Community and Regional Planning (C R P)

Riad G. Mahayni, Chair of Department
Professors: Mahayni, Shinn
Associate Professors: Borich, Huntington, Mattson
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Knox, Malone
Assistant Professors: Hamin, Suen
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Andrle, Plazak

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curriculum in community and regional planning leading to the degree bachelor of science, see College of Design, Curricula.

Community and regional planning is a professional field of study aimed at assessing the ever-changing socioeconomic and physical environments of our communities and planning for their future. Planners evaluate and seize opportunities to understand and solve problems. Most planners work at the local level, but they are concerned with issues that affect the world: the preservation and enhancement of the quality of life in a community, the protection of the environment, the promotion of equitable economic opportunity; and the management of growth and change of all kinds.

Planning has its roots in landscape architecture, architecture, engineering, law, economics, and public administration. Most contemporary planners are trained in the physical and social sciences so they can understand the society and economy in which plans must be implemented. Planning demands technical competence as well as creativity, plus pragmatism and an ability to envision alternatives to the physical and social environments in which we live.

Graduates of the Community and Regional Planning department will be capable of performing in entry level positions in public planning agencies or with planning consulting firms. Graduates are able to integrate planning knowledge and skills in practical applications to current planning issues, and to communicate in written and oral form.

Graduates of the Community and Regional Planning Department are expected to have knowledge of the structure and functions of urban settlements, the history of planning, aspects of plan and policy making, and familiarity with one area of specialized knowledge. Graduates should have skills in problem formulation, quantitative analysis, written/oral and graphic communications, collaborative approaches to these, and in synthethesizing and applying knowledge to practice. Graduates are expected to assess the impact of values in terms of equity and social justice, economic welfare and efficiency, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage in the context of citizen involvement in decision making.

The curriculum is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, thus providing the student with an education which, when combined with experience, supports the individual’s eligibility for membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.

The department cooperates in the undergraduate minors in design studies and environmental studies.

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the master of community and regional planning degree with areas of concentration in housing and social planning, community economic development, land use and transportation, and environmental planning and design.In addition, students can design their area of concentration if it does not fit in any of the four areas, with the assistance of their major professor.

Degree requirements include completion of a 2-year, 48-credit program, including a thesis of 9 credits or a professional planning report of 4 credits. Students with a bachelor degree in community and regional planning can waive up to 9 credits.

The program of graduate study is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

The planning core consists of C R P 501, 511, 521, 523, 532, 561, 570, and 592.

All students are required to take 3 modules in C R P 523.

No foreign language is required for the degree master of community and regional planning.

Satisfactory completion of the core requirements and the acceptance of a thesis (9 credits) or a professional planning report (4 credits) are required for the M.C.R.P. degree. In addition, the student is encouraged to complete three months of acceptable work experience in a planning office between the first and second year of study.

Double degree programs are offered with architecture (M.C.R.P/M.Arch.), business (M.C.R.P./M.B.A.), public administration (M.C.R.P./M.P.A.), and landscape architecture (M.C.R.P./M.L.A.). The department participates in the interdepartmental minor in housing, and in the interdepartmental major in transportation.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 380.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

C R P 253. Survey of Community and Regional Planning
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. A historical survey of planning, the nature and problems of urban areas, and the goals, procedures, and results of urban planning.

C R P 270. Forces Shaping Our Metropolitan Environment (Same as Dsn S 270.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Must be taken prior to completing 9 credits in C R P. Introduction to the social, political, physical, and economic forces as they shape metropolitan areas and their interrelationships. A comprehensive picture of metropolitan development showing important roles other urban disciplines play in the planning process and the interrelationships of the disciplines.

C R P 272. Planning Analysis and Techniques I
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Com S 103. Existing and emerging techniques for preparation of community planning studies. Sources of planning information and data. Survey techniques including survey instruments, sampling methods, sample size for demographic studies. Land use surveys for comprehensive and transportation planning. Student’s oral and graphic presentation of analytical results.

C R P 274. Planning Analysis and Techniques II
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 272. Use of quantitative methods for analysis of population, land use, economic and transportation make-up of a community; activities and location, intensity, and timing of land uses and public services. Student’s oral and graphic presentation of analytical results.

C R P 290. World Cities and Globalization (Same as Dsn S 290.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Sophomore classification. World cities and globalization in developed and developing countries. Topics include globalization, world cities and regions, uneven economic development, the international division of labor, multinational corporations, international environmentalism, tourism, popular culture and place based identity.

