Participants will address issues in contemporary planning and development. Topic areas include: housing, transportation, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, preservation, community development, civic space, and other relevant social and economic issues. The class format will vary from week to week to include and small and large group discussions, student presentations, a series of interviews, and formal debates.

Evaluation will be based on regular writing to be done outside class as well as brief oral presentations and participation in group activities.

Assigned readings will include selections from texts by policymakers, scholars, and critics. These will be supplemented by audiovisual material as appropriate.