71 undergraduate courses in the 2024–25 Undergraduate Calendar, and 55 graduate courses in the Spring 2025 Graduate Calendar.
Undergraduate
PLAN 100Urbanization Today: Introduction to Cities and Regions0.50 units
This course considers the history of urbanization, models of urban and regional development, and ideals of good urban form in Canadian and global contexts. Students will develop a critical perspective on the historical and contemporary relationships between processes of urbanization and broader societal trends and structures. Students will explore how factors such as economic activity and trade, climate change, migration, inequality, and demographic change impact and are, in turn, influenced by urban and regional development.
This is a practical introduction to written communications and oral presentations as they are used specifically in the Planning profession. Report writing, correspondence and interaction with the news media are among the forms of communication considered. Students complete both written and oral assignments. Considerable critical comment is provided on assignment content as well as on technical aspects such as style and grammar.
PLAN 103Planning Governance and Administration0.50 units
This course focuses on how planning is carried out, by whom, and with what impacts for communities. Students will gain an appreciation of the orders of Canadian government and how municipalities function as a "creature of the province" with the legal authority to create official plans, by-laws, plan amendments, site plans, and variances, among other planning tools. Students will be introduced to the legal and fiscal opportunities and constraints faced by municipalities, as well as how these governance systems shape and are shaped by concerns for efficiency, equity, and environmental sustainability.
PLAN 107How Plans are Made: Processes, Stages, and Strategies0.50 units
This course will explore how planning translates knowledge into action across a wide range of contexts, scales, time-frames, and sub-fields. Students will learn the stages of plan-making, including the identification of planning problems, articulation of the overall vision, goals and objectives, formulation of scenarios and options, selection of the preferred course of action, and evaluation and monitoring. Students will learn how to identify transferable lessons and precedents from the existing literature. The course will also explore how planners work with the public and elected officials to formulate, communicate, and build support for a proposed course of action.
PLAN 110Visual Communication and Design for Planners0.50 units
This course explores multiple forms of visual communication and design. Students will be introduced to two and three-dimensional drawings that are relevant for urban planners and designers. Students will gain practical design skills using both hand drawing/sketching and computer software. A key component of this course is student development of a critical understanding of the role of planners as producers and consumers of visual imagery. Students will also learn and experience design as an iterative process.
PLAN 133Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest0.50 units
This course explores how the concept of the public interest has historically shaped the development of planning as a profession and how it informs contemporary planning practice. By exploring some of the critiques and failures of planning in the public interest, this course will contextualize equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice within planning practice, as well as human rights. Students will learn the ways in which these principles can inform how planners develop their cultural competence, as they relate to intersectional issues of race, ethnicity, colonialism, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.
PLAN 202Transportation and Housing: A Systems Approach0.50 units
This course presents cities and regions as systems of systems, with a focus on complexity of land use, transportation, and housing. Students will develop an understanding of how the integration of land use, transportation, and housing contributes to the overall development and function of cities and regions. Students will explore how planning interventions can be used to address urban sprawl, influence citizen mobility, and improve job accessibility while gaining an appreciation of how a systems approach to planning balances issues of equity, affordability, economic development, and the environment. Students will learn to use and interpret simple models of city and regional systems to understand complexity, integration, and the system-wide impact of planning interventions.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS178 - Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics (0.50)
PLAN100 - Urbanization Today: Introduction to Cities and Regions (0.50)
PLAN 203Transportation Planning and Mobility0.50 units
This course explores transportation planning in the broader context of human mobility, including the history of transportation systems (passenger and freight), transportation planning tools and techniques, transportation demand management, and transportation system sustainability. Students will learn about the factors shaping transportation systems over time, the connections between transportation systems and broader societal trends, and the specific techniques used in transportation planning. Students will develop skills in how to evaluate the utility of different transportation modes, examine system performance from different perspectives, and conduct demand forecasting and analysis. The course helps students deepen their understanding of the complex interplay among land use, transport systems, and equity explored in prior courses.
PLAN 205Spatial and Demographic Analysis in Planning0.50 units
This course focuses on spatial and demographic foundations and analytic approaches used in planning. Students will learn about basic concepts in demography, drivers of population change, as well as techniques for population forecasting and projections. Students will also develop their understanding of the types of spatial data, the foundations of visualizing spatial data, and basic cartography. The course will provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge to the collection and analysis of demographic and spatial data relevant to local planning issues.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS178 - Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics (0.50)
PLAN 210Community Design Fundamentals for Planners0.50 units
This course explores the public realm and the impacts of design on everyday life. Students will study fundamental concepts related to built form including morphology, spatial function, and placemaking. Students will explore the local environment through its relationships with environment, society, culture, and economy. Students will learn principles of design theory and iterative thinking, and demonstrate design literacy through observation, analysis, and representation of built form using a range of visual techniques.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN110 - Visual Communication and Design for Planners (0.50)
This is a studio-based course through which students will examine contemporary urban design challenges and apply theory and technical knowledge to the development and presentation of design interventions. The course emphasizes the development of qualitative and quantitative visual analysis skills, as well as the expression of design ideas through a range of manual and digital visual communication techniques. Students work in both individual and group settings to perform research and analyze a small-scale study area and, through studio discussions and critiques, develop creative design solutions.
Prerequisites
Must have completed the following:
PLAN210 - Community Design Fundamentals for Planners (0.50)
PLAN 233Social Planning and Community Development0.50 units
This course explores the origins and practices of social planning and its relationship to the field of community development. Students will learn how interventions in the built environment and urban policy-making can be used to advance community well-being and human flourishing. Students will focus on the relationship between planning practice and social outcomes, and the importance of considering social objectives alongside the economic and environmental priorities of sustainable development. Students will expand their skills in demographic analysis to assess community needs through mapping community assets, resources, amenities, and services that support the advancement of complete communities.
