Urban Planning Tools and Techniques Program (Pre-Pay Discount 10%)

Successful planning begins with understanding the natural, cultural and built characteristics of a site. This course explores the principles and methods of environmental planning and site analysis, providing the foundation for making informed land use and development decisions.

You'll examine the physical, environmental and human-made factors that influence planning and site design, including regional landscape analysis, watershed analysis and site suitability assessments. Through practical examples, you'll learn how to evaluate site opportunities and constraints, conduct feasibility studies and develop conceptual designs that respond to environmental conditions while supporting planning objectives.

By the end of the course, you'll be able to analyze site conditions, interpret environmental data and apply site analysis techniques to support sustainable planning and design decisions.

Learning Outcomes

• Conduct site opportunity and constraint analyses to support land use planning decisions
• Assess the natural, cultural and built characteristics of a site and their relationships
• Evaluate mapped data for planning applications
• Analyze environmental, cultural and economic data to inform planning and design decisions
• Apply graphic methods to compile, communicate and present site analysis information
• Explain how environmental and site analysis informs planning, urban design and development decisions

Skills You Will Gain

• Site analysis
• Site suitability analysis
• Land use analysis
• Environmental data interpretation
• Map interpretation
• Feasibility assessment
• Conceptual site planning
• Graphic communication

Approximately 20 hours of project work and regular attendance are required.

Course Format and Pacing
This online course includes six (6) weekly live, instructor-led Zoom sessions. Students will access the program through Canvas, UC Davis CPE’s learning management system. Students can expect to spend a total of approximately 20 hours on this course. Active engagement and participation are essential to fully benefit from the course and achieve the best learning outcomes.

Develop practical urban planning and urban design skills through a hands-on studio and lecture experience that mirrors professional planning practice. Explore planning and design principles while examining real-world examples and case studies that address the opportunities and challenges facing today's growing communities.

You’ll critique land use plans and site designs based on General Plan policies, zoning and design guidelines. The course emphasizes urban infill and sustainable community design and the challenges and complexities of planning and urban design utilizing community engagement.

By the end of the course, you'll have practical experience analyzing planning and design proposals and developing professional-quality planning documents and design solutions.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply urban planning and urban design principles to real-world planning projects
• Analyze and critique land use plans and site designs
• Prepare conceptual site plans and planning staff reports
• Evaluate planning and design solutions that support urban infill and sustainable community development
• Apply planning concepts during collaborative studio exercises and design charrettes
• Communicate planning and design recommendations using professional planning practices

Skills You Will Gain

• Urban planning and design
• Site planning
• Land use analysis
• Planning staff report writing
• Urban infill planning
• Sustainable community design
• Design critique and evaluation
• Collaborative design charrette participation
• Professional planning communication

There will be a minimum of 24 hours of planning and design work conducted outside of class.

Course Format and Pacing
This seven-week online course includes six (6) weekly live, instructor-led Zoom sessions. Students will access the program through Canvas, UC Davis CPE’s learning management system. Students can expect to spend a total of approximately 24 hours on this course. Active engagement and participation are essential to fully benefit from the course and achieve the best learning outcomes.