Research methodologies, critically reviewing literature, research design and ethics, data collection methods (qualitative, quantitative and mixed), analysis methods, research writing and dissemination. Individual research, production of a dissertation, reflection on work undertaken.

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The following areas will be explored in this module

Introduction to crowds
This aspect will focus on, body size and their effect on crowd densities. The impact of crowd density on movement. The relationships between walk speed, crowd density, crowd flow and user experience.

Level of Service Concept in complex environments.
The concept of level of service will be explored. Levels of service in different physical contexts (e.g., level ground vs. stairs), event mode (ingress vs. egress) and physical environment (e.g., public space vs. built environment).

Design and Operational Standards
Design standards and guidance vs. operational parameters for crowd densities, flow rates, egress and evacuation times. Design and operational standards in different environments (events, stadiums, rail stations, multi-venue precincts) and during different phases of an event and how these are applied in multi venue situations.

Human and Crowd Behaviour.
In this section, students will learn how an understanding of the Objectives, Knowledge and information available to individuals as well as least cost principles influence human and crowd movement and behaviours.

Crowd Disasters and Risk Management
During this part of the module, crowd hazards and risks arising within and from crowded places will be examined. Risk assessment and management will be a focus leading into the lessons learned from crowd disasters through the use of case studies. Organising for safety is a key aspect interrogated in this section.

Crowd Modelling & Simulation
An introduction to modelling concepts and how these are utilised in project terms will be developed. Types of crowd model: qualitative, static, mesoscopic, microscopic / simulation modelling will be explored and applied. The benefits and disadvantages of each will be identified. Inputs to crowd models, sensitivity and scenario testing will also be explored. Questions to ask of crowd consultants and models will be developed through the use of case studies.

Crowd Planning
Worked examples of crowd plans will be explored and crowd demand and density distribution tackled. The areas of capacity, evacuation capacities, queueing, demand forecasting, risk and sensitivity testing will all be investigated

Crowd Monitoring.
The different techniques, benefits and pitfalls of crowd monitoring will be explored and applied.

The final outcome of the module will be engage students in the creation of models of good practice and to prepare a case study using their own models to explain how an event or challenging situation could have been averted, modified or delivered differently through the use of hindsight and good practice.

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Organisational Structure - You will apply processes that show that there is no ‘off the peg’ organisational or structural approach through which to deliver safe and secure events. Through the module you will assimilate techniques to assist you in making decisions and will explore ways in which to influence and change the incumbent organisational structures and cultures. This will ensure the effective delivery of crowded space management. Selecting a team with clearly defined roles and responsibilities in both normal and crisis situations does not often fit prescribed models and the module will support the appraisal of such structures and support the delivery of defined objectives through each phase of crowded space management to ensure a safe and secure event environment.

Effective Leadership – Through the recognition and development of leadership traits, you will synthesize the numerous leadership styles and their consequential impact on organisational structure and culture. Critically appraising the similarities and differences between leadership and management will support you in the discovery and shaping of organisational values and processes to develop effective teams. You will learn to define a working strategy and achievable outcomes that can be communicated both within the organisational structure and then apply this in practice. Alongside this an exploration of the many and varied external stakeholders vital to the success of an event and you will apply the theories developed supported by effective communication in the workplace.

Negotiation & Influence – With many stakeholders involved in the safe delivery of events, you will critically assess the key skills underpinning negotiation and influence to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and to achieve the ‘buy in’ that is often required. A critical appraisal of effective compromise will be utilised to support effective and efficient delivery of these skills. Learning the psychological aspects of negotiation along with proven tactics will enable you to effectively demonstrate in role play exercises the application of these techniques. Where there is identified conflict, you will learn how to de-escalate tensions and work with stakeholders to collaborate and negotiate workable solutions.

Team Building – Aligned to organisational structure and the nature of the event, you will learn how to develop capability and capacity across all of the teams involved in the delivery of a safe crowded space in normal and emergency situations (internal, external, voluntary and contracted). Developing minimum standards, clear objectives and code of conduct along with recognition and reward in the building of effective teams. You will be able to critically analyse the importance of briefing and debriefing to capture learning points for sharing across venues.

Crisis Management & Communication – You will critically determine the principles of crisis management and communication to ensure preparedness should an event be affected by an unforeseen circumstance. Through the use of table top exercises you will demonstrate the effective application of crisis leadership and management techniques and be able to clearly articulate communications for both internal and external functioning during such an event. A number of case studies will be used to assist you to identify common pitfalls and the importance of a holistic approach to duty of care with both its legal and moral obligations.

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Students will cover a comprehensive range of academic and theoretical concepts, many of which are evolving. These are linked to the management and command of crowded space / crowded place events and operations. Students will explore and critically reflect on case study reviews, have access to current and emerging effective practice and explore threats to safety, security and service at events. By synthesizing underpinning knowledge students will identify how they can develop and implement management policies and practices that support the delivery of successful events.