PLAN 240Environmental Planning and Policy0.50 units
This course explores environmental planning and policy in Canada and other contexts. Students will learn how environmental policies affect planning procedures, how planners engage with environmental policy, and how planners apply relevant planning tools in diverse policy contexts. Students will also develop skills in policy analysis, navigating regulatory landscapes, and environmental planning approaches.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
BIOL150 - Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology (0.50)
This course develops students' skills in the design and facilitation of public participation processes. It explores a range of community engagement tools that can be used in large and small group settings, as well as options for online engagement, focusing on how to make sensible choices between the different tools. The course also considers how planners can create inclusive public participation processes and settings. Students will be introduced to the techniques for analyzing the community feedback received during an engagement process, with a specific focus on the methods of qualitative analysis.
PLAN 261Urban and Metropolitan Planning and Development0.50 units
This course explores the relationship between planning instruments and the urban land use market. It relates urban outcomes to interactions between market processes and planning interventions. It is in this light that it interprets changing urban land use and transportation patterns since the late 1940s, as well as contemporary urban issues. These issues are chosen so as to underscore differences in the circumstances confronting different zones of urbanization (core, inner city, inner suburb, and outer suburb).
Prerequisites
Must have completed the following:
PLAN100 - Urbanization Today: Introduction to Cities and Regions (0.50)
PLAN 262Introduction to Global Emerging Cities0.50 units
This course focuses on the dynamics of growth and change in global emerging cities, with a focus on the urban transition underway in cities, with emphasis on Asia and Africa. Current urban challenges (e.g. social inequality, uneven development, climate change) are discussed, as well as opportunities for innovative planning and sustainable urban development.
This course will introduce smart urban technologies in the context of managing urban infrastructures and design. Knowledge of how innovations in technology, design, planning, and policy can greatly improve urban living at both local and global scales. The course will explore the potential of smart urban technologies and systems, such as geographic information systems (GIS), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the context of city planning and sustainable communities. Labs will enable students to learn about the technology of sensors, the type of data they produce, and how the data can be collectively used for urban applications, such as transportation, public safety, environmental health, and facilities management.
PLAN 281Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)0.50 units
Introduction to the fundamental concepts and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students learn about the nature of geographic information and how to store, manipulate and analyze spatial data in a range of application areas. Students will learn underlying theory in lectures and gain a working knowledge of GIS software in lab sessions.
This course examines different perspectives on the nature of planning expertise, the ethical and moral frameworks through which planners make decisions, and the desired relationship with community members and other governance actors. Students will learn different theories or models of planning practice, including rational-comprehensive planning, advocacy planning, communicative planning, and others. Students will explore how these theories influence decision-making behaviour and outcomes, as well as express different visions of the roles, expertise, and responsibilities of a planning professional. By exploring different planning models and ethical frameworks, students will also develop their capacities for reflective practice.
This course introduces students to the site planning and design process for individual or small-scale urban sites. Through focused site visits and analysis exercises, students develop skills in common site planning research and design procedures including the inventory and analysis of a site's natural, built, and social conditions; programming and concept development; and the development of technical drawings that are part of the site plan approval process. Lectures and studio discussions and critiques will help students develop a critical understanding of the economic and policy contexts that inform site planning solutions.
PLAN 320Economic Analyses for Regional Planning0.50 units
This course will focus on the analytical tools and techniques used to inform planning and economic development decisions. Students will build on knowledge from prior courses to think critically about analytical techniques and identify their pros and cons in understanding the workings of local economies. Students will develop their understanding of employment and demographic forecasting, economic strength analysis, and cost-benefit analysis. Students will enhance their ability to analyze and evaluate local economic and demographic change. Students will also learn specific local economic analysis techniques and understand their role in informing public policy.
Prerequisites
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
PLAN 333Neighbourhood and Community Planning0.50 units
This course examines various concepts and issues related to community planning at the neighbourhood-scale. Students will learn about the dynamics of neighbourhood change by exploring gentrification, suburbanization, and core area revitalization, and will gain an appreciation of how different community groups organize and respond to these changes. Students will also explore how planning practice can foster community capacity building and empowerment, and support community-led initiatives. This course normally includes a field component.
Prerequisites
Must have completed the following:
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
PLAN 340Canadian Environmental Policy and Politics0.50 units
Consideration of the intersection between key ecological themes and recent policy developments. Investigation of current issues in environmental science and politics. Development of critical skills for assessing, framing and conveying information essential to planning, managing and developing policy for environmental stewardship.
Prerequisites
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
BIOL150 - Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology (0.50)
PLAN 341Ecology and Conservation for Planning0.50 units
This course provides students with a critical understanding of the relationship between human development and natural environments. Students will develop an understanding of core ecological principles and how these can be taken up in plans and policies to promote nature conservation in urban and rural environments. The course will include examples of how planners mitigate the environmental impacts of development of land, allotment of open space and parks, and conservation of sensitive areas and species in both urban and rural contexts.
PLAN 346Advanced Tools for Planning: Public Participation and Mediation0.50 units
A number of approaches and techniques such as Public Participation, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation are used extensively in modern planning. This course addresses these techniques and critically explores their background, rationale, application, and use in contemporary community planning within a modern democratic society.