C R P 293. Environmental Planning (Same as Dsn S 293, Env S 293.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Comprehensive overview of the field of environmental relationships and the efforts being made to organize, control, and coordinate environmental, aesthetic, and cultural characteristics of land, air, and water.

C R P 330. Practicum
Cr. 1 to 3, may be repeated up to a maximum of 3 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: Major in community and regional planning. Structured work experience under close supervision of a professional planner. Practical planning experience; relationships between theory and practice, professional responsibilities, and the scope of various planning roles. Practicum may be repeated. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

C R P 331. Professional Practice Seminar (Dual-listed with 531.)
Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Major in community and regional planning. Preparation for working in a planning office; discussion of expectation of employer; presentations from planning professionals, and discussion of differences/similarities between public and private planning offices. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

C R P 365. Technology and the City (Same as Dsn S 365.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Completion of one semester in a design, engineering, social science, or history major. Historical development of urban areas and their change over time. Impact of technological change on development; the role that technical and design professionals (including civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, and city planners, among others) have played.

C R P 380. Regional and State Planning
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 253 or 270. Analysis of theories, policies, and functions at the metropolitan, regional, and state levels with emphasis on area-wide governance structures and strategies for guiding development. Nonmajor graduate credit.

C R P 383. Theory of the Planning Process
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 253 or 270, junior status. The nature of planning and its relation to social and economic planning: levels of planning, place of planning in decision making; steps in the planning process, uses and limitation of knowledge in planning, relation of facts and values.

C R P 410. Professional Work Experience
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department chair. Approved professional work experience.

C R P 415. Housing (Dual-listed with 515; same as Dsn S 415.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 253 or 270. An in-depth review of the problems and issues related to housing planning and policy dealing primarily with inter-relationships and interdependencies among the socio-cultural, economic, and physical aspects of housing. Analysis of housing policy-making processes in the U.S., a comprehensive review of the housing policy and planning systems in selected developed and developing nations.

C R P 416. Urban Design and Planning Practice (Dual-listed with 516.)
(3-1) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 253 or 270. Principles of urban design and their application to residential and commercial development. Review processes and criteria for subdivision design and site planning.

C R P 417. Urban Revitalization (Dual-listed with 517; same as Dsn S 417.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 253 or 270. The nature, extent, causes, and theories of urban decline. Relationship between neighborhood change and the urban development process; public policy implications. Planning methods available to further revitalization and preservation efforts.

C R P 425. Growth Management (Dual-listed with 525; same as Dsn S 425.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Junior classification. Review of techniques used to manage growth-related change and to implement plans. Capital investment strategies; public land acquisition and protection; development impact analysis; impact mitigation, including impact fees; phased growth systems; urban/suburban/rural relationships; and land preservation.

C R P 427. Social Policy Planning (Dual-listed with 527.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 253, 270, or junior classification. An overview of the theory and methods of social policy planning with particular attention given to the spatial relationships of policy formation, allocation of scarce resources, and the delivery of public services as an integrated part of comprehensive community planning.

C R P 429. Planning in Developing Countries (Dual-listed with 529; same as Dsn S 429.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Junior classification. A variety of planning-related issues including rural-urban migration, development of national policies and programs, urban decay, rural development strategies, housing problems in a developing country.

C R P 432. Community Development Planning and Programming (Dual-listed with 532.)
(1-9) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: 272, 274, senior classification. Integration of planning methods and theory in dealing with a community planning problem. Analysis of problem and formulation of strategies for implementation. Preparation of a community planning report.

C R P 435. Planning in Small Towns (Dual-listed with 535.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 253, 270, or junior classification. Contemporary planning problems in small towns and the design of viable strategies to enhance their social and economic position in today’s society.

C R P 442. Site Analysis and Development Design (Dual-listed with 542; same as Dsn S 442.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 253, 272. Must be taken prior to completing 12 credits in LA. Introduction to site analysis using landscape architecture and environmental principles, but drawing also on basic engineering concepts. Work will evolve from analysis to land development design based on that analysis.

C R P 445. Transportation Policy Planning (Dual-listed with 545.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: C E 350 or equivalent. Comprehensive overview of key policy issues related to transportation planning and investment in the United States and abroad, policy issues explored include safety, environmental impact, sustainable communities, and economics development. Tools like policy analysis and planning are studies in conjunction with each

C R P 451. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Dual-listed with 551.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Introduction to geographic information systems, including discussions of GIS hardware, software, data structures, data acquisition, analytical techniques, and implementation procedures. Laboratory emphasizes practical applications and uses of GIS.

