Fundamentals of Planning

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to planning and a critical analysis of past and present planning concepts in terms of social, economic, political, and urban design aspects. It analyzes the development of urban form in different eras, and assesses its success and failure to meet the needs of diverse users. It examines the history and forces behind the development of the planning profession in the United States. This course also aims to introduce students to the theories of city and regional planning. Specifically, it examines the need for theory in planning and overviews the evolution of planning paradigms from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. The following issues are investigated: why plan; how to planners plan; how can planning be achieved in a pluralistic society; what are the values and ethics of planners? A major aim of this course is for students to appreciate the link between planning history, theory and praxis.