Geography 450
Urban Planning
Spring 2000

Objectives:

This course serves to introduce students to the principles of urban planning. The focus is on housing and landuse regulation. Planning methods and analysis techniques are presented. Attention to given to a review of planning history, comprehensive planning, and planning agency issues.

Instructor:

Dr. H.W. Bullamore
Dunkle Hall 311, 687-4413 (voice mail available)
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 M-F and 8:30-9:20 TR

Text:

Frank S. So and Judith Getzels, The Practice of Local Government Planning, 2^nd Edition, International Management Assoc. Selected reserve materials as noted.

100 pts. First Midterm Exam (Mar. 2)
150 pts. Second Midterm Exam (Apr. 20)
100 pts. Final Exam (Friday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m.)
100 pts. Independent Project (due May 4)
50 pts Short Homework Projects
500 pts.

Course grades will be assigned on the basis of total points earned during the semester. Students must earn at least 450 points to earn an A in the course, 400 points for a B, 340 points for a C, and 290 points for a D.

The three exams will be entirely short answer. The final exam will not be comprehensive. Test will include materials from readings, class discussion, and independent work.

The independent project will involve developing a site plan for development or reuse of a real site. Although necessarily brief, the plan should include statement of goals, literature review, alternatives considered, a recommendation with site plan and cost estimates. Specific guidelines are attached. Both oral (time permitting) and written versions of the project will be graded. There will be several short homework projects.

There is a required field trip for Geography 450 on Thursday, April 13, 2000. This will be an all day trip. Our particular goal is to examine innovative planning efforts. Points to visit include:

The Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD
Georgetown, DC
Greenbelt, MD
Columbia, MD

We will leave at approximately 6:45 a.m. Return will be in the early evening. Explanations will be provided to other instructors for trip participants. Trip participants will earn 25 homework points.

Policies:

Students are expected to attend each class. A student with five or more absences (for any reason) will suffer loss of a letter grade. Disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated. Disruptive students will be asked to leave the class. Please consult the Pathfinder.

Academic honesty is expected in all matters relating to this course. Consult Pathfinder, p. 115. Academic dishonesty on exams or the project will lead to course failure.

Course Schedule:

Reserve Reading List

1. Maryland Citizen Planners Association, "Improving the Design of Residential Communities," September 1988.
2. Maryland Department of State Planning, Article 66B, Annotated Code of Maryland, Zoning and Planning, June 1987.
3. Michael M. Schultz and Richard Kelley, "A Model Subdivision Improvement Agreement and Guarantee," JAPA, Spring 1987, p. 259.

Independent Project.

Basic Requirements:

1. Original Research Paper
2. Presented as a formal planning agency report (neatly typed, documented, proofread, etc.)
3. Must deal with a site planning issue related to housing, development, or redevelopment..
4. Must focus on land use options for a specific, real site (the options you present need not be real)
5. Must have proper documentation (site map and bibliography)
6. The text must be at least 2,500 words, and the completed report must be 20 pages or less (including cover page, maps, and bibliography)
7. The written version is due May 4. Oral presentations will be scheduled during the last week of class.

Paper Organization:

1. Cover page (name, title, date, etc.)
2. Description of the Situation (What is the problem to be solved? You may approach this form any perspective you choose. For example, you may be working for a developer seeking best use for a site. Or for a planning agency interested in redevelopment, or another approach to development for environmental or other reasons.)
3. Regulatory Situation (Is this land zoned? If so, for what? In what jurisdiction? How could your project gain approval?)
4. Review and Discussion of Appropriate Planning Literature (Has this type of problem been solved before?)
5. Alternatives Considered (What possible plans/land use approaches have been considered? You must present at least 3 viable alternative solutions to your problem.)
6. Recommendations (What do you recommend for this site? Justify your opinion. Consider cost and feasibility. Be as specific as possible. However, feel free to consult with your instructor to estimate feasibility or cost. I am not concerned with the numbers you see, but that you consider such issues.)
7. Site map(s) You may need a site design for each alternative considered.)
8. Bibliography.

Topic:

Selection of type and location of the project under study is the choice of the student. Consultation with the instructor is not required. The location must be a real place. The proposal may or may not prove feasible.

Evaluation:

The evaluation of the paper is primarily in terms of comprehensive thought rather than detail. Specific concerns are 1) Did the paper fulfill its slated purpose? 2) Was advice and precedent sought in the planning literature? 3) Were alternatives seriously considered before a development recommendation was presented? and 4) Was care taken in the writing of the paper? Your grade will not be affected by 1) A simply prepared site map, 2) Unrealistic or undocumented cost figures, or 3) a project which proves not feasible.