C R P 452. Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis (Dual-listed with 552.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: C R P 451 or equivalent. Extensive coverage of geo-relational database concept and design, GIS database creation and maintenance, geographic data manipulation and analysis. GIS output generation and geographic data presentation. Laboratory emphasis practical applications and uses of GIS.

C R P 455. Community Economic Development (Dual-listed with 555.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification. The nature and process of economic development in the context of community development. Recent changes and trends and their implications for local and regional development. Selected case studies and applications. Contemporary community economic development issues.

C R P 475. Urban Planning/Urban Management (Dual-listed with 575.)
(3-0) Cr. 1 for each module, 5 weeks each. F. Prereq: 253 or 270 and junior classification. The role planning plays as a part of the management and decision-making process; policy initiation, development, and implementation; management approaches and tools.

                A. Urban Planning and Management

                B. Citizen Participation/Conflict Management

                C. Grant Writing

C R P 484. Sustainable Communities (Dual-listed with 584; same as Dsn S 484, Env S 484.)
Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Senior status or permission of instructor. The theory and application of sustainability to the physical and social planning of communities. We will examine environmental ethics as a basis for sustainability, the history of the idea itself and the movement toward indicators as outcome measurements both in the US and internationally. We then explore how these ideas have been or might be applied in communities here and abroad.

C R P 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form. Investigation of an approved topic commensurate with student’s interest and ability. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

H. Honors

C R P 491. Environmental Law (Dual-listed with 591; same as Dsn S 491, Env S 491.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in natural sciences. Legal precedents and alternative policies for environmental protection; rights to and regulations for uses of water, air and land. Federal environmental control acts and leading federal court cases.

C R P 492. Planning Law, Administration and Implementation (Dual-listed with 592.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Junior classification and 253 or 270. The basis in constitutional, common, and statutory law for the powers of plan effectuation. Problems of balancing public and private interests as revealed in the study of leading court cases. Administration of planning agencies and programs.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, open to qualified undergraduate students

C R P 501. Quantitative Methods for Planning Data Analysis
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Applications of quantitative methods in planning with emphasis on the collection, description, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of planning data. Primary data collection using survey techniques. Secondary data types and sources of planning information for population projection and demographic analysis. Laboratory emphasized practical uses and applications of spreadsheet and statistical programs for data analysis.

C R P 510. Professional Work Experience
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department chair. Approved professional work experience.

C R P 511. Introduction to Community and Regional Planning
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Development of planning in the United States; history and evolution of the planning profession and constructs of current practice. Theoretical basis of planning.

C R P 515. Housing (Dual-listed with 415; same as Dsn S 515.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Permission of instructor and graduate classification. An in-depth review of the problems and issues related to housing planning and policy dealing primarily with interrelationships and interdependencies among the socio-cultural, economic, and physical aspects of housing. Analysis of housing policy-making processes in the U.S., a comparative review of the housing policy and planning systems in selected developed and developing nations.

C R P 516. Urban Design and Planning Practice (Dual-listed with 416.)
(3-1) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Principles of urban design and their application to residential and commercial development. Review processes and criteria for subdivision design and site planning.

C R P 517. Urban Revitalization (Dual-listed with 417, same as Dsn S 517.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: Graduate classification. The nature, extent, causes, and theories of urban decline. The relationship between neighborhood change and the urban development process and its public policy implications; the planning methods used to further revitalization and preservation efforts.

C R P 525. Growth Management. (Dual-listed with 425; same as Dsn S 525.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Review of techniques used to manage growth-related change and to implement plans. Capital investment strategies; public land acquisition and protection; development impact analysis; impact mitigation, including impact fees; phased growth systems; urban/suburban/rural relationships; and land preservation.

C R P 527. Social Policy Planning (Dual-listed with 427.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: Graduate classification. The theory and methods of social policy planning with particular attention to the spatial relationships of policy formation, allocation of scarce resources, and the delivery of public services as an integrated part of comprehensive community planning.

C R P 529. Planning in Developing Countries (Dual-listed with 429; same as Dsn S 529.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. A variety of planning and planning-related issues including rural-urban migration, development of national policies and programs, urban decay, rural development strategies, housing problems in a developing country.

C R P 530. Practicum
Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate classification in community and regional planning. Practical planning experience. Structured work in range of tasks under close supervision of a professional planner. Relationships between theory and practice, exposure to variety of roles in functioning specialties. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

C R P 531. Professional Practice Seminar (Dual-listed with 331.)
Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Major in community and regional planning. Preparation for working in a planning office; discussion of expectations of employer; presentations from planning professionals, and discussion of differences/similarities between public and private planning offices. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

C R P 532. Community Development Planning and Programming (Dual-listed with 432.)
(1-9) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: 521, 522. Integration of planning methods and theory in dealing with a community planning problem. Analysis of problem and formulation of strategies for implementation. Preparation of a community planning report.

