11:372:231 -- Fundamentals of Environmental Planning -- Spring 2008

Meeting Times/Places:

Lecture: M 12:35 - 1:55 (CDL 102)
Lecture: Th 12:35 - 1:55 (CDL 102)
Office Hours: Th 2:30-4 (BLAKE 228)

Texts: (Check at the Cook Co-op for availability)

Marsh, William M., 2005. Landscape Planning: Environmental Applications. 4th Ed. Wiley & Sons.

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. 1999. The Environmental Manual for Municipal Officials. ANJEC, Mendham, NJ.

Course Description:

This is an introductory course designed to make the student familiar with the fundamental concepts and mechanisms underlying environmental planning.

Over the course of the semester, students should become familiar with society's ongoing struggle in balancing its ability to utilize the land and environment and its need to protect these valuable natural resources. Students will learn about the basic concepts and techniques of planning, including the ecological planning model, local government planning and zoning practices, state and federal mechanisms (e.g. NEPA, CZMA), and related legal precedent. Students will also learn about natural features, processes and environmental issues that impact planning efforts with a particular emphasis on the New Jersey landscape. Finally, students will learn ways to address these issues with a variety of environmental techniques and methods.

Inevitably, the course will also explore issues such as the role(s) government can and should play in the classic "land use drama", investigate how information can be used, misused, and abused in determining outcomes of the public resource decisions, and consider the impact that present and future technologies may have upon the practice of environmental planning.

Grading:

20% Participation, Quizzes, and Homework
25% Test 1
25% Test 2
30% Final Exam

Class Outline:

(This is just a sample list of things that will be covered)

I. INTRODUCTION
Environmental Planning processes
Societal and environmental conflicts
Rational planning model

II. GETTING STARTED
So, What is your problem?
Taking inventory of the environment
Topography, soils, water, wetlands, and environmental hazards

III. FROM ANALYSIS TO PLANNING
Implementation and Administration
Master Plans -- Planning and Zoning

IV. THE REALITY OF POLICY and ODDS AND ENDS
Policy
Planning and zoning
State and Federal impacts on land use
Environmental assessment
Techniques
Site selection and site design techniques
Growth management techniques
Transfer of development rights
Planned communities
Putting it together
Case Studies

Class Schedule:

Assignment due dates are particularly tentative

January 24 -- First day of class
March 3 -- First Exam
March 17 - March 21 -- Spring Break
March 24 -- Last Day to drop and get a "W"
April 3-- Second Exam
April 14 -- Assignment 1 due
May 5 -- Final Lecture
May 9 -- Final Exam (9-11am)

Assignments

There will probably only be one assignment. Depending upon class progress and opportunities, I retain the right to add additional assignments.
Assignment 1 -- Planning hearing review

Environmental Planning News :

News relating to Environmental Planning will be posted on the Spaces and Places Blog.

Links:

An ancient list of links to pages that contain material relating to the Fundamentals of Environmental Planning can be found at the Links Page.

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11:372:231 Fundamentals of Environmental Planning
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