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.