California Polytechnic State University
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
City and Regional Planning Department

Course Description

This course provides a broad overview of the field of urban planning including the fundamental theories and the regulatory and procedural tools employed by planning professionals in the United States and California.  It explores the historical roots and evolution of the planning profession, its conceptual and technical dimensions, and the role of planning in the contemporary society.  The main focus of the course is on developing an understanding of the complex issues associated with urbanization and exploring the ways in which planning principles and working tools can be applied to address these issues.  The course is structured to help students recognize planning-related issued and familiarize them with approaches used in responding to such issues.  In large part, the course is an exercise in critical thinking.

The course takes an interdisciplinary approach in addressing the various dimensions of planning in order to reflect the divergent interests of the citizens, developers, environmental design professionals and practitioners in other disciplines who are involved in addressing the issues and concerns of our communities.

The students in this class represent a diversity of future professionals such as planners, architects, landscape architects, construction managers, engineers, natural resource managers and others.  Each of these professions plays an important role in the development and design of cities and regions.  At the conclusion of the course, students will have a good understanding of the concept and practice of planning and how it affects their future profession.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to accomplish an understanding of the following:

• The scope, focus and role of urban planning in the contemporary society.
• Impacts of urbanization on the life and structure of cities and how planning addresses these impacts.
• The evolution of planning as a profession
• Why is planning present in our daily lives and how different professions, individuals and organizations impact planning decisions.
• The fields of planning—city planning and urban design, environmental planning, regional planning, transportation planning, housing and community facilities planning.
• The possibilities and limitations of the influence of planning practice on both the physical and social aspects of human settlements.
• The planning vocabulary and application of planning principles to the practice of planning in California.
  Basic understanding of the governmental regulatory system.

Course Requirements

The class size and the complexity of the material that needs to be covered during a ten week period necessitate a traditional lecture format with opportunities for discussions on topics of particular interest.  To the extend possible, lectures will be supplemented by class participation, films, and visiting speakers.

Reading materials will parallel the weekly topics as much as possible, focusing on both general planning issues and the current issues facing California and San Luis Obispo County.  The readings will be used as a point of departure for the lectures, therefore, all readings should be completed prior to the class for which they are assigned in order to better understand the lectures and participate in class discussion.  In addition, regular attendance is expected and students are responsible for getting notes and /or handouts from classed they miss.

The course requirements include two exams, two assignments, class presentation, and regular attendance and participation in class discussion.  One of the assignments requires an attendance of a public meeting dealing with planning related issues.  The meeting you chose to attend can be a Planning Commission meeting (city or county), an Architectural Review Commission meeting, or a  City Council/ Board of Supervisors meeting, either locally or at your home-town.

Exams will include short answers and essay questions.

Class presentation will entail a brief discussion about any current planning issue.  You will be expected to scan the newspaper(s) or web sites for a planning related article addressing an issue of interest to you.  We will start each class by having two-three class members present an issue covered in the article of your choice, along with your own view of the issue.  By the end of the quarter each student should have made one class presentation.  The presentations should be approximately five-seven minutes long.  At the time of presentation please submit a copy of the article with a brief summary of major issues and your reaction to them.

The course grade will be based upon the following breakdown:

Note:            Assignments must include all stated requirements, be clearly written and should be submitted on time.  Assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be reduced by 10% for each 24 hours after due date.  Extensions for deadlines will only be granted for extenuating circumstances.  Include cover sheets with all pertinent information: Assignment # and name; your name; date; class information.

Readings

• Fulton, William, 1999, Guide to California Planning, 2^nd Edition, Point Arena, Solano Press Books.
• Supplemental Readings, a collection of readings supplementing the required text (refer to the reading schedule) is available in Second Edition.
• Readings on Library Reserve (refer to the reading schedule).

GENERAL READING REFERENCES

Baer, William, “General Plan Evaluation Criteria: An Approach to Making Better Plans,” Journal of American Planning Association, 1997, 63 (3): 329-344.

Beckley, Robert, "Urban Design," in Introduction to Urban Planning, Catanese and Snyder, eds.  McGraw Hill, Inc., New York, 1979.

Blasesser, Paul, and Weinstein, Alan, Land Use and Constitution: Principles for Planning Practice, American Planning Association, Chicago, 1989.

Calthorpe, Peter, Corbett, Michael, Duany Andres, Moule, Elizabeth, Polyzoides, Stefanos, Plater-Zyberk, Elizabeth, “The Ahwahnee Principles”, Western City, September 1994.

Davidoff, Paul, "Advocacy and Pluralism in Planning," in Classic Readings in Urban Planning, Stein, Jay, ed., McGraw Hill, 1995.

Fulton ,William, The New Urbanism: Hope of Hype for American Communities, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Cambridge Massachusetts, 1997.

Fulton, William, The Reluctant Metropolis, Solano Press Books, Point Arena, California, 1997.

Klein, William, “Citizen Participation: Whose Vision is it?” in Planning and Community Equity: A Component of APA’s Agenda for American Communities Program, Planner’s Press, American Planning Association, Chicago, 1994.

Krizec, Kevin and Powel, Joe, A Planner’s Guide to Sustainable Development, Planning Advisory Service Report # 467, American Planning Association, Chicago, 1996.