All of the concepts related to this area will take into consideration social and psychological theory and practice and will look at how these in relation to the management of an event.

Building on key concepts, in work practice and CPD students will identify how management and command structures operate to minimise, mitigate and manage threats to crowded space. The module will include application of crowd management science and practice, responsibility for developing event profiles adopting best practice and using effective information & intelligence. Critical appreciation and understanding of the identification of appropriate contingencies and realistic worse case terrorism threats will enable them to develop proportionate responses to support an event. From this the effect that this has on those involved will be monitored from a psychosocial angle.

Tutors will facilitate theory into practice by drawing on significant UK / International experience in the delivery, management and command of events and incidents. Students will identify how, in their workplace, crowd management and public safety plans are supported by physical and personnel security features. Importantly students will develop the knowledge and critical understanding of how crowd movement through ingress, circulation and egress can be maintained whilst protective security overlays are deployed.

Case studies and immersive exercises will be utilised supported by research project and critically reflective pieces which will support students in the consolidation of learning. Students will be integral to practical projects incorporating the life cycle of an event from conceptualisation, planning, quality assurance delivery through to review. These activities will incorporate current guidance on a zonal approach to crowd management at venues including ‘Zone Ex’ and grey space.

Interoperability and working in partnerships will be key themes, enabling students to work as effective managers or as part of an event management team to deliver safe events. Emergency and critical incident command principles will be covered with access to operationally and occupationally competent facilitators. Students will apply current practices related to decision making under pressure, problem solving and implementation of plans supported by contingencies in practice as part of the workshops on the module.

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Research methodologies, critically reviewing literature, research design and ethics, data collection methods (qualitative, quantitative and mixed), analysis methods, research writing and dissemination.

Further information

This module will explore the synergies between spatial planning contexts and how both urban and non-urban settings and environments are governed by similar topographic, situational and physical rules. The module will also explore how the management of crowds is dictated primarily by space and how we ensure that the risk aspect of the spatial context is reduced to a minimum so that crowds can gather dynamically in a safe environment.

The module will cover a comprehensive range of academic, theoretical and current concepts linked to the management of crowded space / crowded place events. The tutor will identify and reflect on case study reviews, identify and access current and emerging effective practice and explore threats to safety, security and services at events. By developing underpinning, knowledge students will identify how they can develop managerial policies & practices which support the delivery of successful events.

By combining theoretical approaches and practical cases - notably from recent incidents or disasters related to crowd management - we will learn to identify factors of influence on the crowd and learn lessons to develop new knowledge about how managers can adjust to the characteristics of the spaces that are used.

Students will also envisage how recent concerns about terror risks in the context of an event question crowd management approaches and practices by increasing control measures rather than using the space appropriately. By analyzing elements created around environmental considerations and space, students will highlight the limits of some current approaches including the strengthening of perimeters and using alternative space which may be more dangerous than the ones already used. To create a fresh approach to securing crowded spaces we need to provide high levels of monitoring and create an efficient use of flow management. Importantly the tutor with support from the students will develop the knowledge about how crowd movement through ingress, circulation and egress can be maintained whilst protective security overlays are deployed. This will incorporate current guidance on a zonal approach to crowd management including ‘Zone Ex’ and grey space.

The tutors will bring this module to life by drawing on significant UK / international experience in the management & command of events and incidents. They will identify how crowd management and public safety plans are supported by physical and personnel security features. Case studies and immersive exercises supported by dissertations, research and reflections will enable the students to consolidate their learning. They will be guided through the life cycle of an event from conceptualisation, planning to quality delivery and review.

Further information

Over the past century the crowded space environment has changed considerably, however, the way in which we identify, create and manage space has not changed at the same pace. Over the past few decades we have been able to identify the issues and challenges with the spaces utilised for events but have not acted upon our knowledge and experiential learning, as we continue to make similar mistakes and thus provide the same environment in which accidents and incidents can occur. The content of this module will critically analyse the way in which we continue to research the key signifiers and distal factors which come together to create disasters and crowded space challenges and examine the tools to mitigate such issues.

Initially you will explore the theories of change and its management and how those charged with the design of facilities constantly update their plans to provide the most comprehensive physical entities to support challenges in the crowded space. The next stage of the module focuses on the psychosocial aspects of crowded space management including the need to professionalise staff on the very basic operational levels of the industry. The final stage of the module focuses on the industry itself and the difficulty that many areas have in creating robust risk systems and processes upon which a command and control structure could be based, a resilient human and physical resource plan may be created and the mitigation of risk can be maximised.

You will cover a comprehensive range of academic and theoretical texts linked to consumer trends, the identification of genre based issues and focus on solutions to how we ensure that risk is mitigated to the full by the use of human and physical resources. You will identify and reflect on case study reviews, current and emerging effective practice and explore the threats to safety, security and service at events. In a workshop situation you will practice planning the delivery and implementation of cogent practices and then apply these to scenarios creating outcomes which can be applied in the workplace.

Further information