, land, mining, waste disposal etc.);
  • environmental planning for aesthetic land use, and planning for green cities;
  • bio - engineering plans for soil erosion control for road constructions;
  • environmental considerations in project planning for industrial development;

Environmental Impact Assessment

  • introduction to environmental impact assessment;
  • impact assessment policies and legislations (general);
  • EIA as planning tools for sustainable development;
  • role of EIA in national project formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
  • EIA principles, processes and methodologies;
  • multi – disciplinary approach to EIA studies;
  • public participation and decision making in EIA processes;
  • application of EIA principles and processes in nationally executed projects;
  • areas of national development concerns where EIA may be applied;
  • national and international case studies in EIA;
  • Bhutan specific EIA, policies, norms, standards, methods and
  • legislations;
  • procedures for issuance of environmental clearance to national development plans and projects’; areas where policy applied;
  • strengths and weaknesses of EIA, reviewing of EIAs that have been completed by National Environmental Commission of Bhutan.

Social and Policy Impact Assessments

·         traditional EIA policies and approaches in different countries; and their limitations;

·         cost–benefit analysis of EIA policy and applications, review of EIA; and current status of EIA in different countries; policy EIA and strategic environmental impact assessments; social impact assessments (SIA) and requirements for other countries.

Reading list

Texts

  1. Abbasi S. A & Ramesh, N., 2003, The Theory and Practice of Environmental Impact and Assessment. …………….
  2. Morgan, R. K., 1998, Environmental Impact Assessment: A Methodological Approach. Springer.

 

Reading list:

  1. Anjaneyulu, Y., 2002, Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies. ……
  2. Glasson, J., 2005, Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment. Spon Press (UK)
  3. Gilpin, A., 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the 21st Century. Cambridge University Press.
  4. Kaesmir, B., Jager, J., Jaeger, C. C & Gardner, M. T, (edn) 2003, Public Participation in Sustainability Science. A hand Book. Cambridge University Press.
  5. Mapualim, R., 2006, Cultural Sustainability and Development: Drukpa and Burma Vernacular Architecture. In Designing Sustainable Cities in the Developing World (Edn) Zetter, R & Watson, G. B). ASHGATE. U.K
  6. Marriott, B. B., 1997, Environmental Impact Assessment: A Practical Guide. McGraw-Hill Professional.
  7. Morris, P & Therivel, R., 2001, Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. Spon Press (UK)
  8. National Environment Commission, 1999, EIA- Background document, sectoral guidelines (full set). National Environment Commission. Royal Government of Bhutan.
  9. Ramachandra, T. V & Kulkarni. V., 2006, Environmental Management. Capital Publishing Company. New Delhi