Note: This is a syllabus modified for the winter session.

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE ANDMANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND PUBLIC PLANNING

PL 201 - INTRODUCTION TO PLANNING AND LAND USE PRINCIPLES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Professor: Dr. D. Hawley
Office: SWFSC Room 204
E-Mail: Use Email (Mail) in the Communication Tool.
Web Hours: TBA

MEETING TIMES

Web-based course

COURSE DESCRIPTION - No Prerequisites

Thematic Focus: Valuing the Diversity of Human Experience

This course will introduce students to the many forces that are shaping the way both urban and rural land is used in the United States. This dynamic process is directed by the field of public planning. Planning is a ubiquitous activity engaged in by many people at all levels of society from the Pentagon to the college student in her/his pursuit of a college degree. Planning is a conscious effort to define systematically and think critically through a problem or course of action to improve the quality of decision-making. The focus of this course is predominately on public planning at the substate level, that which is done by and for cities, counties, towns, and other units of local government. Specific fields of planning such as urban design, transportation planning, urban growth management, and environmental planning will also be examined at higher units of government (state and federal) as appropriate.

Because the field of planning is one that is very applied in practice, one goal of the course is to expose students to the various fields of planning and to learn, the various opportunities and problems faced by those employed in this stimulating and ever-changing discipline. Practicing planners must be able to respond to the many and varied needs of citizens who look to planners to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all members of the community. Planners are also an integral part of the land development process and as such are responsible for shaping the physical environment of the community. The most important expenditure of money a person will make in his/her lifetime will be the purchase of a home. The actions of local government in the land development process can either enhance or detract from the value of that home by the approval of other land uses (such as a shopping mall, factory, or public park) nearby.

Today, citizens are valued contributors to the community's land use planning process. Therefore, it is important to possess knowledge about the land development process and the role played by public planners if citizens are to make valuable contributions to the development of their communities to meet the needs of a diverse community membership.

The DISTRIBUTION BLOCK is SOCIAL AND POLITICAL WORLDS. This course examines one of the most important interfaces of the individual's social and political world, the local community, and how the actions of local government, through the land use planning process, enhance the social, economic, and cultural systems of communities.

The ESSENTIAL SKILLS that this course employs include CRITICAL THINKING,CRITICAL READING, and EFFECTIVE WRITING. These skills are achieved through the Course Objectives and Assessment methods below.

COURSE OBJECTIVE/LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Define the concept and purpose of "land use planning".
2. Relate the history of public sector land use planning in the United States.
3. Define and describe the major techniques of public sector land use planning and the guiding documents of public planning.
4. Describe the functions performed by professional land use planners.
5. Define and describe the various public and private "stakeholders" in the land development process and their roles in helping to create and sustain a dynamic and diversified community.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is taught in a variety of ways. Theories and techniques of land use planning will be explained primarily through lectures/discussion on the web as well as the assigned readings. There will be three discussions held on the web, and all students will be required to participate. As the course progresses, students will become involved in a comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance project that helps translate theory into practice.

REQUIRED TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS USED IN THE COURSE

Cullingworth, Barry. 1997. Planning in the USA. NY:Routeledge.

Occasionally topic items will be placed on electronic reserves at Cline Library or online websites will be assigned.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

4 quizzes @ 40 pts each	160	|	response 1	10	|	90% - 100%	= A
land-based project	60	|	response 2	10	|	80% - 89%	= B
discussion 1	20	|	response 3	10	|	70% - 79%	= C
discussion 2	30	|	introduction	5	|	60%- 69%	= D
discussion 3	30	|			|	Below 60%	= F
		|	Total points	335	|

ASSESSMENT OF OUTCOMES

There are three instruments used to assess the student's achievement of thecourse/learning objectives listed above:

• Quizzes
• Quizzes will cover assigned reading from the text, professor's notes, and material presented on the web. Quizzes will contain objective questions.
• Class Participation and Discussion
• The planning profession is characterized by responsible, professional behavior. It is part of your responsibility as budding professionals in any field to participate in the web class discussions and in the exchange of ideas. You will be required to express your informed opinion and respond to others'.
• Class Project
• The class project will involve assessing comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances and their impact on the landscape. The professor will provide web sites where these documents are available from which the student will select a town or city he/she is interested in learning more about. A 2-page single-spaced write up is expected. Guidelines will be given to the students at the time of assignment.

LEARNING PORTFOLIO

The project undertaken in this class is designed to be incorporated into your LEARNING PORTFOLIO. For this reason, you need to be thorough, neat, and professional in the project and discussions.

CLASS POLICIES

Late Projects and Other Non-Performance Issues

Projects turned in late or your not participating in class activities, for whatever reason, will be penalized at my discretion. Lack of participation in class, in the form of not answering questions or discussing ideas, or not turning in requested materials will work to adversely affect your grade in this class.

Evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of "F" for the entire course.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

http://www.phy.nau.edu/COURSES/POLICY/policyNau.html

The university's self-insurance does not cover students. Be cognizant of opportunities to insure yourself.

COURSE OUTLINE

Note: web addresses and electronic reserve reminders will be placed in the corresponding lecture.

Instructor reserves the right to adjust.

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC	READINGS
Module 1: Planning and Government
1	12-15	The Nature of Planning Assignment: Introduce Yourself!	p3, Chapter 1
	12-16,17	Urbanization	Chapter 2
	12-18	Governing and Planning Urban Areas Assignment: Discussion 1	Chapter 3
2	12-19 12-22	Quiz 1 (Chapters 1-3) Assignment: Response 1 Module 2: Land Use Regulation Zoning and Legal Bases	p55, Chapters 4,5
	12-23,24	Zoning Codes and Comprehensive Plans	Chapter 6, e-reserves:Levy article
	12-25 12-26	Assignment: Town Character and Plan Analysis Project Quiz 2 (Chapters 4-6, Zoning Codes and Comprehensive Plans)	Project work day, see web sites
Module 3: Quality of Environment and Growth Management
3	12-29	Aesthetics and Historic Preservation	p101, Chapter 8
	12-30	Growth Management Assignment: Discussion 2	Chapter 10
	12-31 1-1	Growth Management and Paying Assignment: Response 2	Chapter 7 Project work day
4	1-2 1-5	Quiz 3 (Chapters 7,8,10) Module 4: Development Issues and Hot Topics Environmental Planning	Project work p153, Chapter 15
	1-6 1-7	Project paper due Housing Assignment: Discussion 3	Chapter 13
	1-8	Transportation Assignment: Response 3	Chapter 12
	1-9	Wrap-up on Current Topics Quiz 4 (Chapters 12,13,15 - does not include Current Topics)

Websites are included in the professor's written notes for chapters. Make sure you look at these sites. The Zoning and Comprehensive Plan lecture sites are extremely important. Make sure you visit them.