Parten's Profile



The Development Planning Unit DPU,
University College London UCL

In 2003-04 The Development Planning Unit DPU, University College London UCL celebrates 50 years of service to urban and regional development and institutional and professional capacity building in developing countries .

DPU VISION

A just world in which men and women are equally able to chose, plan and manage their own lives and communities, and to influence local, regional, national and global development in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

DPU MISSION

To build the capacity of professionals and institutions to design and implement innovative, sustainable and inclusive strategies at the local, national and global levels, that enable people, who are generally excluded from decision-making by poverty or cultural identity, to play a full and rewarding role in their own development. The DPU:

• challenges orthodox development agendas through teaching and training in London and throughout the world;

• explores and tests enabling, participatory and gender-aware approaches to development through action-oriented research;

• promotes the formation of strategic partnerships for integrated and inclusive management of cities and development through institutional advice and consultancy;

• supports the networking of individuals, community organisations, NGOs, and public sector institutions which share the DPU’s vision.

DPU ESTABLISHMENT

In London the DPU runs: a doctoral (PhD) research programme; a series of one-year Masters Degree courses; and a range of specialist courses in specific fields of development management and planning. The Unit conducts specially designed training programmes and courses for specific governmental institutions, NGOs and international organisations, as well as for individual professionals and development managers. Each year some 100 participants from more than 35 countries undertake courses or research degrees at the DPU.

Overseas, the DPU Training and Advisory Service assists government departments, metropolitan and local authorities, aid agencies, NGOs and academic institutions. These activities range from short advisory missions to substantial programmes of staff development and institutional capacity building.

The academic staff of the DPU is a multi-disciplinary group of professionals and academics (embracing 11 different nationalities), all with extensive and on-going research and professional experience in various fields of urban, regional and institutional development throughout the world. The DPU Associates is a body of professionals who work closely with the Unit both in London and overseas.

Contact:

Development Planning Unit
University College London

9 Endsleigh Gardens
London WC1H 0ED
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (20) 7679 1111
Fax: +44 (20) 7679 1112
E-mail: dpu@ucl.ac.uk
Web: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu