PLAN 210Community Design Fundamentals for Planners
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
- Subject
- Planning
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
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)
- Students must be in level 2A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Planning
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5585 | 193 / 220 | W 10:30–12:20 |
| TUT 101 | 5632 | 28 / 28 | W 12:30–13:20 |
| TUT 102 | 5635 | 28 / 28 | W 13:30–14:20 |
| TUT 103 | 5709 | 26 / 28 | Th 08:30–09:20 |
| TUT 104 | 5749 | 26 / 28 | Th 09:30–10:20 |
| TUT 105 | 5750 | 19 / 27 | F 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 106 | 5769 | 11 / 27 | F 15:30–16:20 |
| TUT 107 | 8132 | 28 / 27 | W 18:30–19:20 |
| TUT 108 | 8133 | 27 / 27 | W 19:30–20:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it46% easy79% useful
From 70 ratings and 16 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Informative and interesting class. It’s more philisophical than technical in nature.
The lectures get boring really quick. But the studio sessions were fun and interesting, definitely value in going to them. Textbook’s not very useful (but available thru course reserves). Assignments were fun and thoughtful. It was cool to see work you made yourself.
If you are serious about getting into PLAN211 for the Urban Design Specialization, take this class seriously of course.Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I am not a design kid, but I did kind of enjoy the late nights on SketchUp. It was frustrating at times, but I honestly loved the amount of time we spent talking and thinking about design theory, the importance of contextual analysis, the significance of community involvement, etc.
Jul 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This class was fairly easy and straightforward. However, the more you progress through it, the more it can feel somewhat pointless. There are only about twenty spots available for the urban design specialization, so not everyone gets in, and not everyone wants to focus on drawing in the first place. If you enjoy drawing, you will probably like this class. If you do not enjoy drawing, the class feels largely useless unless you plan to pursue the urban design specialization.
The assignments were acceptable. They were not especially hard, but not easy either. They were very time consuming and tedious, so you should not leave them to the last minute.
The final exam was brutal. There was only…Dec 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Very fun if you're interested in Urban Design and its specialization. However, the readings are very subjective and philosophical (bs)
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Dr. Perrott is a lovely person but the lectures could be a bit dry. Assignments were a tad tedious with confusing instructions at times but useful. I love urban design stuff but I feel like this class really didn't channel a lot of that love for some reason. Feels like the course could use a couple tweaks and it could be really fantastic.
Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
7 posts and comments in 7 threads mention PLAN 210, February 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
2nd year course selection for Planning 1 point, 2 comments
u/Canadian1girl: “… 2A term – Fall PLAN 210 – Urban Planning Design and the Environment ENVS 200 – Field Ecology ENVS 278 – Applied Statistics for Environmental Research 2B term - Winter PLAN 203 – Transportation Planning & Analysis PLAN 233 – People and Plans PLAN 261 – Urban & Metropolitan …”
Winter 2022
What is planning/ is it a good program? 2 points, 6 comments
“So, I got rejected from Waterloo for the arch undergrad program. Not surprised tbh. They recommended that I consider applying for planning as it is a similar type of program. …”
u/DIYPANDA07: “… The first and second year design courses (PLAN 110 and PLAN 210) mainly uses the Adobe Suites ... so these design courses do not teach advanced skills that a typical arch program would teach. There's a few threads about planning already. …”
Spring 2020
Possible Future Planning Student 5 points, 3 comments
“I applied for Architecture but wasn’t offered a spot but was offered a spot in planning. I’ve always wanted to go into architecture but planning seems interested. …”
u/Goodfridayfood: “… There are two mandatory design courses in first and second year (PLAN 110 and 210) which can definitely be hit or miss as some of your peers will be more enthusiastic about it than others because there will be hands on group projects (can be a good or bad experience), but …”
Winter 2020
What's it like to be in your program/faculty? 41 points, 31 comments
“Last post was three years ago, I'm curious for more stories about what life is like for different programs, especially the ones less often talked about on this subreddit.”
u/perkornah: “… Some of the building/open space designs that I saw others do during my second year design course (PLAN 210) were absolutely brilliant. - Content can be pretty dry and too broad sometimes, especially in first year. - GIS and urban design courses are challenging but rewarding. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… PHYS 768 PHYS 771 PHYS 777 PHYS 781 PHYS 786 PHYS 788 PLAN 100 PLAN 102 PLAN 104 PLAN 105 PLAN 210 PLAN 262 PLAN 281 PLAN 300 PLAN 309 PLAN 320 PLAN 340 PLAN 351 PLAN 362 PLAN 387 PLAN 418 PLAN 451 PLAN 453 PLAN 474 PLAN 485 PLAN 490 PLAN 615 PLAN 619 PLAN 621 PLAN 625 PLAN 646 …”
Fall 2015
Hi, I am a bot. 75 points, 98 comments
“Hey everyone! After some discussion with mods, I think I am ready to be pushed live. I am a bot designed to provide relevant course information upon request. …”
u/YQLBen: “[[PLAN 210]]”
Winter 2014
AIF tips and Co-op Planning questions 1 point, 2 comments
“Hello redditors, I applied to the Planning program in UWaterloo and I was wondering if you guys have tips for writing the AIF. I know the basics they look for are spelling and grammar. …”
u/udunehommik: “… Second year design (PLAN 210) is all computer based! :) I'm also in the process of applying for my first co-op job currently, and it's not too bad in terms of prospects. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them