The objective of this course is to help you understand how planning affects your profession and life. We will explore how cities are designed. We will address the reasons why some cities are sustained and others decline. The class will also present who plans, sets policies, and manages our cities. This class will describe how planning influences the design and development of human settlements. We will explore planning theory, research and practice and try to understand how planners, working with and for government, developers, and citizens, control and influence development.
- Identify and describe historical antecedents to city planning;
- Describe different methods and tools used to engage the public;
- Explain connections between land use, transportation, environment, economic and social systems;
- Identify and explain perspectives on planning policies; and
- Defend planning policies based on your own understanding of their ethical implications, methods of public participation, sustainability implications, and substantive benefits to the community.
- City and Regional Planning by Richard Le Gates
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
- Attendance & Participation (10%)
- 2xReading Presentations (Individual) (20%)
- Midterm Exam (10%)
- Final Exam (10%)
- Individual project (10%)
Group Projects
- Attend an NPU meeting (20%)
- Comprehensive Plan Presentation (20%)
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
Missed or Late Work:
- Within 24 hours of the original due date: 10% deduction off the final grade
- Between 24-48 hours of the original due date: 20% deduction off the final grade
- Between 24-72 hours of the original due date: 30% deduction off the final grade
- After 72 hours - Zero grade
Attendance and participation are very important as they contribute to the overall learning and enjoyment of the class. Class Attendance includes a physical presence during class and participation. Students are allowed to miss up to three (3) classes but will fail if four (4) or more classes are missed.
A pre-requisite to participating is showing up. Attendance is taken. Institute-excused absences should be communicated ahead of time of the class via email to the instructor. Commentary and questions that contribute to the in-class discussions and demonstrate thoughtful consideration of assigned readings will make up the second portion of your participation grade.
Final Participation Points = Attendance + Participation
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Use of GenAI
If you choose to use Generative Artificial Intelligence software (for example ChatGPT, Bard, Microsoft Copilot, etc.) in completing ANY assignments for this class, you must include a proper reference in your work. If you choose to use precise language generated by the software, you must quote it. The reference must include the website and specific prompts used to generate the referenced output. For an example of how to reference, you may want to consult APALinks to an external site.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social or geographic relationships develop, persist or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion