BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN URBANISATION AND SOCIAL AMENITIES DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN URBANISATION & SOCIAL AMENITIES DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
HUD104	Introduction to Planning	This undergraduate course introduces students to the concept of planning in relation to development, planning as a means and process to achieve development. The module will expose them to the planning cycle as an iterative process. The core concepts to be unpacked are ‘planning’ and ‘development’ showing how the concepts are related. Development planning being a multi-dimensional field, involves interaction of planning with other fields.At the end of the module students should be able to provide insights to professional planners, politicians, and administrators/bureaucrats, the general public and other relevant professionals. The overall purpose of the moduleis to equip students with the knowledge and decision-making skills for addressing development planning challenges and ultimately becoming successful planning professional practitioners.
HUD100	Introduction to Urban Sociology	This course seeks to equip the students with insights, design solutions in urban issues from a sociological standpoint.
HUD108	Rural and Urban Institutions and Governance Systems	Governance is an amalgam of specific practices that make the difference between stagnating and flourishing communities. The module focuses on the management practices, structures and systems in both rural and urban areas and the relationships between the process of decision making in the two distinct set ups. At the end of the module students be able to contribute to good governance, efficiency, effective management systems for residents to get good value for their money as well as model and design solutions in various alternative administrative mechanisms.
HUD102	Introduction to Urban Social Inequalities	This is an introductory module offered by the Faculty and Social and Behavioral Theory in the department of Community and Social Development. The Faculty encompasses disciplines which include Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Demography, Political Science and Public Policy and Lifelong Learning. The module is intended to provide foundational knowledge to students to enhance their understanding, skills, values, attitudes and competencies in their study of urban social inequalities in the urban set up. The students will use the knowledge gained in this module as analytical tools meant to understand and explain varying issues on urban social inequalities individuals, groups, communities and societies face in the global world. The module is also the beginning of preparation for the world of work as social scientists, urban planners and urban development innovation. The module offers a critical introduction to key issues and processes in the study of contemporary urban social inequalities. It examines the role of older basis of urban social inequalities such as access to land and property, gender inequality, health disparities, ethnic and racial discrimination, legal exclusion and informality as well as significant emerging patterns including extreme concentrations of wealth at the top, privatization and spatial secession, immiserating and insecurity. It examines ways in which urban inequality is organised and experienced not only in terms of income or property but in consumption inequalities, inequities in access to housing, transport, urban services and legal protections, spatial disparities and environmental risks and injustices. The module therefore considers the range of socio-economic factors that shape and might help to address urban social inequality in different contexts.
HUD103	Urbanisation and Regional Development	This module focuses on and introduces the concepts urban and regional development planning and management. The concept of urbanisation frameworks, models and guidelines based on the changes between the characterisation of being rural to being urban. The concept of regional development on the other hand will discuss the development cities and its interrelationship with the hinterland and hence the link between urbanisation and regional development. At the end students will be able to contribute to inclusive regional development efforts.
HUD106	Community Infrastructure Management	Purpose of the course is to capacitate students with relevant knowledge and skills that will make them valuable in the workplace after comprehending the importance of community infrastructure with actors responsible for managing both hard and soft infrastructure. The management of urban infrastructure is imperative in the development of sustainable cities. Recent developments in developing world cities have seen the continued degradation of public infrastructure. This presents a need for the development of strategies to manage public infrastructure. This module introduces students to the processes and approaches necessary for sustainable public infrastructure management.
FSBT100	Social & Behavioural Theory (Faulty Wide Module)	This interdisciplinary module introduces students to foundational concepts in the social and behavioural sciences, spanning Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Demography, Political Science, Public Policy, and Lifelong Learning. It equips students with analytical tools, values, and competencies to study human behaviour and society through the lens of social and behavioural theory. Emphasis is placed on theorising as a practical activity, encouraging students to critically apply theory to issues affecting individuals, groups, communities, and societies. The module also serves as preparation for professional practice, fostering skills for engaging with policy, politics, economics, and knowledge production as emerging social scientists.
SDLSSB101	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
IDSB101	Information & Digital Skills (University Wide Module)	The Information and Digital Skills module develop learners’ ability to find, assess, and use information effectively while building confidence with digital tools. It covers online research, data management, communication, and collaboration, emphasizing ethical and responsible practices. By completion, learners can critically engage with digital resources across academic, professional, and everyday settings.
