As part of the Scottish Government’s planning reform programme, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP, visited the University on 6 May 2010 to hear directly about the award-winning MSc programme in Real Estate, Planning and Regeneration. John Swinney

After initial discussions with the Principal and senior colleagues, Mr Swinney met academic staff, postgraduate students and recent alumni involved in the programme (which is professionally accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

Two groups of planning students presented Mr Swinney with their ideas to regenerate the Dalmarnock area of Glasgow, drawing on their recent projects in Spatial Planning Strategies.

Mr Swinney welcomed the innovative student thinking for inner Glasgow represented by the projects and spoke more broadly about the role and importance of spatial planning in securing fundamental transformation in economic prosperity and the quality of life throughout Scotland. He drew particular attention to the importance of development economics in planning education and commended academic staff at Glasgow for the strong emphasis in the MSc programme on effectively linking spatial planning, place-making and development economics.

Professor David Adams, Ian Mactaggart Chair of Property and Urban Studies, who organised Mr Swinney’s visit on behalf of the University said: “We very much welcome this high-level recognition within Government of the importance of University planning education and of the contribution Glasgow planning graduates are making to the social, economic and environmental well-being of Scotland and well beyond.”

Further information: Martin Shannon, Senior Media Relations Officer, University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593

First published: 11 May 2010

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