Rural planning

Capability to study, intervene, and manage procedures for the planning and management of agricultural territory and landscape integration.

The contents referred to in the subject are as follows:
• Conceptual framework of territorial planning. Territory as a system.
• Definition and objectives of planning and management of agricultural territory and landscape.
• Legal framework of territorial planning and landscape planning.
• Methodological aspects of territorial planning and landscape planning.
• Analysis and diagnosis of the territorial system.
• Territorial planning and management.

These contents will be developed through the following modules:

[P: face-to-face learning, in hours (h.); NP: non-face-to-face learning, en hours (h.)]

Theoretical Modules (Expository Teaching):
Module I.- The rural system (4 h. P; 8,5 h. NP)
Topic 1. Introduction. Rural planning: concepts and definitions. Classic concept of rural areas. Systemic concept of rural areas. Complex systems, components, and relationships. Socio-ecological systems.
Topic 2. Components of the rural system. Basic elements of the rural system. Basic composition in subsystems. Physical environment. Population and activities. Nuclei and infrastructures. Norms and institutions.

Module II.- Basic elements in planning (4 h. P; 8,5 h. NP)
Topic 3. Cooperation in planning. Determining elements: tragedy of the commons and governance of the commons. Prisoner's dilemma. Cooperation and planning: normative and deliberative planning. Integration.
Topic 4. Levels in planning. Strategic, tactical, and operational planning. Plans, programs, projects. Levels of formality. Governance.
Topic 5. Perspectives in planning. Typology and structuring of problems. Alternatives to problem management. Identification of potentialities. Normative and deliberative approaches.

Module III.- Legal framework, governance, and instrumentation (4 h. P; 8,5 h. NP)
Topic 6. Governance and levels in planning. Territorial governance. Hierarchical levels in planning.
Topic 7. Planning instruments. Hierarchy in instruments. European instruments. Specific regional instruments. Sectoral instruments.

Practical Module (Interactive Teaching) (12 h. P; 25,5 h. NP)
Practice 1. Inventory and analysis of the territorial system
Practice 2. System diagnosis (I)
Practice 3. System diagnosis (II)
Practice 4. Action strategies
Practice 5. Proposal of alternatives (I)
Practice 6. Proposal of alternatives (II)

In the subject the following basic literature references will be used (in Spanish):
• Gómez Orea, D., 2008. Ordenación territorial. Mundiprensa, Madrid.
• Gómez Orea, D., 1992. Planificación Rural. MAPA - Editorial Agrícola Española, D.L., Madrid.

In the subject the following basic literature references will be used (in English):
• Alexander, E. R. (1992). Approaches to Planning: Introducing Current Planning Theories, Concepts, and Issues. Taylor & Francis.

The following bibliography will be recommended to the students as complementary (in English):
• Filotas, E., Parrott, L., Burton, P.J. (et al.). 2014. Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science. Ecosphere, 5(1): 1-23
• Hardin, G. 1968. The tragedy of the commons. Science 162: 1243-1248
• Steffen et al. 2015. Planetary Boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet. Science Vol. 347 no. 6223

The following bibliography will be recommended to the students as complementary (in Spanish):
• Benabent Fernández de Córdoba, M. 2006. La ordenación del territorio en España: evolución del concepto y de su práctica en el siglo XX. Universidad de Sevilla-Consejería de Obras Públicas y Transportes, Sevilla.
• Crecente, R., Fra, U., Álvarez, C.J., 2001. Concentración Parcelaria en Galicia: Caracterización y Evaluación. Consellería de Agricultura, Gandería e Política Alimentaria, Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela
• Díaz, E.R., Crecente, R., Álvarez, C.J., 2004. Turismo y ordenación del territorio en el municipio de Ribadeo. Ayuntamiento de Ribadeo y Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela
• Fernández Fernández, A., Pardo Abad, C.J., Martín Roda, E.M., Cocero Matesanz, D. 2007. Ordenación del Territorio y Medio Ambiente. UNED, Madrid.
• Galiana, L., Vinuesa, J. 2010. Teoría y práctica para una ordenación racional del territorio. Síntesis, Madrid.
• Martínez de Anguita, P. (Coord.). 2006. Planificación física y ordenación del territorio. Dykinson, Madrid.

In this subject, the student will acquire a series of knowledge through specific contents, as well as a set of skills and abilities, and will put into practice a series of specific competences related to rural planning.

Regarding knowledge and contents, the following will be addressed:

Con01. 1.1. A deep knowledge and understanding of mathematics and other basic sciences inherent to their engineering specialty, enabling them to achieve the rest of the competencies of the degree.
Con04. 1.4 Critical knowledge of the broad multidisciplinary context of engineering and the interrelation that exists between the knowledge of different fields.