C R P 535. Planning in Small Towns (Dual-listed with 435.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Contemporary planning problems in small towns and the design of viable strategies to enhance their social and economic position in today’s society.

C R P 542. Site Analysis and Development Design (Dual-listed with 442; same as Dsn S 542.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. Must be taken prior to completing 12 credits in LA. Introduction to site analysis using landscape architecture and environmental principles, but drawing also on basic engineering concepts. Work will evolve from analysis to land development design based on that analysis.

C R P 545. Transportation Policy Planning (Dual-listed with 445.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Comprehensive overview of key policy issues related to transportation planning and investment in the United States and abroad, policy issues explored include safety, environmental impact, sustainable communities, and economic development. Tools like policy analysis and planning are studied in conjunction with each policy issue explored. Issues of concern to state, metropolitan, and local governments.

C R P 551. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Dual-listed with 451.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Introduction to geographic information systems, including discussions of GIS hardware, software, data structures, data acquisition, analytical techniques, and implementation procedures. Laboratory emphasized practical applications and uses of GIS.

C R P 552. Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis (Dual-listed with 452.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 551 or instructor permission. Extensive coverage of geo-relational database concept and design, GIS database creation and maintenance, geographic data manipulation and analysis. GIS output generation and geographic data presentation. Laboratory emphasis practical applications and uses of GIS.

C R P 555. Community Economic Development (Dual-listed with 455.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. The nature and process of economic development in the context of community development. Recent changes and trends and their implications for local and regional development. Selected case studies and applications. Contemporary community economic development issues.

C R P 556. Economic Development in Small Communities
Cr. 1. F. Offered off campus through Continuing Education on two consecutive Fridays and Saturdays. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Community development perspectives, entrepreneurial approaches, leadership theories, total quality management, concepts and strategic planning skills.

C R P 561. Seminar in Planning Theory
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Permission of instructor and graduate classification. Current planning theories: comprehensive land use, advocacy, participatory, radical, and transactive planning models. Decision making and organization models as they affect planning practice. Value conflicts and conflict resolution.

C R P 570. Seminar in Planning Research
(1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Graduate classification in community and regional planning. Topics vary from year to year. Emphasis on thesis and professional report writing.

C R P 575. Urban Planning/Urban Management (Dual-listed with 475.)
(3-0) Cr. 1 per module, 5 weeks each. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. The role planning plays as a part of the management and decision-making process; policy initiation, development, and implementation; management approaches and tools.

                A. Urban Planning, Urban Management

                B. Citizen Participation/Conflict Management

                C. Grant Writing

C R P 580. Seminar in Regional Planning and Development
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: Graduate classification. Regional development issues and policies in advanced and developing countries. Theories and methods, distribution of economic activities and settlement patterns. Role of infrastructure in development.

C R P 584. Sustainable Communities (Dual-listed with 484; same as Dsn S 584.)
Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. The theory and application of sustainability to the physical and social planning of communities. We will examine environmental ethics as a basis for sustainability, the history of the idea itself, and the movement toward indicators as outcome measurements both in the US and internationally. We then explore how these ideas have been or might be applied in communities here and abroad.

C R P 590. Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate classification and written approval of instructor and department chair on required form.

                A. Planning Administration

                B. Local Economic Development

                C. Urban Design

                D. Housing

                E. Neighborhood Renewal

                F. Social Planning

                G. Regional Economic Development

                H. Environmental Planning

                I. Transportation Planning

                J. Policy Analysis

                K. State Planning

                L. Planning in Developing Countries

C R P 591. Environmental Law (Dual-listed with 491; same as Dsn S 591, Env S 491.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. Legal precedents and alternative policies for environmental protection; rights to and regulations for uses of water, air, and land. Federal environmental control acts and leading federal court cases.

C R P 592. Planning Law, Administration and Implementation (Dual-listed with 492.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. The basis in constitutional, common, and statutory law for the powers of plan effectuation. Problems of balancing public and private interests as revealed in the study of leading court cases. Administration of planning agencies and programs.

Courses for Graduate Students

C R P 598. Professional Planning Report
(Arr.) Cr. Var. F.S.SS. Independent student research on planning topic. The course will serve as a capstone experience for the student, demonstrating ability to integrate planning knowledge and skills in the practical application of the student’s abilities on a current planning issue. The completed report must be submitted to and approved by the POS committee as evidence of the mastery of the principles of community and regional planning.