Where Is Design in Planning Education?

The weight attached to design in planning education has oscillated over time. Whilst comparative research has sometimes drawn attention to the varying focus, style, and culture of planning education across Europe, few studies have examined how design is integrated into programmes, or what constitutes core design knowledge and skills in different settings. By comparing programme content in England, Italy, and Portugal, this chapter seeks to fill this gap. It shows that design is often important, and sometimes even prominent in planning education, but that the focus on design (and its constituent components) is highly variable. We contend that design provides an integrative focus for planning programmes, equipping students with the skills needed to address complex spatial challenges in the built environment. Without sufficient design content, there is a risk that planning practitioners will be ill-equipped to meet future urban challenges.