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

Examine the major components of physical planning and site design as they relate to achieving planning objectives. Review regional landscape analysis, physical and man-made factor analysis and watershed and program analysis. Special focus is given to analyzing site suitability and sensitivity for development, site selection and feasibility studies and conceptual design that responds to site conditions.

In this course, you will:

• Develop an understanding of how to conduct site opportunity and constraint analysis that contribute to good land use decisions.
• Understand the basic natural and cultural components of a site and region and how these components are interrelated.
• Achieve basic skills necessary to evaluate and compare the value of mapped data.
• Acquire critical thinking skills to be able to use complex data, synthesize information and select that which is most significant for decision making.
• Learn graphic methods of compiling, recording and displaying information on environmental, cultural and economic factors. 
• Understand the value and importance that analysis of the natural and the manmade environment have in planning, design and environmental decision-making.

Receive hands-on practice in professional urban planning and design skills in a studio/lecture format. Immerse yourself in planning and design principles, examples and case studies for today's communities. Critique land use plans and site designs, create and prepare site plans, and analyze and develop planning staff reports. Emphasis is placed on urban infill and sustainable community design, and the challenges and complexities of planning and urban design in growing communities. In-class studio work and critique, as well as guest lectures, a hands-on downtown design modeling charrette and field visits are also included. There will be a minimum of 24 hours of planning and design work conducted outside of class.