PLAN 348Planning to Confront Climate Change0.50 units
This course uses a problem-based approach to advance students' knowledge of climate change with an emphasis on the role of planners and public policy in addressing this crisis through both adaptation and mitigation. Students will hone their understanding of how planners can use climate change science to guide their practice and apply their knowledge to develop climate change policies and plans within multi-scale and intersectoral governance systems. Students will explore how the wicked problem of climate change can be confronted through planning policies and laws, design interventions, nature-based solutions, and community engagement.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN341 - Ecology and Conservation for Planning (0.50)
PLAN 349Urban Form and Spatial Structure0.50 units
This course will focus on the comparative analysis of urban spatial structure and urban form, as well as the administrative and regulatory implications of urbanization around the world. Students will develop knowledge of global urban issues and compare policy responses related to urban economies, transportation and land use planning, housing and community development, sustainable urban environment, urban poverty, peri-urbanization, urban heritage, and conservation planning, etc. Students will assess planning problems and solutions from both industrialized and developing countries.
Prerequisites
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG101 - Human Geographies: People, Space and Change (0.50)
PLAN100 - Urbanization Today: Introduction to Cities and Regions (0.50)
This course develops the capacity of students to apply research methods to planning-related issues. Examination of a variety of alternative approaches to designing and conducting research. Students learn how to become informed consumers and producers of planning-related research.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
Advanced quantitative analysis in a spatial context. A selection of techniques from sampling, geostatistics, point pattern analysis and cluster detection, spatial classification, and spatial data mining.
Prerequisites
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
Antirequisites
Not open to students enrolled in a program offered by Faculty of Mathematics
This course will focus on the planning approaches and theory relevant to advance sustainable agriculture in rural and urban areas. Students will learn how agricultural systems function to provide benefits to society and the role of planning in the context of the climate and biodiversity crises. Students will also learn about relevant legislation and governance related to agricultural systems in Canada and other parts of the globe. Students will develop their ability to understand the unique challenges related to agriculture in diverse parts of the globe and identify relevant planning approaches to address these challenges.
PLAN 375Municipal Finance and Land Economics0.50 units
This course examines the intersecting elements of municipal finance and land economics in the context of planning. Students will develop an understanding of how municipalities generate and receive revenue, in both Canadian and global contexts. Key issues in municipal finance and budgeting will be discussed such as generating revenues through property taxes, development charges, user fees, and transfers from other orders of government. Students will learn key principles of land economics including land value capture and uplift, real estate market functions, and externalities. Students will explore the distributional impacts of different municipal revenue/spending decisions and the influence of broader changes in the economy.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN103 - Planning Governance and Administration (0.50)
This course explores the role of planning community safety through an examination of the intersection between physical and social environments and crime. Students will explore place-based determinants of deviant and anti-social behaviour, illegal activities including property and violent crimes, and perceptions of personal safety. Students will also explore several strategies employed by planners to improve community safety including crime mapping and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Students will learn about the benefits and criticisms of these tools, while also enhancing their practical skills in city planning through exercises in crime mapping.
PLAN 381Advanced Geographic Information Systems0.50 units
Students learn theoretical and operational approaches to advanced spatial analysis using geographical information systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of automation procedures using models and programming to address a variety of topics that may include but are not limited to digital terrain modeling, suitability analysis, network analysis, and cell-based models. The domain of spatial problems explored may vary by instructor.
Prerequisites
Complete 1 of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
This course focuses on design and development of a GIS database. It addresses theoretical issues regarding data models used in GIS and data modeling techniques used in designing spatial databases. It considers the processing required to input data from a variety of sources and clean and edit a multi-theme database and introduces students to creation and use of internet map services.
Prerequisites
Complete 1 of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN 401Conflict, Negotiation, and Tribunals in Planning0.50 units
The course will explore the concept, causes, and roles of conflict, noting potential positive as well as negative characteristics of conflict in planning practice. Various conflict resolution strategies will be examined, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR), negotiation, and mediation. The roles of formal planning tribunals will be discussed through a review of tribunal mandates and practices in Canada and abroad. The course will use simulations to develop students' skills in approaching difficult conversations and active listening.
PLAN 403Professional Practice, Public and Private Administration0.50 units
Professional practice responsibility and ethics, administrative methods and organization are considered in the context of the nature of organizations, politics, and economics that provide opportunities and limitations. Perspectives are drawn from organizational theory, public administration, land economics, political and planning theory. Public sector decision making and policy development are discussed. This course may have a field component.
This capstone course provides students with an opportunity to integrate their planning knowledge and skill in an applied context. Students will apply and integrate methodological, theoretical, analytic, and substantive planning knowledge from previous years in the program to complete a planning project for a professional client. Working in groups, students will develop, implement, and present their applied projects to clients.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of traditional and contemporary theories of urban design and their application in a variety of contexts. Students will develop their understanding of the spatial, environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects of urban design that lead to improved quality of life within a robust and sustainable urban environment. Students will develop critical thinking skills through analysis of precedents and trends in urban design as well as through study of international case studies and viewpoints.
This intensive urban design studio provides students with the opportunity to work collaboratively in teams to develop knowledge and experience in planning and urban design at the larger scale of a subdivision or district. Studio and field instruction emphasize the integration of ecological, cultural, economic, and policy factors that contribute to the development or redevelopment of environmentally sustainable and socially vibrant mixed-use communities. Design work and reports will be developed to professional standards for presentation to a community client or expert jury panel.
This course will examine the role of cultural heritage resources in urban and regional planning. Students will discuss different types of cultural heritage resources, including their identification, evaluation, promotion, protection, and role in community identity. Students will also consider the legislative and policy frameworks for heritage conservation and learn how to apply key tools for inventorying and evaluating cultural heritage resources.
