Planning as a Tool to Build Healthier Communities

Class Info

Fall Quarter 2017

Fridays (9:30 am to 12:20 pm) Location: SBSG 3240 and SBSG 3241 Instructors:

Susan J. Harden, AICP, LEED AP, CNU-A

Email: sharden@mbakerintl.com Phone: 949.472.3467 Cell: 949.422.0466

Jenna Tourje, AICP

Email: jtourje@gmail.com Phone: 760.296.9355

(Office Hours: By appointment)


Course Description

The planning practicum will focus on understanding the relationships and impacts between urban planning and public health. The goal of this course is to understand opportunities for proactively integrating health into planning, policies, and practices that improve local built environments and enhance the wellbeing of neighborhoods. Through presentations, readings, guest lectures, neighborhood reconnaissance, case studies, and class dialogue, students will develop substantive knowledge of what makes a “healthy” neighborhood. Specific attention will be given to how place-based community development approaches and strategies can foster changes in the built environment, which contribute to sustainable improvements in the health of communities.

Students will work in planning teams on projects that will explore the community planning process through: (1) analyzing/understanding a neighborhood – research and reconnaissance; (2) working closely with stakeholders in that neighborhood to better understand issues and opportunities; and, (3) applying that information to prepare the framework for a Healthy Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (the final plans will be produced in the Winter Quarter). Students will collaborate with our partner, the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), and will consult with local residents and stakeholder organizations.

Students will:

  • Develop understanding of community health & relationship to neighborhood planning
  • Develop skills in neighborhood planning & healthy neighborhood strategy development
  • Gain experience in stakeholder engagement
  • Enhance community presentation and report preparation skills

Student Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to:

  • Attend and participate in all class sessions
  • Participate collaboratively, flexibly, consistently, and productively as a member of their group
  • Read assignments prior to the class session
  • Make formal presentations to peers and instructors, as well as community members and professional planning staff
  • Identify, secure, and effectively utilize resource materials as recommended by the instructor and as determined by each team
  • Complete all assignments on time and comply with assignment instructions
  • Promptly ask the instructor for clarification of all assignments and other course assignments
  • Promptly ask for assistance with client relationships if needed
  • Comply with all University rules concerning academic honesty