CP6122 - Land Use Planning Methods

Course Description

Land use planning has formed the historic core of the planning profession, and today more planners work in the area of land use planning than in any other planning specialization.  This course will introduce students to the basic methods of land use planning, including :

• goal development and formalization,
• planning intelligence and information systems,
• population and employment forecasting,
• land use forecasting,
• land suitability analysis,
• land use location requirements,
• land classification planning,
• land use design,
• plan implementation, and
• public presentation of land use plans.

This course is one of two required courses in the land use planning specialization.  CP 6112, Introduction to Land Use Planning, is normally taught in the fall semester and introduces students to the theoretical framework for land use planning.  CP 6122 (this course) focuses on the actual methods of land use planning.  In an ideal world students would take the introductory course, CP 6112, before the methods course, CP 6122.  However it is also possible to take the methods course before the introductory course, or take the methods course alone.

Objectives

      By the end of the course each student will be able to:

1.    create a state-of-the-community report

2.    write a policy framework plan

3.    make a land classification plan

4.    formulate an urban land use design

5.    design a development management plan

6.    evaluate a plan

7.    model trends in residential development

8.    use GIS to map existing conditions and plan elements

9.    plan and conduct a community visioning meeting

10.  conduct land suitability analysis

11.  develop a computerized land use design

12.  utilize spreadsheets to forecast and allocate future land uses

Mode

The best way to learn land use planning is to do land use planning.  This course has been constructed to give students an extensive opportunity to develop a land use plan based upon the Hypothetical City Workbook.  Students will form learning teams of three to four members.  Each team will be responsible for developing a full land use plan based upon the Hypothetical City Workbook.   Teams will prepare draft elements of their plans at times specified in the course syllabus.  These drafts will not be graded, but the instructor will provide basic guidance to help ensure that each team's work is developing in an acceptable direction.

All students are expected to attend all classes, complete the assigned readings by the dates listed in the syllabus, and be prepared to discuss them in class.

The course lectures have been designed to supplement, not replace, the class readings.  Lecture topics have been selected to add additional information and provide opportunities for class discussion.

Grading

The student's final grade will be determined by four components:  midterm exam, final exam, class participation and online postings, and the Hypothetical City plan. 

Texts

     Urban Land Use Planning by Kaiser, Chapin, and Godschalk

    Hypothetical City Workbook by Kaiser, Godschalk, Klosterman, and Esnard