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?