Department of City and Regional Planning CP 110 –Fall 2008
University of California at Berkeley Gary Binger
CP 110: INTRODUCTION TO CITY PLANNING
CCN: 13418, 4 UNITS, M W 2-3 pm, 112 WURSTER
Instructor: Gary Binger
Office: 313C Wurster Hall
E-mail:
Office Hours: By appointment
Lectures: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.
Lecture Room: 112 Wurster
Section Leaders: Ian Carlton.
Nicole Horn.
Jennifer Hughes.
Nicola Szibbo,
Objectives
This course is designed to provide a foundation about the planning of communities. The emphasis of the course is on local land use planning. However, regional and state planning approaches and the relationship between land use trends and social, economic and environmental issues will also be examined. Contemporary priorities such as congestion management, redevelopment and revitalization of urban areas, open space preservation, and ways of addressing housing supply and affordability needs will be covered.
Organization and Approach
The first half of the course starts by dealing with the history of U.S. urbanization and planning, as well as emerging trends and issues affecting central cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas. The focus then shifts to the role of city and county planning within the scope of local government, and the legal framework governing land use regulation. Contemporary challenges, such as the provision of needed housing and transportation choices, as well as specific planning and regulatory tools and techniques will be described and discussed. Private property rights and the effect of the taxing structure on local planning decisions will also be areas of attention.
The last half of the course focuses on a variety of specific topics addressed in local planning and development review. Strategies such as open space preservation, green cities, and smart growth will be examined. Regional and state approaches for resolving critical development and conservation challenges, both existing and proposed, will be described and assessed.
The course will be conducted in a lecture format that will include visual presentations, videos and guest speakers. Weekly discussion sessions led by Graduate Student Instructors will supplement lectures, and all students are required to attend.
Grading
Grades determined as follows:
Class attendance, special assignments and participation (25%). Students are expected to attend lectures and discussion sessions, complete special assignments, prepare in advance of each session (reading or fieldwork), and participate in Friday sections.
Mid-term (25%). Addresses readings, lectures, class discussions, and assignments covered during the first half of the course.
Research Paper (25%). Written report on a topic related to subject areas covered in course lectures or required readings. Examples of subject areas from which topics can be developed are listed at the end of this syllabus.
Final Exam (25%). Covers all readings, lectures, class discussions, and assignments.
Required Reading
A course reader will supplement in-class material. It is available at Copy Central (on Bancroft, above Telegraph Avenue).
Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments
August 27
Introductions and course overview.
September 1
No class- Labor Day
September 3
Video- “Taken for a Ride”
September 8
Video- “Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City”
September 10
Urbanization and the evolution of city planning between 1880 and 1960.
The History of Planning: Part 1.
September 15
Urbanization and city planning issues and challenges between 1960 and 2008.
The History of Planning: Part 2.
September 17
Organizational framework, and responsibilities, of local governments. The police power, takings, and exactions. Key court cases. Assignment 1 due.
The Structure of Planning Decision-Making
Legal Issues
Kelo vs. New London
September 22
The local/comprehensive plan; importance, contents, effectiveness, and method of preparation.
The Planning Process
September 24
Video- “A Shared Course” (Curitiba, Brazil)
September 29
The fiscalization of land use. Zoning, including bonus zoning. Transfer of development rights
The Planning Framework
Transfer of Development Rights Programs
October 1
The fair share housing process. Video: “Hometown Blues.”
Housing Programs and Strategies
Inclusionary Housing Policy Background Paper
October 6
Local assessment districts and California redevelopment objectives, rules and procedures. Video: PBS Newshour on the Kelo decision.
Frequently asked Questions about Redevelopment
October 8
Linking land use and transportation. Congestion pricing effort in London.
Making Better Communities by Linking Land Use and Transportation
London Congestion Pricing: Implications for Other Cities
October 13
Regional transportation planning obstacles and opportunities. Guest speaker, Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Midterm review.