PLAN 415Urban Planning and Development in Transitional China0.50 units
This course will focus on contemporary urban planning and development in China, especially in the context of the country's economic reform and globalization. Students will learn about the political, social, economic, environmental, and spatial opportunities and challenges facing urban China in transition, including but not limited to rural-urban migration, urban land and housing development, economic transformation, spatial restructuring, urban governance, citizenship and rights, and environmental sustainability. Students will develop/enhance their understanding of international planning and development, and their critical thinking skills, about diverse urban issues in Chinese cities.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
PLAN202 - Transportation and Housing: A Systems Approach (0.50)
PLAN261 - Urban and Metropolitan Planning and Development (0.50)
This course will focus on understanding, interpreting, and designing computational models of urban systems. Topics include urban land-use change, transportation, public health, and environmental health. Students will learn how to critically review and interpret urban simulation models and discuss their applications of urban simulation models to planning case studies. Students will also learn how to develop an urban modelling research question, identify needed inputs, and identify output knowledge and how it can be used. Students will develop/enhance their analytical and communication skills.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN 417Aggregate Resources Planning, Development, and Management0.50 units
This course will focus on the planning and management of aggregate resources (sand, gravel, and stone). These resources are critical to infrastructure and urban development and are often subject to land use/environmental issues and conflicts. Course topics related to aggregate resources include relevant legislation, geology, economics, site plans, licensing, technical/peer reviews, water resources, pit and quarry rehabilitation and after-use strategies, and significant tribunal decisions. Students will enhance their analysis and review experience through study of practical case studies and current issues.
This course develops the capacity of students to apply methods of spatial demography. Spatial demography refers to the statistical study of human population using spatial methods for analyzing demographic data. It can provide insights into the understanding of geographic variations of population's characteristics, which in turn can help to make better plans in building the environment. Through this course, students will learn the basic concepts, data sources, data issues, methodologies, and applications of spatial demography.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
PLAN 419Planning Climate Change and Community0.50 units
This course will focus on strategies that planners use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and build resilience to current and future climate. Students will learn about key opportunities and challenges associated with the integration of climate change into urban and rural planning. Students will learn about topics such as urban climate vulnerability, low-carbon transport systems, urban green infrastructure, reducing social vulnerability with regenerative design, use of information and communication technology for system efficiency and resilience, and assessment of synergies and trade-offs between mitigation and adaptation. Students will also examine leading policy and design cases from communities across Canada and internationally and build skills in climate change plan development.
Prerequisites
Students must be in level 3A or higher
Antirequisites
Complete all of the following
Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
PLAN348 - Planning to Confront Climate Change (0.50)
This course will focus on issues in housing such as affordability, suitability, need and supply, homelessness, informality, evictions, and displacement. Students will learn about the factors shaping housing provision and outcomes, the current and historic role of the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in the provision of housing, and the roles of different policies in ameliorating or exacerbating housing concerns. Students will enhance their abilities to identify root causes of planning problems and develop skills to analyze and articulate the implications of different types of housing systems and policies from a diversity of public interest perspectives.
PLAN 432Health and the Built Environment0.50 units
This course will focus on current issues at the intersection of health, planning, and the built and natural environments. Students will learn the history and evolution of both public health and urban planning professions and academic disciplines and gain an appreciation of the theories and methods used in each. Students will also learn about specific health and planning issues (e.g., air pollution, physical activity, injury, mental health) as well as how better health and health equity can be built into future cities. Students will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration skills by working with classmates across faculties on multiple activities.
This course will focus on the key social issues within planning such as inequality, displacement, and discrimination. Students will learn about growing levels of social and spatial inequality within Canadian cities and the role of planning in both exacerbating and reducing these divisions. Students will also learn about the relationship between social planning and land use planning, including how transportation inequalities impact urban and social change. Students will enhance their understanding of how major forces of change, such as deindustrialization and globalization, impact communities in different ways at the neighbourhood, city, and regional scale.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
This course will use a complex systems lens to explore how to plan for and build more resilient and equitable urban service systems. Students will gain an appreciation of how waste, water, sanitation, transportation, energy, and/or telecommunications services are delivered and the implications of infrastructure failures and disruptions. Students will also explore potential solutions for building more resilient and equitable urban services to withstand the inevitable uncertainties of our changing climate. Through various modes of evaluation, students will enhance their oral and written communication skills as well as develop skills in social-ecological-technical systems transformation.
PLAN 441Disabling Environments and Accessibility in Planning0.50 units
This advanced course enhances students' knowledge on the role of planners and planning in creating supportive and accessible environments for all individuals. Through engagement with critical disability scholarship and theories of person-environment interaction, students will explore planned spaces as disabling/enabling environments for people living with physical, cognitive, and sensory/neuro diversity.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
PLAN133 - Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest (0.50)
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
This advanced course uses conceptual readings and contemporary case studies from Canada and other settler-colonial contexts to critically examine how planning initiatives in both urban and rural contexts relate to the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. Students will also explore the possibilities for planning that is grounded in the knowledge, perspectives, and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
PLAN133 - Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest (0.50)
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
PLAN 443Planning for Ethno-Cultural Diversity and Difference0.50 units
This advanced course delves into the rich body of planning scholarship on spaces of ethno-cultural diversity and difference. Students will interrogate theories of multiculturalism, interculturalism, social inclusion and integration, and equity in the context of planning scholarship and practice. Students will apply these theories to contemporary planning challenges such as multi-generational housing, places of worship, culture-specific design, and inclusive public engagement. Students will study local planning conflicts to understand the role of built form in creating inclusive communities of difference.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
PLAN133 - Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest (0.50)
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
PLAN 445Gender and Queer Inclusive Planning0.50 units
This advanced course addresses the intersection between planning, gender, and sexual orientation. Students will learn about strategies for challenging the patriarchal, cis-gendered, and heteronormative assumptions in planning scholarship and practice. Students will explore how urban form shapes experiences of safety and mobility for women and queer communities as well as their sense of belonging. The course will also address how women and queer communities are engaged in planning processes and the profession itself.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
PLAN133 - Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest (0.50)
PLAN233 - Social Planning and Community Development (0.50)
PLAN 451Environmental Planning in Rural and Regional Systems0.50 units
This course explores environmental planning in rural and regional systems. Students will learn how planning can help address environmental problems (e.g., climate change, biodiversity loss) in distinct rural contexts, how regional approaches to planning help improve capacity to address environmental issues, and how planning tools can be adapted within rural and regional systems. Students will also develop skills in participatory rural appraisal, collaborative planning, and stakeholder analysis.
