Comparison of Two Classrooms: Environmental Knowledge in Urban and Regional Planning Education

Introduction

Higher education in urban planning is the form of spatial planning situated between social and technical expertise, and focuses on interaction between physical design, social, political and economic sciences (Dimitrova, 2013). Yigitcanlar (2011) states that in an era of globalization urban and regional planners accommodate themselves to rapidly changing economic, social and environmental conditions and urban and planning education plays fundamental role in preparing spatial planners to such physical, social, economic and environmental problems.

According to Wang, 2009, pp. 2; Kirschner, Strijbos, Kreijns, & Beers, 2004, “An education system is a unique combination of pedagogical, social and technological components” . Urban and Regional Planning is an applied science whose system of education requires skills and abilities besides pedagogical, social and technological factors. Environmental science and environmental education are the key factors for sustainable urban planning. Environmental science and environmental education in urban planning defines a process which has many different aspects. This process consists of family, indigenous factors, education before university and university education. This chapter analyzes how and where students acquire environmental education from in undergraduate program of department of urban and regional planning in environmental science course It also looks at which subjects the students are weak in, using comparison as a method. “Environmental Education possesses a three-dimensional character as it is internationally accepted (Tsekos, Christoforidou, & Tsekos, 2012, pp. 112; Palmer, 1998).More specifically, Environmental Education is divided into three forms:

• 1.

  Environmental Education about the environment

• 2.

  Environmental Education in or from the environment

• 3.

  Environmental Education for the environment” (Tsekos, Christoforidou, & Tsekos, 2012, pp. 112)

The main aim of this study is to contribute to the analysis of the convergence arising from the increase in globalization and cooperation in higher education and the removal of borders between countries. Another important goal is to research the means of information for students who select the environmental science course through numerical methods. It is seen that the Bologna framework has become crucial to increase cooperation between universities and the mobility of students, academic staff and researchers within the frame of exchange programs. The Bologna framework is an important higher education policy for universities in the globalizing world. When the Bologna process is analyzed, the following main ideas come to the front:

1) nations will work toward a system of easily readable and comparable degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral), including implementation of the Diploma Supplement; 2) the institutional structure will consist of two separate and distinct layers (undergraduate and graduate); 3) a common system of academic credits; 4) co-operation in quality assurance; 5) mobility of students, teachers, and researchers, etc.; 6) the European dimension of higher education; 7) promote lifelong learning; 8) involvement of students; 9) promote the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to the rest of the world; 10) doctoral studies and the synergy between EHEA and the European Research Area. (Begalla, 2013, pp. 66-67; Reinalda & Kulesza, 2006, pp. 9)