Considering our country is prone to natural disasters, the development of our country is a crucial factor. The management and planning of the land is what is needed to provide a structure that can be beneficial to the sustainability of the country’s structure. In this month’s post, the respective routes will provide you with careers you can pursue in Urban Development as well as some technical pathways that can be beneficial.
Skip to Sections
Academic Routes Technical RouteAcademic Routes
Before you start an academic course, there are a few things that you should consider:
- Entry requirements
- Subjects you need for the career(s) you have in mind
Be sure to speak to us at Brain Food TCI, or any other career advisor you may have access to, if you need assistance where entry requirements are concerned.
Secondary and Post-secondary towards Higher Education
Most, if not all, high schools require you to do CXCs, GCSEs, or any other equivalent to be able to excel to Higher Education (college/university). In institutions in the Caribbean, such the University of the West Indies, you are required to have 5 CXC (CSEC & CAPE) OR iGCSE & GCE subjects, including Mathematics and English.
If an institution does not have any of these examination bodies listed when searching what is required, search for equivalencies through their admissions page or contact them directly for more information. Also, some courses may require you to have certain subjects other than Mathematics and English that are compulsory entering the course. Be sure to check the entry requirements to know exactly what is required.
Higher Education
As mentioned earlier, CXCs and/or other equivalents are required to proceed to this level. In higher education, you can obtain:
Undergraduate
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
Postgraduate
- Master’s Degree
- Ph. D.
Depending on your journey and your career choice, you can decide how far you need to go in terms of further education. You do not need to pursue a Master’s degree or Ph. D. unless it is required based on your career choice.
Urban Development Related Courses
University of the West Indies Faculty of Engineering Programmes
The UWI St Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago) campus is home to three suitable courses for the Urban Planning Career:
- BSc. Geomatics (MSc. GeoInformatics)
- BSc. Land Management
- BSc. Civil and Environmental Engineering
To see more posts like these subscribe for monthly updates:
University of the West Indies (St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago)
The department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management focuses on areas of priority and new themes within research that have been identified and is pursued. The focal points of the research covers areas in geomatics, geodesy, land administration, spatial analysis, geoinformatics, spatial and settlements planning the environment and ecosystems. These courses are designed to cover areas such as:
- Mapping, monitoring, and modelling land use/cover dynamics for the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment;
- Urban structure and urban form in the Caribbean; and
- Global climate change, climate change and food security, sea level change.
BSc. Geomatics
The Geomatics course was created to provide a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the theory and methods of land surveying and the management of land information that will prepare and enable the individual to be to able to work effectively in response
to regional, national and international needs. The learning outcomes, just to name a few, would be to explain the principles, theories, tools, and techniques of surveying and land information. It will also allow you to have the ability to appropriately apply specialised knowledge in land surveying and land information management and other transferable skills appropriate to a wide range of disciplines. For more course information, click here and see page 42.
For entry requirements, click here and see page 4.
MSc. Geoinformatics
The purpose of this course is to provide high-quality, professional graduate instructions in geoinformatics that will lead to very productive careers and lifelong learning. It will also develop research capabilities to contribute to the further academic and professional development of geoinformatics.
Entry requirements for this course are as follows:
- A Second Class Honours BSc degree in Geomatics Engineering and Land Management or a degree in a related area from a recognised institution.
- Master’s candidates should normally possess at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree in the specific subject area or a degree in a related area with a record of experience in the subject area.
- MPhil candidates should normally possess at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent in the area in which he/she is working or in a related area. Holders of a Pass Degree or a General Bachelor’s Degree must normally pass qualifying examinations.
- A candidate may be required to satisfy such prerequisites as are deemed necessary before proceeding to the Master’s degree programme.
For general information on this course, click here. For further information, click here and see page 13.
BSc. Land Management
This course aims to provide the individual with expert training, and to be able to graduate as a valuation surveying professional who will be proficient in the principles and concepts of valuation surveying, within the framework of land management, in support of the Caribbean region’s socioeconomic and environmental goals and objectives. Their objective is to:
- Apply appropriate skills to satisfy a growing need for effective land valuation and land management in support of economic, environmental and social goals;
- Interact with other key professionals in the construction industry to support national, institutional, and individual physical development goals; and
- Advance research and application in land valuation, land management, land administration, and land economy, both regionally and locally.
For more course information, click here and see page 44.
For information on entry requirements, click here and see page 4.
MSc. Urban and Regional Planning
The continuation to this level in this course focuses on the evolution of theoretical perspectives on planning, especially with a developing country planning epistemology. Their aims are to equip the graduate with the knowledge associated with policy planning, strategic and development planning, physical planning and design, as well as development control in areas of development relevant to the Caribbean region. The objective is to equip students with an understanding of the information being taught as well as cover the methods and procedures for making plans for physical development.
Entry requirements are as follows:
- Master’s candidates should normally possess at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree in the specific subject area or a degree in a related area with a record of experience in the subject area.
- MPhil candidates should normally possess at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent in the area in which he/she is working or in a related area. Holders of a Pass Degree or a General Bachelor’s Degree must normally pass qualifying examinations.
- A candidate may be required to satisfy such prerequisites as are deemed necessary before proceeding to the Master’s degree programme.
For general information on the course, click here. For further information, click here and see page 13.
BSc. Civil with Environmental Engineering
Completing this course will develop the individual’s skills in the engineering sub-disciplines and project management. It also offers specialisation in the five sub-disciplines within your final year of study. What it is designed to do is to give the individual knowledge, understanding, and the ability to initiate and carry out civil infrastructure projects. These projects will allow you to:
- Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgments;
- Frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution (or identify a range of solutions) to a civil or environmental engineering system or design problem;
- Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audience.
Entry requirements would require you to have Cape units I & II with at least grade 4 in Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, (CSEC in Chemistry) OR GPA 3.0 – 3.4 – COSTAAT/UTT/UTECH/BCC. For more information on the entry requirements, click here and see page 3. For a course break down, click here and see page 37.
University of Technology (Jamaica)
BSc. Civil Engineering
The course is designed to provide an educational programme of basic and specialised engineering knowledge that would be necessary for its graduates to be proficient in recognized specialties of civil engineering, namely, Construction, Structural Engineering and Environmental Engineering. The information that is taught will provide graduates with the tools that will make them successful in the period following graduation and help to prepare them for eventual licensure as Professional Engineers.
Some careers that can be obtained from studying this course are:
- Civil Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Construction Civil Engineer
For more information on the course, click here. For entry requirements, click here.
Technical Routes
Internships & Volunteering
Participate in local volunteering and international Business related programs.
It is encouraged that you take local opportunities in urban development. Even if it’s volunteering with departments that contribute to the cause, take the small opportunities right in front of you.
Here is a potential place to seek volunteering opportunities:
The technical routes in this field are quite similar but 100% practical. With the option below, you can obtain skills and experience that can lead you to a successful progression in the field and make it easier to get your foot in the door.
Go abroad is a website that helps you to find volunteer opportunities suited for your area of choice and country of choice. On this website you can find just about anything, including volunteer programs in environmental conservation in Jamaica. To learn more and get involved, click here.
From the information provided, you can start right here in your region and at home. Feel free to embark on those opportunities. Always remember to embrace all opportunities near or far.
Resources
Below is a list of YouTube videos that will bring some insight to Urban Development and its functionality.
Brain Food TCI 