PLAN 452Policy Analysis and Evaluation for Planners0.50 units
This course reviews the fundamentals of policy analysis, program and plan monitoring, and evaluation in the context of planning practice. Students will learn the principles of structured decision making and multi-criteria analysis as well as the role of various governance actors and other stakeholders in these processes. Through case studies and real-world examples, students will develop an appreciation for the various qualitative and quantitative tools that can be used for policy analysis, and plan and program evaluation.
Urban stormwater runoff affects the water quality, water quantity, habitat and biological resources, public health and aesthetic appearance of urban waterways. This course reviews the physical and chemical processes, environmental assessment techniques and best management practices related to stormwater management in the urban systems.
PLAN 468Introduction to Agent-Based Modelling0.50 units
This course will focus on agent-based simulation models used to investigate research questions about complex social and ecological systems. Students will learn to identify a research question related to a real-world system and describe the system actors, their environment, and feedbacks between them. Students will also learn to design, build, and analyze simple simulation models of their systems as exploratory "tools to think with", conduct modelling experiments, and communicate the limits of knowledge gained through modelling. Students will develop/enhance their ability to understand and represent a real-world case study as a system, program, and design and interpret experiments.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
This course reviews the legal basis for planning in the province of Ontario. Students will examine how legal processes and statutory requirements, including relevant legislation, by-laws, and policies, guide land use planning. The primary focus will be on the division of authority between provincial and municipal governments, and the role of municipalities in making planning decisions. Students will further explore how planning law deferentially affects planners, municipalities, property owners, and residents.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS201 - Introduction to Canadian Environmental Law (0.50)
PLAN103 - Planning Governance and Administration (0.50)
This course will focus on walking and cycling and the role that planning plays in enhancing active transportation. Students will learn about how automobile dependence shapes patterns, and experiences of mobility beyond the car. Students will also learn about the social, economic, safety, health, and equity benefits of enhancing active transportation, as well as planning, policy, and political challenges. This course will combine theoretical inquiry and empirical case studies from across North America and beyond. Students will enhance skills in evaluating policies, plans and programs related to active transportation, as well as enhance digital communication skills.
This course will focus on material flows from local to global, explored through the transportation land use interrelationships and systems lens. Students will learn the fundamentals of major freight modes, their relevant policy, regulatory and planning domains, and the complex roles, intersections, and impacts of freight in our communities. Students will develop/enhance their research, data analytics, and communication skills.
The historical evolution of transit in cities; the technological innovations which made transit possible; and transit mode definitions. Models of transit vehicle motion are presented; transit travel times under different travel regimes are derived. Transit scheduling methods are shown. System operational characteristics are defined and quantitative measures of effectiveness are introduced. Transit network planning objectives are identified; actual geometries are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Transit ownership structures and economics are discussed; contemporary ITS applications are presented. Methods for selecting appropriate transit modes are covered.
Prerequisites
Complete 1 of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
PLAN 480Planning Theory and Practice Abroad0.50 units
This course will introduce students to international planning theories and practices through an immersive international field trip that entails site visits to and observations of planning interventions, and through meetings with local planning experts (academics and practitioners). Students will develop/enhance their ability to connect theory and practice as well as various planning aspects. They will also enhance their ability to analyze a case study in-depth. Importantly, the students will forge international connections.
PLAN 481Geographic Information Systems Project1.00 units
The development, implementation, and presentation of a response to a set of GIS related project requirements is the focus of this course. Students work in small teams to enhance and develop their abilities to work with GIS and related spatial technologies and analytical methods in an advanced project setting. The nature of the project requirements and themes varies with faculty and student strengths and interests. Projects may emphasize development of software applications, use of programming, or advanced GIS analysis methods, and draw from theme areas such as environment studies and management, human and physical geography, or planning.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
PLAN381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
This course provides a planning perspective on the design, economics, and financing of land development projects (e.g., residential high-rise condominium, low-rise residential subdivision, infill, intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and/or industrial/commercial land development). The perspectives and roles of public and private sector planners will be examined in this course. Students will learn about sources of financing, review land use planning principles and policies, and discuss the environmental and engineering aspects of land development. Students will acquire skills in project risk analysis and pro forma calculation. This course may include a field component.
PLAN 484Physical Infrastructure Planning0.50 units
The need for infrastructure and environmental assessments; the impacts of infrastructure on urban form; core infrastructure concepts; economics of infrastructure costs, finance and pricing. Infrastructure evaluation and management methods.
PLAN 485Projects, Problems, and Readings in Planning0.50 units
This course offers students with an opportunity to explore an interest in a specific area of planning through directed supervision of a Planning faculty member. Course readings and deliverables are negotiated between the instructor and the student to provide appropriate scope and rigour.
Students must arrange with a faculty member to serve as advisor and complete a contract, prior to registering for this course.
PLAN 487Management Issues in Geographic Information Systems0.50 units
Built around a set of key issues in the management of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Focuses on middle management concerns and covers topics including GIS needs assessment, benchmarking, the law and spatial data, spatial data warehousing, multi-user GIS modelling, and GIS application development. Uses of GIS in both public and private sector organizations are covered.
