Environmental Planning and Site Analysis

Online

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.

Academic Units
4
Section Number
272LEP101
Instruction Method
Online class

Association Credits

American Planning Assoc (AICP)
40.00 AICP hours
CA Dept of Public Health (REHS)
40.00 REHS hours

Section Notes

Access to your course in Canvas will be available 7 days before the course start date. Please note that course start and end dates, as well as live sessions (if applicable), are subject to change.

Enrollment Policies

Drop requests (withdraw with a refund) will be approved, less a $50 processing fee, if the request is received before the refund deadline. View complete enrollment policy information, including details on withdrawals and transfers.  
 
Refund Deadline: 9/20/2027. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date.   
 
Students enrolling after the first day of class are expected to reach out to their instructor to make sure they receive all content and are on track with the course. 

Technical Requirements

To ensure your success in this course, please review our technical requirements page. https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/areas-study/online-programs/technical-requirements

Discounts

CAAA Member Discount

Current members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) and other UC alumni associations receive 10% off the course fee of one course per quarter, not to exceed $100. If you don't have your discount code, contact CAAA at [email protected] to request it.