A focus is placed on environmental modelling and suitability analysis using both environmental and land information systems. More and more employers are utilizing geographic information systems as part of their toolkit. Students use this technology to integrate spatial and statistical information from a variety of sources and to complete a number of analytical tasks involving multi-factored analysis in both the spatial and attribute databases. Students are encouraged to integrate this technology in their other course work. The computer screen is rapidly replacing the drafting table as the medium of choice in graphic design.
Electronic slide shows.
The legal aspects of planning affect both the public and private sectors, acting as a major factor that determines what and how policies are decided upon and implemented. Through land use controls, subdivision requirements, and environmental legislation, the location, timing, design and form of a development are affected. Given this, the student should be aware of the range of legal documents that are used in planning, as well as how they are applied. Urban Development Many of the jobs in land use planning in Canada are in cities. It is, therefore, important that the graduates have some understanding of the function of cities, urban issues, and the role of planning in the issues.