Prerequisites
Complete 1 of the following
Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
GEOG381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
PLAN381 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (0.50)
Students will pursue an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member. The results of this research will be presented in the form of an essay that meets both professional and academic standards.
An examination of tribunals and boards that adjudicate matters related to land use planning, environmental and heritage protection, property assessment, land valuation, and other matters. Topics include: tribunal/board history; appeal rights and procedures; the roles and responsibilities of planners, lawyers and stakeholders; and critical perspectives regarding current and alternative practices.
An examination of planning issues related to the design, economics and financing of private land and building construction projects including residential high-rise condominium, low-rise residential subdivision, infill, intensification and brownfield redevelopment and industrial/commerial land development. The course focuses on developer decision-making, analysis of risk, sources of financing, planning, environmental and engineering aspects of land development. This course may include a field component. (Note: If a field trip occurs, the cost will not exceed $50.)
This course examines the use of computer modeling and simulation in the realm of urban analysis and forecasting, with the goal of understanding urban land-use change trajectories. Topics include an overview of the drivers and consequences in urban land-use change, the role of models, an overview of current methodological approaches, and an examination of urban simulation models as used in the development of urban policies and official plans. This course provides an applied learning environment in which students will gain experience in the use of spatial (GIS) modeling approaches.
PLAN 611Industrial Location Theory and Concepts0.50 units
Examination of industrial location theory, and themes concerning the role of manufacturing in the space-economy. Factors of location will be considered as will the way that manufacturing has led to spatial disparity on international, regional and local levels.
PLAN 613Innovation and Economic Development in Cities and Regions0.50 units
This course offers a critical examination of the innovation, knowledge creation and circulation, and governance processes that underpin contemporary economic development in cities and regions. Strategies, policies and programs that are intended to support and promote innovation and economic development in urban and regional economies are analyzed.
An examination of social planning and policy issues associated with Canada's housing system, considering the roles of various levels of government and the private sector in developing socially sustainable, affordable housing. The course considers the housing needs of various social and demographic groups. We use case study methods to examine the redevelopment of social housing. Issues of social mix, live-work, housing need and homelessness, and ways housing can create community are considered. This course normally includes a fee component. (Field trip will not exceed $60.)
Community Economic Development is a field of theory, process and practice that is concerned with understanding the forces shaping communities and finding sustainable local solutions to economic needs. This seminar course will examine topics such as capacity-building, asset-based strategies, social capital, poverty-alleviation, social enterprises and co-operatives, and comprehensive community initiatives, using international and local examples and case studies.
Theory and application of multivariate statistics, regression and correlation analysis, factor analysis, discriminant analysis and grouping analysis, with emphasis on the use of the computer. *eligible for MES.
Presentation of analytical and simulation models useful in analyzing geographic phenomena such as spatial interaction, spatial dependence, spatial equilibria and locational optimization; consideration is given to both theoretical and empirical components. *eligible for MES
PLAN 619Analytical Tools for Economic Development0.50 units
The course provides an overview and hands-on application of the quantitative analytical methods regularly used by professionals in economic development and related fields. Emerging analytical tools and techniques are explored.
PLAN 621Metropolitan Form and Structure in Canada0.50 units
A seminar on selected topics of particular relevance to understanding and planning for contemporary processes of metropolitan change in Canada. Major topics represent an interrelated set of exogenous forces, (globalization, economic restructuring, technological innovation and immigration and demographic shift), and endogenous structural responses, (central city decline, revitalization, dispersed styles of suburban development and new urbanist and ecologically sustainable styles of planned intervention).
PLAN 622Contemporary Urban Planning and Governance0.50 units
The distinct circumstances of the central business district, the inner city, the inner suburb and the outer suburb are explored in the context of political and economic factors that influence urban planning processes and outcomes. Urban governance, land market dynamics, and urban planning instruments are discussed.
An advanced examination of planners in their environment considering the relationship between social and land use planning. The course will examine a set of social concepts which may include: safety, gentrification, neighbourhood revitalization, social mix, community, displacement, participation, social capital, social sustainability, accessibility, public space, urban sprawl and social cohesion.
PLAN 625Methods of Social Investigation for Planners0.50 units
Selected research approaches and methods used in planning research and practice including, for example, survey research, field research, participatory research; methods using existing data; needs assessment research. The purposes of social inquiry, the development of theories, the use of research in policy-making, and the ethical issues associated with social research provide the context for discussing the details of research methods. A course for those with some research skills and wishing to pursue planning-related methods.
PLAN 627Climate Change and Community Planning0.50 units
Climate change has complex implications for communities across Canada and Planners are at the forefront of developing and implementing strategies to both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build resilience to current and future climate. This course focuses on some of the opportunities and challenges associated with the integration of climate change into urban and rural planning, including climate vulnerability of urban systems, low-carbon transport systems, urban greening and green infrastructure for climate resilience, regenerative designs that reduce social vulnerability, the role of information and communication technologies for system efficiency and resilience, and assessing synergies and conflicts between mitigation and adaptation. Leading policy and design cases from communities across Canada and internationally will be examined.
A seminar in Planning Law using the case study approach. Although the emphasis is primarily on the law in Ontario, reference is made to planning law in other provinces for purposes of comparison. Planning issues dealt with by the Ontario Municipal Board are used to illustrate the power to regulate the use of land, the law relating to citizen participation, problems of non-conforming uses, and the maintenance of environmental quality in neighbourhoods and communities. Some general familiarity with law is desirable, but not essential. Estimated additional cost to student: $40.00
PLAN 639Health, Environment and Planning0.50 units
This course examines the relationship between the environment (built/physical, economic, social, political and natural aspects) and population health. It focuses on conceptual and empirical links among current environment-health issues such as air quality, active transportation, injury prevention, climate change, and mental well-being. Emphasis is placed on the role of urban planners in collaboration with allied professionals (e.g., public health, engineering, law enforcement, architecture) in creating and maintaining healthy built environments to improve population health with a focus on key health issues. The importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, healthy public policy and effective tools for assessing healthy communities will be illustrated using case studies. *eligible for MES.