Regarding skills and abilities, the following will be developed:

S/A01. 2.1. Ability to analyze new and complex products, processes, and engineering systems within a broader multidisciplinary context; to select and apply the most appropriate methods of analysis, calculation, and established experimental methods, as well as innovative methods, and to critically interpret the results of such analysis. Specifically, in the processes of planning and ordering rural territory and landscape.
S/A07. 4.1. Ability to identify, find, and obtain the required data. Specifically, those necessary for territorial analysis.
S/A12. 5.2. Practical competencies, such as the use of computer tools to solve complex problems, carry out complex engineering projects, and design and direct complex research. Specifically, those oriented towards territorial systems.

Regarding competences, the following will be addressed:

Comp01. CG1 - Ability to plan, organize, direct, and control the productive systems and processes developed in the agricultural sector and the agri-food industry, within a framework that ensures the competitiveness of companies without forgetting the protection and conservation of the environment and the improvement and sustainable development of rural areas.
Comp04. CG4 - Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to solve problems posed in new situations, analyzing information from the environment and synthesizing it efficiently to facilitate the decision-making process in companies and professional organizations in the agri-food sector.
Comp12. CE5 - Adequate knowledge and ability to develop and apply proprietary technology in the planning and management of agricultural territory and landscape integration.
Comp14. CE7 - Adequate knowledge and ability to develop and apply proprietary technology in the study, intervention, and management.

The teaching of the subject will be approached through expository teaching in groups of up to 40 students (12 hours), through participatory lectures. Additionally, interactive teaching aimed at the development of practical cases (12 hours) will be provided. The practical cases will serve to contextualize the theoretical explanations and will require group work from the students. The results of the practical sessions, combined with the personal work of the student, will constitute a practical assignment to be submitted in the form of portfolios.

Specifically, the following methodological elements will be employed:

• Participatory lectures (S/A01. 2.1., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Seminars and conferences (Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Laboratory or field practices (Con01, Con04, S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Computer lab practices (Con01, Con04, S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Use of classic and digital whiteboards (Con01, Con04, S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Use of the virtual classroom (S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Presentations using computers (S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Problem-solving (Con01, Con04, S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Preparation and presentation of course work (S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Learning based on solving practical cases and projects (Con01, Con04, S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Individual and group tutorials (Con01, Con04, S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Autonomous work and independent study by students (S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Group work and cooperative learning (S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Portfolio (S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
• Competency assessment through control exercises (S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2., Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)

The use of the USC virtual platform, as well as the Microsoft Teams application, will streamline the bidirectional flow of information between students and teachers, making the teaching of the subject more agile and facilitating student access to documentation.

The assessment system is mixed, comprising a written exam with objective, development, or oral questions, and the submission of assignments and a portfolio. At the end of the subject, students will take a written test on the contents related to rural planning and will present a portfolio that includes the work, case studies, and exercises developed in the interactive sessions of the subject. The student's grade is a weighted average, 50%-50%, between their performance in the two parts evaluated: exam and portfolio. The subject will not be passed by students who do not obtain a minimum of 5 out of 10 points in each part.

In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for the evaluation of academic performance of students and review of grades" will be applied.

To pass the subject, students are required to attend 75% of the theoretical and practical classes. Non-compliance with attendance will require the student to complete an additional assignment proposed by the professor for passing the subject. Students who have been granted dispensation from attendance must complete a specific additional assignment indicated by the professor. These criteria apply to the first and second opportunity and repeaters. Grades for practical work and exams will be retained only for the academic year.

The distribution of competencies in the evaluation will be as follows:
Exam (50%): Knowledge assessed: Con04; skills assessed: S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1.; Competencies assessed: Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)
Portfolio (50%): Knowledge assessed: Con01, Con04; Skills assessed: S/A01. 2.1., S/A07. 4.1., S/A12. 5.2; Competencies assessed: Comp01. CG1, Comp04. CG4, Comp12. CE5, Comp14. CE7)

Students will dedicate 50 hours to autonomous work and individual study, primarily focused on studying the theoretical elements of the subject, reviewing the basic and recommended bibliography, and developing practical assignments and organizing them into a portfolio.

It is recommended to adhere to the programming of theoretical and practical contents according to the subject manuals for maximum benefit when taking the course. Additionally, teaching materials will be provided to students for pre-session study, allowing them to better understand and assimilate the concepts of the subject. Students are encouraged to actively participate in classes and use tutorials.