October 15
Midterm exam
October 20
Local strategies for preserving open space. The California Environmental Quality Act.
Farmland and Open Space Preservation Tools
October 22
Open space advocacy efforts. Guest speaker, Greenbelt Alliance. Assignment 2 due.
October 27
Citizen involvement and participation; importance, effective techniques, challenges.
Public Participation in Land Use Planning
25 Ways that Local Planners Can Communicate Effectively with the Public
October 29
Disaster management planning. Video: “The Water’s Edge” Research paper outline due.
November 3
Community urban design issues. Video: “Becoming Good Neighbors: Enriching America’s Communities by Design.”
November 5
Local actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Guest speaker.
California Climate Action Network: Best Practices Framework
November 10
Video: “Back from the Brink”
November 12
State and regional planning. Oregon, Twin-Cities, Maryland and Bay Vision 2020.
Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals & Guidelines
Summary of Twin Cities Fiscal Disparities Program
Maryland’s Smart Growth Program
November 17
City and county strategies for promoting smart growth.
Smart Growth in the San Francisco Bay Area: Effective Local Approaches
November 19
State actions that could encourage smart growth practices in California
Putting the Pieces Together: State Actions to Encourage Smart Growth Practices in California.
November 24
The development community’s perspective on city planning policies and regulations. Guest speaker. Assignment 3 due.
November 26
No class
December 1
Social equity issues and advocacy planning. Guest speaker. Research paper due.
December 3
New towns in town. Video: “One Way Out of the Jam.”
Canary Wharf
La Defense
December 8
The challenges of being a city planner. Guest panel of practicing planners. Research paper due.
December 10
Trends impacting the future of planning. Course review
December 18
Final Exam
Special Assignments
Three special assignments are required. Each assignment should result in a 3-4 page typewritten paper. Grading will be based on a combination of factors including content (quality and depth of evaluation), organization, writing style, and grammar.
Assignment 1
Identifying key community success factors
Due: September 17
Begin by defining and presenting your concept of an ideal “community” (either real or imagined) in one page or less. Then:
· Identify three features that you believe are most crucial in creating or preserving a successful community.
· Describe what you believe is needed to maintain or enhance these features.
Assignment 2
Planning Commission Meeting
Due: October 22
Attend a city or county planning commission meeting for at least two hours. Prepare a summary that addresses the following:
· Projects or issues addressed.
· The process used to discuss these issues
· Your conclusions about the meeting (was it clear or confusing, hostile or friendly, effective or wasteful?).
· Suggestions you have for improving the effectiveness and outcome of the meeting.
Assignment 3 (optional – extra credit)
Improving the urban environment
Due: November 24
Identify and observe a Bay Area neighborhood or community that you believe is in need of significant physical, social and/or economic change. Spend an hour in the area and record your critical observations. Your report should describe the characteristic elements shaping this area, including transportation, the local economy, the physical infrastructure or environment, etc.
Organize your paper to address the following points:
· A description (less than one page) of the area and its major problems or challenges.
· Public actions (governmental or community) that you would recommend to address or correct the problems.
· Obstacles and how to overcome them in implementing your recommended actions.
Research Paper
This is to be an 8-10 page report on a subject directly related to topics raised in course lectures and readings. The following list suggests appropriate subject areas as a starting point in selecting a specific topic to research. Other subject areas may be selected with approval of instructor. Selection of the research paper topic, along with an outline describing how the paper will be organized, is to be submitted on October 29. The final paper is due on December 8. It should be based on material from books, articles or personal interviews, and include a bibliography. The report will be evaluated on its content (quality and depth of evaluation), organization, writing style, and grammar. Late papers will not be accepted.
· Ideas and influence of a major figure in 20th Century planning.
· Pros and cons of restrictive community growth controls.
· Evaluation of a redevelopment program or project.
· Effective citizen participation tools and techniques in city planning.
· Methods of mitigating gentrification and displacement due to urban revitalization
· Evaluation of a local comprehensive or district plan.
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