PLAN 531
Planning for Disaster-Resilient Communities (3cr, Winter Term 1)
This course introduces students to the study of disasters, disaster risk reduction, and disaster resilience planning. It addresses such questions as: what causes catastrophes? why are disaster losses increasing? and, how can communities become more disaster-resilient? The course focuses primarily on natural hazards in the U.S. and Canadian context, but also discusses disasters in the developing country context. Drawing primarily from social science and planning literatures, but also considering natural science and engineering perspectives, the course seeks to develop interdisciplinary insights into the challenge of developing disaster-resilient communities.
PLAN 506
Information and Analysis in Planning (3cr, Winter Term 2)
This course aims to help students gain core skills in gathering, analyzing, and presenting information to support planning and decision-making. The course will mainly cover quantitative data and methods, but will also introduce qualitative and mixed methods; throughout, the course will emphasize drawing from a range of data sources, being a critical consumer of information, employing analysis appropriate to the planning need, and developing skills for synthesis and communication to a range of audiences. This course is required for students in the Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) program.
PLAN 521
Quantitative Skills for Planners (3cr, Winter Term 1)
This course aims to help students acquire literacy and develop basic capabilities in working with quantitative data for analysis in professional planning practice. This includes developing core vocabulary, conceptual understanding, critical awareness, analytical capabilities, and computer skills. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of research design and implementation within the field of community and regional planning, with a focus on distinguishing among and evaluating various approaches to designing quantitative and mixed-methods research for the production of planning and policy-related data. This course is required for students in the Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) program.
URSY 510
Urban Systems and Society (3cr, Winter Term 1)
This course aims to examine the societal context in which urban systems operate. Essential urban systems – energy, water, sanitation, transportation, telecommunications, and information technology – all reflect social values. Furthermore, their design, construction and operation will be constrained by social norms, wealth distribution, political priorities, and power inequities. This course aims to provide students with a strong understanding of the social context in which urban systems are embedded. Accurately diagnosing and appreciating the social context of urban systems is essential for their successful management. This is a required course of the Urban Systems Pillar in the Master of Engineering Leadership program.
RES 507
Human-Technological Systems (3cr, Winter Term 2)
Technology contributes to many current-day environmental issues, as both a source of and potential remedy for problems. This course explores the complex interrelationship between technological development and societal change. It addresses such questions as: How has technological change influenced how human society functions and utilizes resources? How have technological innovations that solved a pressing problem led to new problems born of these solutions? What is the role of policy in managing technological developments and their social and environmental impacts? This course focuses primarily on technology and the city; in particular, on the role of technology in urban development, urban economic activities, and urban environmental problems. Drawing from social science and planning as well as natural science and engineering perspectives, the course seeks to develop interdisciplinary insights into the challenge of developing sustainable cities.
URSY 520
Urban Systems Planning (3cr, Winter Term 2)
This course introduces the context, profession, and tools of urban and regional planning as they relate to urban infrastructure systems, with emphasis on planning in the Canadian context. Urban infrastructure systems provide essential services such as energy, water, sanitation, transportation, and communications. Municipal governments and other planning authorities play critical roles in their development and management, and are driven not only by technical considerations but also by social, economic, political, and environmental agendas. This course aims to provide students with foundational understanding of the planning context in which urban systems operate, as well as the language and skills needed to collaborate effectively with planners to successfully manage urban infrastructure systems. This is a required course of the Urban Systems Pillar in the Master of Engineering Leadership program.
RES 502-202
Interdisciplinary Case Analysis and Research Design (3cr, Winter Term 2)
This course introduces students to the design of interdisciplinary research. Case studies are used to demonstrate how sustainability questions are turned into researchable topics and what research methods (qualitative and quantitative) are used to arrive at answers. Case studies will be used to explore similarities and differences in how questions in different domains are structured and researched. The course will consider principles of effective research design and strengths, weaknesses, and appropriateness of different research methods. This course is required for RES master's students.