LAICSBND100	Language Acquisition And Intercultural Communication For Social And Behavioural Sciences - NDEBELE	This module provides students with a foundation in spoken Ndebele and introduces basic aspects of Ndebele linguistic structure. A conversational approach will be adopted, with students spending a significant amount of time on oral practice. It is a university-wide module designed to meet the needs of non- Ndebele -speaking students. The module seeks to contribute to the branding of the UZ graduate by responding to the needs of industry and society, producing graduates who are able to communicate effectively with local communities where language may otherwise be a barrier to access and success.Together with its cultural corollary, the module offers specialist communicative training for individuals working or intending to work with language across various programmes and within different communities. The module will also function as a language clinic, providing learners with opportunities to seek clarification on issues related to Ndebele language learning as well as broader Ndebele socio-cultural matters. Ndebele is an official language and the second most widely spoken language in Zimbabwe. It belongs to the Nguni subgroup of the Bantu language family, which implies a degree of mutual intelligibility between Zimbabwean Ndebele and other Nguni languages such as Zulu, Xhosa, Swati and South African Ndebele. These languages are spoken by more than 40 million people across South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe
HUD204	Gender and Urbanisation	In the post-2015 development agenda, women’s empowerment and gender equality have become priorities for sustainable development meant to lift up the well-being of all global inhabitants. Achieving such far reaching, sustainable change is predicated upon the establishment of good governance which necessarily includes women as stakeholders in decision making processes. Such incorporation of women’s voices in policy and planning would contribute to the building of cities that allow all urban inhabitants to thrive equally. In this module, we thus explore the systemic changes that would lead to an ideal system of gender-sensitive urban governance. At the end of the module students should be in a position to engage with local authorities s in planning and developing gender inclusive cities
HUD203	Social Amenities Development	The planning and management of human settlements entails a continuous process of analysis, decision making, organising and controlling development activities and evaluating results to improve future policies and their implementation. Social amenities development entails the provision of public facilities such as water, sanitation, electricity, education, public institutions, welfare services, sporting and recreational facilities within human settlements. At the end of the module students should be able to produce models of social amenities development and to engage local authorities.
HUD206	Principles of Urban Informatics and Analytics	Development of social amenities requires a deeper understanding of the principles behind the design of urban settlements. This module introduces students to the design principles that then equip students with the ability to assess community designs towards the development of socially sustainable urban settlements. At the end of this module, students will be able to assess and explain the sustainability of any urban settlement based on its design. Theories of urban design and design standards will be central in this module.
HUD210	Introduction to Urban Housing	This undergraduate course deepens students’ understanding of the concepts and practical application of housing in the context of urbanization. The module will expose them to role(s) various actors (state and non-state) play in the provision of urban housing. The core concepts to be unpacked are ‘urban’ and ‘housing’ from a historical perspective to current practice. Conventional methods of housing provision, community architecture, laws and legislature governing housing provision, urbanization, planning and the housing challenge will be taught or discussed. The module will also familiarize students with pre- and post-independence planning and housing, planning institutions and low-income housing. Such an approach will particularly allow practical exposition of integration of the social, political/governance, economic and environmental aspects form an interdisciplinary context on urban housing.
HUD209	Urban Health Systems	This module introduces the concept of urban health systems to students. It introduces two key ideas that are; what makes cities work and how urban environments and or ecosystems affects human health. This module equips students with skills to understand urban/sub-urban/semi-rural environments that are created by humans. Students will be exposed to how homes, neighborhoods, cities and regions impact public health and the challenges urban environments face negatively impacting human health and wellbeing. At the end, students are expected to contribute and offer advice to local and central government on the identification of urban health system challenges, and patterns that emerge, whilst coming up with models and policies that reduce impacts of diseases in urban areas.
HUD207	Principles of Urban Design	Development of social amenities requires a deeper understanding of the principles behind the design of urban settlements. This module introduces students to the design principles that then equip students with the ability to assess community designs towards the development of socially sustainable urban settlements. At the end of this module, students will be able to assess and explain the sustainability of any urban settlement based on its design. Theories of urban design and design standards will be central in this module.
HUD203	Social Amenities Development	The planning and management of human settlements entails a continuous process of analysis, decision making, organising and controlling development activities and evaluating results to improve future policies and their implementation. Social amenities development entails the provision of public facilities such as water, sanitation, electricity, education, public institutions, welfare services, sporting and recreational facilities within human settlements. At the end of the module students should be able to produce models of social amenities development and to engage local authorities.
SDLSSB201	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
CCLSSB201	Critical Consciousness & Life Skills (University Wide Module)	Develops students’ awareness of social, cultural and personal issues while fostering essential life skills for decision-making, problem-solving and responsible citizenship.
RISSB202	Research and Innovation Skills (Faculty Wide Module)	This module equips learners with the essential knowledge, tools, and practices required to conduct effective research and foster innovation in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial settings. It emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and the application of systematic research methods to generate new ideas and solutions.
SSRM201	Social Science Research Methods (Faculty Wide Module)	This module engages with the emergence of Social Science Research Methods and their need to deal with unique experiences, meanings making processes and interpretations of people and thus of society. At the end of the module students should be able to conduct qualitative research to inform policies and development initiatives.
LAICSBGMB200	Language Acquisition And Intercultural Communication For Social And Behavioural Sciences -GERMAN	This is a German language module that focuses on the development of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as well as intercultural communication skills. It aims to equip students with basic German language skills necessary for professional and social interaction while fostering the ability to recognise, analyse and navigate cultural differences in German-speaking environments. This will be achieved through communicative, action- and learner-oriented teaching methods which are anchored on the intercultural approach.
