PLAN 320Economic Analyses for Regional Planning

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Environment
Subject: Planning
Cross-listed: GEOG 319

When it runs

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

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)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

67% liked it54% easy83% useful

From 12 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

Engaging class, lab assignments could be spread further apart but are interesting and useful. Midterm is worth less than an assignment and is fairly easy. Go to labs and ask questions when you are there, makes it way easier.

Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
Lot's of work due to labs. but not bad. It just sucks with Prof Dawn Parker

Oct 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW Flow Remove this
There's a big workload but it's a pretty useful/interesting course. There's one big project which is split into ~4 different sections that are due throughout the semester. There are also labs/weekly assignments that will teach you how to do the large assignment.

Feb 2022 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
The work load is a lot because there is a lab due each week. There is a lot of content in the course, but it is very useful for real-life application. Overall, this course is not a waste of time and I definitely recommend.

Jan 2017 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention PLAN 320, October 2017 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.

Fall 2020

Oct 4, 2020 Any courses this term that you are finding to be enjoyable and/or interesting? 4 points, 21 comments

u/bbgardie: “I'm really enjoying ERS 335, Econ 255 and Plan 320!!!”

u/perkornah: “I’m in planning and I was thinking of taking PLAN 320 too but I’m doing a double specialization and had no extra electives. I’m glad you like it so far.”

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Fall 2017

Oct 28, 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 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 PLAN 674 PLAN 675 PLAN 700 PLAN 701 PLAN 704 …”