The course emphasizes data analysis and synthesis.
All assignments entail numerical calculations and written analyses with real data for real places.
In the first part of the course, students write four short papers. They learn about data sources, data base management, and data presentation and how to draw meaningful ideas from data. In the second part, they write two reports that frame most urban and regional planning efforts an economic base study and population and employment forecasts. They learn more complex methods of analysis, apply them to a place of their choice, and strive to improve conventional planning practice. Grading Grading criteria include creativity and resourcefulness, technical competence, and quality of writing and graphics.