This course introduces the legal framework and major legal issues arising in land use and environmental planning. We focus on notable US Supreme Court decisions related to tools such as zoning, the comprehensive plan, and eminent domain, as well as controversies and cases surrounding federal environmental laws such as NEPA, the Clean Water and Air Acts, and the Endangered Species Act. No previous legal knowledge or coursework necessary.

Studies the principles of design; the architecture of cities and urban design; perception of space and visual analysis; graphic presentation, including mapping techniques; and inventories, information storage, retrieval and use. Prerequisite PLAN 2110

Urban analytics draws upon statistics, visualization, and computation to better understand and ultimately to shape cities. This course emphasizes geospatial data, familiarizes students with statistical computing using R, and introduces principles and techniques of machine learning. Students will also learn to explain and to critique the results of visualization, analysis, and predictive modeling. Graduate course will have additional requirements.

Examines the role of planning in government decision-making. Focuses on local government, but intergovernmental aspects of planning that influence local decisions are also stressed. Studies planning processes, such as transportation, community development, and social planning.

Urban analytics draws upon statistics, visualization, and computation to better understand and ultimately to shape cities. This course emphasizes geospatial data, familiarizes students with statistical computing using R, and introduces principles and techniques of machine learning. Students will also learn to explain and to critique the results of visualization, analysis, and predictive modeling.

This course introduces design & systems thinking techniques to address the interrelated crises of climate change & social inequity in U.S. cities. It asks how such transformational change might work - examining the socio-technical context,challenges, & opportunities that animate systems change in the built world. Students will learn through readings,discussions,lectures, & workshops to develop interdisciplinary creative problem-solving skills

Global Environmental Issues contextualizes environmental pressures through case studies on topics such as land use practices and soil health, overconsumption and labor conditions, deforestation and disease emergence, as well as resource extraction and disaster resilience. This course addresses the roots of global environmental issues while cultivating critical thinking about what is required for more just and sustainable futures.

Detailed exploration of the normative debate surrounding environmental issues. Focus on the foundations of environmental economics, questions about the value of endangered species, concerns of future generations, appropriateness of a sustainable society, notions of stewardship, and obligations toward equity. Graduate course will have additional course requirements

Structured internship experience and reporting as a reflective practitioner for ten weeks or 200 hours of experience.

This course provides a framework for the completion of a Distinguished Major Thesis, a treatise containing an exposition of a chosen urban and environmental planning topic. A faculty advisor guides a student through the beginning phases of the process of research and writing. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Distinguished Major Program.