The role of cultural heritage in the community context is examined. Varying forms of heritage preservation, its function and organization are covered. This course may include a field component. (If a field trip occurs, the cost will not exceed $25.)
A design studio that focuses on design planning for individual sites and small scale developments. Projects integrate critical features: terrain, natural and cultural context, microclimate, infrastructure, and adjacent land uses. Studio seminars, consultation and critiques explore theory and practice in observation, awareness, comprehension, and idea development. (Note: Studio fee of $15 may be charged.)
A design studio on planning design at the community scale that is sensitive to the natural, built, and cultural context. Field study projects of area development or redevelopment projects are used to examine traditional and contemporary theory and practice. Studio seminars, presentations and critiques explore the definition, management and mapping of physical structures, visual and environmental resources. Included is consideration of the special problems of planning development within a scenic landscape. (Note: Studio fee: $15 may be charged. If a field trip occurs, the cost will not exceed $50. Estimated supply and printing cost will not exceed $150.)
An exploration of traditional and contemporary theories of urban design and their application in a variety of contexts. This involves study of approaches that lead to improved quality of life within a robust and sustainable urban environment. Topic includes the special, environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects of urban design. Precedents and trends will be analyzed. International viewpoints and case studies are considered. (Note: Estimated material cost to student will not exceed $75.)
This seminar course provides an introduction to methods of analyzing current environmental policy problems. Students will learn a step-by-step process of prescriptive activities used to aid decision making about natural resources. If held in conjunction with Plan 452, the graduate student requirement will be equivalent to the stand-alone graduate course.
PLAN 654Spatial Information Technology, Globalization and International Development0.50 units
This course considers the role of GIS and RS technologies for problem solving and planning decision support in developing countries. Topics covered include the globalisation of information technology and its transfer from developed to developing countries and general aspects of the spatial information technology industry and its relationship to society. *eligible for MES.
PLAN 657GIS and Spatial Decision Support for Planning and Resource Management0.50 units
This course introduces students to key theories, concepts and techniques that have been developed recently to improve the design support capabilities of spatial information systems. Topics covered include participatory GIS, group-based spatial decision support systems, and the integration of multi-criteria analysis (MCA) methods with GIS to facilitate decision-making in planning. *eligible for MES
PLAN 661AApplied Studies in Hydrology and the Environment 10.50 units
This applied hydrology course involves defining, designing and conducting research on the hydrology and/or water quality of a specific environmental setting. Drawing on strengths and interests of students, the field and laboratory activities in this course typically involve collection, analysis and reporting of primary data. The Fall-term (661A) focuses on literature review, problem definition, methodological design and data collection; the Winter-term (661B) includes analysis, interpretation and write-up suitable for publication in a refereed journal. Group work is typically involved. *eligible for MES
PLAN 665Environmental Planning Theory and Practice0.50 units
An interdisciplinary approach to environmental planning. Focuses on the socio-economic, planning, environmental science, design, and decision-making theories and methods utilized in environmental planning theory and practice. Regional and local case studies and studio projects will be used to demonstrate professional practice issues and techniques. Recommended: A senior level course in ecology, environmental science, landscape architecture or equivalent. *eligible for MES.
PLAN 666Ecosystem Approach to Park Planning0.50 units
An ecological approach to planning national and provincial parks, focusing on system planning, master planning and park administration. Examination of the theory and practice of parks planning, utilizing ecological concepts. Recommended: a senior undergrad or graduate ecology course. Estimated additional field trip cost to student: $30.00 *eligible for MES
These courses allow for additions to the program on a short-term basis, and for development of future permanent courses. Eligible for MES (subject to approval of the School of Planning Graduate Officer).
PLAN 675Special Readings on Selected Planning Topics0.50 units
Study topic to be defined on an individual basis with a faculty member to cover materials not otherwise available in a graduate course offered in this or near-by universities. A specific outline for the course of study is developed in consultation with the professor in charge and is subject to School approval by the Associate Director (Graduate Studies), within 3 weeks of the beginning of term. *eligible for MES (subject to approval of the School of Planning Graduate Officer)
This course critically explores the evolution of freight planning and policy in the urban and regional realms from the early importance of ports to modern global logistics. Emphasis is placed on understanding 1) the theory, fundamental characteristics, and methods of analyzing freight systems and 2) planning/policy perspectives on freight transportation.
PLAN 678Advances in Public Transportation Planning, Operations & Control0.50 units
The historical evolution of transit in cities; the technological innovations which made transit possible; and transit mode definitions. Models of transit vehicle motion are presented; transit travel times under different travel regimes are derived. Transit scheduling methods are shown. System operational characteristics are defined and quantitative measures of effectiveness are introduced. Transit network planning objectives are identified; actual geometries are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Transit ownership structures and economics are discussed; contemporary ITS applications are presented. Methods for selecting appropriate transit modes are covered.*eligible for MES
PLAN 684Physical Infrastructure and Planning0.50 units
Plan 684 introduces students to the planning of physical infrastructure. The course covers governments' roles in regulating, financing and maintaining public infrastructure such as transportation or water systems. The impacts of infrastructure provision on land use, the environment, economic development and social equity are also addressed. Quantitative methods of predicting infrastructure demand and utilization are presented. The role of private sector in providing and maintaining infrastructure is discussed. *eligible for MES
PLAN 685Urban Planning and Development in Transitional China0.50 units
This course offers a critical understanding of China's urban planning and development in the context of the country's economic reform and globalization. It engages with the on-going social, economic, environmental, and spatial challenges facing transitional urban China. The course exposes students to diverse and essential issues such as urban form, urban system, rural-urban migration, urban land and housing development, economic transformation, spatial restructuring, urban governance, citizenship and rights, urban sprawl and expansion and environmental sustainability.
