EMP 430
:
Urban Planning and the Built Environment
A full and deep understanding of our complex relationships with the natural environment also requires
sophisticated and advanced knowledge of the different and specific ways in which our human settlements evolved
over the course of history. This course provides a critical introduction to the interdisciplinary world of urban
planning. Most of the cities, towns or neighborhoods we encounter did not simply “happen” – they were formally
founded and planned by someone. Many of the world’s most famous cities were carefully laid out in relationship to
their natural surroundings. And even haphazardly placed self-built homes still require access to public
infrastructures and social institutions such water, sewer and power lines, roads, schools or hospitals. We will
start of learning about the history and theory of planning as it was and is practiced in the United States but we
will then soon expand our perspective to look at urban planning and built environment issues through a global
lens. Which cities were or are global leaders in the world of city building and urban design? What are the most
important issues and topics for planning practitioners right now? What do planners do when they “plan”? How do we
justify planning? How do we define the public interest the profession purports to serve? What are the key
conflicts and ethical dilemmas? How does the global threat of climate change and sea level rise change the way we
plan and manage cities?
Prerequisites
Instructor Consent Required.