HUD300	Monitoring and Evaluation for Social Projects	This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methodologies, and tools required for the effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of social projects in the context of urban development. It is designed to equip students and with the knowledge and skills to assess the implementation, performance, and impact of social projects aimed at addressing challenges in urban areas, such as housing, sanitation, education, health, and community empowerment. The module emphasizes evidence-based decision-making and the role of M&E in enhancing accountability, transparency, and sustainability of social interventions.
HUD303	Administrative Law	At the end of the module learners should be able to offer basic advice to local authorities and central government on the role of administrative structures in ensuring that the public is protected in development of smart cities.
HUD305	Geographic Information Systems for Urban Development	Cities are tremendously growing, ever evolving and becoming more complex. In order to manage cities and the activities therein, robust, nuanced and constantly updated spatial data with complementary problem-solving skills to apply the information is a requirement. Cities as systems have several subsystems that requires to be managed systematically in order to comprehensively meet human needs. This module provides students with requisite skills to inquire on the context of human settlements plan decisions, manage registers, and control development. At the end of the module students will be able to utilise mapping skills as well as GIS skills to capture, store and analyse data that enables them to come up with feasible solutions that create sustainable and resilient human settlements. Goods produced by the student are in the form of maps, guidelines and manuals usable by communities.
HUD380	Industrial Attachment	Industrial Attachment provides learners with supervised, hands-on practical experience in a real-world organizational or community development setting. The module bridges theory and practice by allowing students to apply knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to professional environments. It focuses on experiential learning, workplace ethics, problem-solving, and professional development, while exposing learners to institutional operations, project implementation, and stakeholder engagement. The module also emphasizes reflective practice, reporting, and supervision to enhance learning outcomes and career readiness.
EPECPSB301	Entrepreneurship, Professional Ethics Communication and Philosophy (University Wide Module)	The module capacitates students with skills to organically grow enterprises through cultivating employees that are creative and innovative. These skills and knowledge are the corner stone of enterprise growth as they remove dependence on the owners to all in the organisation. Through the module organisational rejuvenation and sustainable competitiveness hence growth is guaranteed.
SDLSSB301	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
HUD400	Integrated Development Management	The module will introduce students to the need for an integrated approach in addressing development challenges faced by communities in defined spatial areas. The module will help students appreciate the shortcomings of silo sectorial approaches to development by showing the interconnections across sectors. At the end of the module students will be able to offer advice to coordinate development players and activities for enhanced development.
HUD402	Infrastructure Damage Assessment	Following the trends in global climate change, urban settlements have become more vulnerable to various kinds of disasters that affect the sustainability of human settlements. This module equips students with skills and knowledge to come up with innovative ways of responding to and managing disasters. During this module, students are introduced to methods and strategies to assess the extent of damages caused by disasters particularly on social amenities.
HUD403	Politics and Urban Space	Firstly, the course provides information on the unique characteristics of the urban environment for politics concerning place and policy-making, as well as the ongoing conflict between place and people-based policies. Our understanding of urban politics and policy-making in this course is informed by multidisciplinary knowledge in urban planning, sociology, geography, public policy and public administration, which are basically interdisciplinary fields of knowledge generation.Secondly, the goal of the course is to give you the knowledge and analytical abilities to investigate and evaluate issues pertaining to laws that control the operations, issues and daily life of a city. You can anticipate using a comparative lens to study issues that are prevalent in Zimbabwean cities' urban settings throughout the country.
HUD407	Virtual Engagement and Urban Intelligence	Urban challenges are becoming complex and now require more data and rigorous analytical methods. The module requires one to model and design solutions on how to manipulate available urban data for the management of urban problems. The module equips students with a rigorous model and design solutions in software packages to develop virtual reality as well as modelling the city’s system. At the end of the module students will develop protocols for urban problems management
HUD406	Environment, Climate Change and Cities	In a world which has suffered great losses as a result of the increased incidence and severity of both natural and man- made disasters it is important for all players in development and disaster management to be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to reduce disaster risk. Climate change is one of the sombre social crises of our time, at the same time the world is becoming more and more urban. Climate change is adding to the complexity of dealing with existing environmental and urban problems that are already intersecting with gender, class, race, ethnicity and other categories.
HUD405	Public Sector Finance	The public sector is constituted by central and local governments. This module covers the nature of public finance and the principal roles played by both central and local governments in the optimal allocation of resources at national and local levels. At the end of the module students will be able to offer a service to local authorities on good practices of management of public funds.
HUD470	Research Project	The module seeks to create skills of knowledge creation through giving students an opportunity to innovatively choose research problems and address them with the aid of the supervisor. The ultimate aim of this module is to enhance the student’s social research skills through informed and accumulated academic theory for subsequent practice and also consolidate the gained knowledge. At the end of the module students should be able to do independent research and produce quality honours research reports
SDLSSB401	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.