PLAN 686Aggregate Resources Planning, Development and Management0.50 units
This course introduces students to a variety of topics associated with aggregate resources (sand, gravel and stone), important but contentious issues in planning and resource management in Ontario and elsewhere. Products produced by pits and quarries are critical to infrastructure and urban development, but are subject to a number of land use/environmental issues and potential conflicts. Students will be exposed to a range of topics related to aggregate resources - relevant legislation, geology, economics, Site Plans, technical requirements for licensing, technical/peer reviews, resources management, cumulative effects, water resources, pit and quarry rehabilitation and after-use strategies, and significant Tribunal decisions. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications and "real world" issues.
Historical background and development of planning including cultural, philosophical and disciplinary roots; planning theory and its applications in urban, regional, service and environmental areas.
The fundamentals of municipal land use planning are introduced in this course. Important planning and financial instruments, administrative processes and planning practice issues are reviewed. Participants will learn about relevant legislation (e.g. Planning and Municipal Acts), policy plans (e.g. official plans, secondary plans, subdivision plans) and plan implementation tools (e.g. zoning bylaws, site plans, easements, consents and variances). Municipal budgets and accounting concepts, and financing strategies (e.g. assessments, mill rates, capital works, and debentures) are studied.
PLAN 702Critical Assessment of Theories, Methods and Practices of Planning0.50 units
Through a series of case studies students will engage in critically reflecting upon the theories, methods and procedures applicable in the professional practice of planning.
Professional practice responsibilities and ethics, administration methods, financing, and organization are considered in the context of the nature of organizations, politics and economics.
This course is a graduate level introduction into the analytical methods employed in planning research and practice. The broad spectrum of tools, approaches and techniques drawn from quantitative and qualitative traditions will be reviewed. Commonly employed examples will form the basis for developing applied problem solving skills. Operational considerations, critical assessment, and analytical communication provide the important review context.
The foundation of this course is the intersection of the strong relation between urban design as the shaping of urban space and urban planning as the strategic and regulatory mediation of urban change. Establishing the basis of this relationship, the course critically explores contemporary issues in urban design and their implications for urban futures, planning, the environment, and the public realm. Case studies drawn from around the globe are featured.
The nature and implications of key forces of change, trends and current issues are identified in the context of urban and regional planning practice. Case studies, drawn from Canadian and international experiences and challenges, will frame the exploration of evolving, contemporary issues.
PLAN 720Introductory Planning Project Studio1.00 units
This studio course introduces students to the process of collaborative problem solving central in Planning practice. Students work in teams, led by faculty facilitators, in applying theory and knowledge from Planning and related disciplines to problems drawn from the local community planning context. The emphasis is on the development of student skills including design, plan making, teamwork, creativity, negotiation, management, and policy application and creation. Problem based learning, reflection on process and communications are central in this course.
PLAN 721Advanced Planning Project Studio1.00 units
This student centered studio course involves partnering with a local community, providing student led groups on opportunity to emulate professional practice under the guidance of an assigned faculty member. Skills and knowledge developed in the introductory studio course are enhanced and important community engagement skills are emphasized in the chosen project. Reflective learning is central as students are expected to assess the process, the outcome, and the interrelationship between them. Community presentation of the problem solution is required.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN720 - Introductory Planning Project Studio (1.00)
A discussion forum to bring together PhD students in planning. An opportunity for students to learn about the breadth of research conducted in planning and to receive feedback from others on their own progress. Seminars consist of rotating student presentations on their current research, including but not limited to comprehensive exam, research proposal, on-going thesis work, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
A discussion forum to bring together PhD students in planning. An opportunity for students to learn about the breadth of research conducted in planning and to receive feedback from others on their own progress. Seminars consist of rotating student presentations on their current research, including but not limited to comprehensive exam, research proposal, on-going thesis work, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
A discussion forum to bring together PhD students in planning. An opportunity for students to learn about the breadth of research conducted in planning and to receive feedback from others on their own progress. Seminars consist of rotating student presentations on their current research, including but not limited to comprehensive exam, research proposal, on-going thesis work, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
A discussion forum to bring together PhD students in planning. An opportunity for students to learn about the breadth of research conducted in planning and to receive feedback from others on their own progress. Seminars consist of rotating student presentations on their current research, including but not limited to comprehensive exam, research proposal, on-going thesis work, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
PLAN 801Foundations of Planning Scholarship0.50 units
Introductory examination of Planning as a discipline, scholarly endeavor and professional field. Students will learn about and evaluate the evolution of planning scholarship, planning practice and their integration in diverse contexts. Professional development topics will include journal writing and review, grant applications, consulting, professional writing, professional ethics, and knowledge mobilization.
An advanced examination of planning theory. This course offers students an in-depth look at canonical works and recent developments in planning theory and their connections to practice. Students will also consider the influence of various strands of social theory and philosophy of science on planning thought. Underlying epistemologies and ontologies will be discussed.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PLAN801 - Foundations of Planning Scholarship (0.50)
PLAN 803Advanced Research Design in Planning0.50 units
A critical examination of research design in planning. This course explores different research paradigms and systems of inquiry and their application to planning. Emphasis will be placed on the connections between ontology, epistemology and methodology that inform research design and selection of methods. The principles for assessing research quality and methodological rigour are discussed.