Cambridge tops University planning school list

David Callaghan, PlanningResource, 6 January 2009

The University of Cambridge’s department of land economy beat the University of Sheffield into second place with Cardiff University coming third in the research assessment.

Data from the tables produced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is used to determine which academic bodies are selected for research grants.

Evidence from 25 submissions was assessed by a panel of 13 experts chaired by Professor John Punter from Cardiff University’s school of city and regional planning, using a star rating system.

University of Cambridge professor of land economy Phil Allmendinger said: "The department is delighted with the result. Researchers at Cambridge are internationally renowned for their work on climate change, regeneration, housing, planning and environmental economics."

He said the assessments were also important because they were used by each individual university when it allocates funding to departments.

The last tables, which were calculated using a different formula, were issued in 2001.

The full ranking was as follows: