Planning Courses

Planning is a broad function of the public and private sectors directed at guiding urban and regional development, analyzing physical, social, economic, and environmental issues, and preparing policy alternatives. Many planners work in the public sector, evaluating problems and suggesting solutions in the domains of transportation, housing, economic and community development, urban design, neighborhood revitalization, environmental issues, and policy analysis. Others work in the private and nonprofit sectors, serving as consultants, researchers, real estate developers, community development promoters, and specialists in local economic development. The department administers an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor program in urban studies and planning, and offers undergraduate courses in planning. These courses provide students with insights on urban and regional development from a broad, liberal arts viewpoint, as well as providing background and tools for further study and the professional practice of planning.

A Pln 220 Introductory Urban Planning (3)

Introduces the basic concepts and techniques of urban planning and provides an overview of planning history. Covers land use, transportation, environment, urban design, economic development and social issues. Explores the connections between planning and politics, economic restructuring, social change, and competing ideologies of urban form. [SS]

A Pln 315Z State and Regional Planning (3)

Reviews the theory and practice of state and regional planning in the United States, evaluating a range of contemporary examples. Covers metropolitan regional planning, river basin planning, regional water resource management, state planning and growth management, and environmental impact assessment. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220.

A Pln 320 International Urban Planning (3)

Provides a general introduction to urban planning as it is practiced in various countries around the world.. For each of the countries covered there will be a discussion of the changing context of urbanization and economic development within which contemporary urban planning has emerged. A Pln 320Z is the writing intensive version of A Pln 320; only one of the two courses may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): Either A Gog 220 or A Pln 220 or permission of instructor. [GC OD]

A Pln 320Z International Urban Planning (3)

A Pln 320Z is the writing intensive version of A Pln 320; only of the two courses may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing, or permission of instructor. [GC OD WI]

A Pln 328 (= A Gog 328 and A Wss 328) Gender, Space and Place (3)

Power relations and categories of social difference are reflected by dramatic inequalities in local environments, and in the quantity and quality of available space. This course examines, through the lenses of feminist geography and planning, how space is invested with social meaning. It discusses how the built environment affects and reflects relations of gender, sexuality and ethnicity, and considers how these social classifications produce 'geographies of difference.' Gender is also related to nationalism, colonialism, 'geographic skills,'and feminist research methodologies. Prerequisite(s): A Gog 125 or A Pln 220 or permission of instructor. Will not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Pln 330 (=A Gog 330) Principles of Environmental Management (3)

Examines issues and problems arising from the interactions between humans and their physical environment. Explores the degradation of environmental systems resulting from human use and modification, as well as the impact of environmental processes on human systems. The policy options for dealing with environmental issues and problems are investigated. Prerequisite(s): A Gog 101 and either A Gog 201 or A Pln 220; or permission of instructor. May not be offered in 2005-2006. [OD]

A Pln 420 Introduction to Real Estate Development (3)

A general introduction to real estate development as an important element in the urban economy and as a field of urban planning activity. Covers legal, economic, and financial perspectives. Emphasis is placed on market analysis and mortgage finance for residential real estate. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220, or permission of instructor.

A Pln 425 Community Development and Neighborhood Planning (3)

Examines housing needs of households in urban areas. Assesses the relationship between housing and other major challenges to urban households (e.g. poverty, unemployment, infant mortality and neighborhood decline). Considers both traditional and more innovative strategies that seek to address housing needs. Prerequisite(s): A Gog 125 or A Pln 220.

A Pln 426 Community Development and Neighborhood Planning Workshop (1-4)

Provides students an opportunity to obtain 'real world' experience assisting a local community or neighborhood group. Students work under supervision on both team and individual projects that address specific needs of communities (e.g. housing, education, public safety, transportation, health) in the Capital District. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 425. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Pln 430/Z (= A Gog 430/Z) Environmental Planning (3)

Environmental planning is much more than preservation of pristine land. Through the examination of environmental movements, energy policy, the land use-transportation nexus, environmental justice, and environmental policy formation, at the end of this course, students will be able to: (1) identify how normative bias influences planning and policy choices; (2) describe major conflicts in environmental planning and policy; and (3) understand the relationship of scale and environmental planning/policy options. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 or permission of instructor.

A Pln 432 Parks, Preservation, and Heritage Planning (3)

Explains the rise of heritage planning as a unifying theme to link environmental, land-use, and community planning. Integrates parks, greenways, historic preservation, and cultural resources as means to develop and preserve the distinctive character of local communities, to foster local pride, and to promote tourism. Discusses the origins, organization and management of heritage programs, and the special problems of heritage planning for minority groups and bygone cultures. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220, or permission of instructor.

A Pln 436 Landscape Planning (3)

Explores the theory and practice of large-scale landscape planning and examines issues of human use, exploitation, and protection of the landscape. Draws from the practice of landscape architecture and community planning and outlines the principles of environmentally-based land-use planning. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing, and A Pln 220 and A Gog 101, or equivalent courses. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Pln 437 Landscape Planning Workshop (3-4)

Creation of a landscape plan for a local or regional agency or nonprofit. Plan will balance protection of the natural and cultural environment with the need for human uses of the landscape including community growth and development. Draws from the practice of landscape architecture and community planning, and includes field research, community consultation, report writing and mapping. Students serve as team members in the preparation of the plan. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing, A Pln 220 and Gog 101 or equivalents, and GIS (A Gog 496/A Pln 456 or proficient ArcView or MapInfo user skills). May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Pln 443 Transportation History and Policy (3)

Examines the history of transportation systems and policy in the United States. Emphasis on understanding the political and social forces that influence decision-making at the federal, state, and local levels. The roles of corporate investment, and of citizen interests and participation are examined. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 or permission of the instructor.

A Pln 449 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Planning (3)

Covers planning, design, implementation and management of systems of non-motorized transportation, particularly the 'human-powered' modes of bicycling and walking. Involves students in the design of bikeways, walkways, intersections and parking facilities, and in the evaluation of alternative transportation technologies. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 or permission of instructor.

A Pln 451 Introductory Computer Aided Design (1)

Provides an introduction to Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), enabling students to understand the basic principles of CADD and to use CADD software.

A Pln 452 (formerly A Pln 450) CADD in Planning (3)

Applies the concepts and theories underlying Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) to site planning, urban design and land-use mapping, including 2D concept diagrams, site plan detail and 3D perspectives. Also reviews rendering, 4D applications, visualization, and CADD management.

A Pln 455 (A Gog 495) Introductory MapInfo (1)

Provides students who have, or are developing, a knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) fundamentals, and who have, or are developing, a knowledge of ArcView software, with a comparable knowledge of MapInfo software. Enables students to use and apply MapInfo to the solution of a wide range of data management, cartographic and public policy programs.

A Pln 456 (= A Gog 496) Geographic Information Systems (3)

Introduction to the structure, design, and application of data base management systems designed to accept large volumes of spatial data derived from various sources. The student will learn how to efficiently store, retrieve, manipulate, analyze, and display these data according to a variety of user-defined specifications. Prerequisite(s): familiarity with maps and coordinate systems.

A Pln 474 Site Planning (2)

Introduction to the theory, rationale and practice of site planning. Traces the design process from program to construction detailing and specification. The review and regulatory context are considered. Ramifications of design choices are explored including effects on ambiance, perception of space and form, human comfort, function of materials, and effects on costs. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 or permission of instructor. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Pln 475 Urban Design (3)

Introduction to the theory, rationale and practice of urban design. Covers design and layout criteria, regulation and review, and case studies of the urban design process. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 or permission of instructor.

A Pln 476 Urban Design and Site Planning Workshop (1-4)

Involves students in supervised team projects doing practical urban design and/or site planning work. Through investigation, fieldwork and discussion, student groups prepare proposals for the design and layout of a specific site or axis. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220.

A Pln 485 Topics in Planning (1-4)

Selected topics in specific sub-fields of planning. Topics will be indicated in the course schedule and in departmental announcements. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 and junior or senior class standing.

A Pln 490 Planning Internship (3, 3)

Provides students with practical work experience in the general field of urban and regional planning. Internship placements are typically with federal, state, or local government agencies, consultancy firms, community development corporations, or private, voluntary or political action groups specializing in a specific sub-field relating to planning. Supervisor's reference and final report required. Internships are open only to qualified juniors and seniors who have an overall grade point average of 2.50 or higher. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 and permission of instructor. S/U graded.

A Pln 497 Independent Study in Planning (2-4)

Provides an opportunity for students with a strong interest in a specific topic or sub-field in urban and regional planning to do directed reading, independent study or research with faculty supervision. May be repeated once, but not for more than a total of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): A Pln 220 and junior or senior class standing.