GEOG 3UP3: Planning Our Cities. Fall 2017 Syllabus School of Geography and Earth Science, McMaster University Instructor: Ms. Kathleen Kinsella, BSB 333, kinselkl@mcmaster.ca Office hours by appointment only. Course Text: There is no required textbook for this class. Weekly readings will be posted to Avenue to Learn (A2L). To support your learning, the texts Planning Canada and Planning Canadian Communities are available at the bookstore. In accordance with the Fair Copyright Act, small excerpts from these texts and others will be used in class. Overview: This course examines concepts of urban planning as they relate to the evolving shape of cities. The dynamic interactions of physical, social, and political elements in urban planning are addressed. The course introduces the historical foundations and theoretical underpinnings of city planning, and highlights the roles of actors in the planning process. Readings will support the exploration of planning outcomes as illustrated in various case studies that highlight the operationalization of the planning process. Examples from Canada and the US will be emphasized. Comparisons will be drawn between different case studies to illustrate contemporary planning issues. Lastly, the course concludes with remarks on the future of the planning field. Organization of the Course: This course has a lecture component and NO labs. Each week, students will attend three 50-minute lectures (Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 4:30-5:20pm). Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on the basis of a written mid-term exam, one major assignment, and a final exam. Details on the requirements for the major assignment are on the last page of the syllabus. The distribution of marks as a percentage of your final grade is as follows. Mid-term exam 20 Term assignment 55 (divided into five parts) Final exam 25 Total 100 Assessment details: Group Project Within the context of the West Harbour redevelopment in Hamilton, ON, groups of three students will create a resource (e.g., pod-cast, video, brochure, website, art installation etc.) for a special population that is dealing with a planning issue (e.g., communicate the benefits of intensification to a resistant neighbourhood association; make an argument for increased subsidized housing to city council;
communicate local concerns about gentrification to a real-estate investor; highlight indigenous peoples rights to local natural resources affected by development; propose the addition of a heritage building to the municipal database to city planners etc.) Groups will present during class time between Week 7- Week 11). Part 1: Proposal (outline issue and identify the two opposing interest groups. Make an argument for the need for an outreach tool, and justify your choice of medium). You will also need to indicate how you will be submitting your final resource for assessment. This stage of the assignment will require topic approval by the TA, if the topic is not approved, a subsequent proposal will need to be submitted. Text length 500-750 words. Worth 10% -- Due September 28 Part 2: Group presentation: Your group will present your proposal (rationale, justification, audience etc.) and your resource (may be in progress) to the class. 15% -- Week 7-11 Part 3: Resource. your completed resource. This will be evaluated for appropriateness, effectiveness, creativity, and clarity. 20% (Due November 30) Part 4: Group Evaluations. You will submit an evaluation of each of your group members to the TA highlighting their participation in each component of the group assignment. These will be used to determine another 5% of your final mark. Part 5: Attendance. Attendance during lecture for presentations is mandatory and worth 5% of your final grade. Midterm Exam 20% of final grade (October 30) A mix of multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions Final Exam 25% of final grade (Date TBA) A mix of multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions Readings: Readings will be made available through the A2L site. Material in the readings will be included on exams, and the completion of the readings is critical to success in the course. Avenue to Learn: During the term, information pertaining to lectures and labs, examinations, assignments and other course-related matters will be posted to Avenue to Learn. It is the student s responsibility to ensure they check A2L for any relevant updates or changes. Course Polices: 1. Contact with the instructor and TAs For issues relating to course assignments, you should contact your TA first. For questions relating to
lecture content and exams, you should contact the instructor. I am available to meet with you by appointment. Both myself, and your TA, will attempt to respond to your e-mail within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). In general, it is unreasonable to expect an immediate response to e-mails. What this means is that you cannot rely on last minute help to complete assignments or prepare for exams. Plan accordingly. 2. Missed exams and late assignments Missing the midterm exam will result in a grade of zero. Late assignments will incur a penalty of ten percent if they are not submitted on time. An additional ten percent will be lost for each day an assignment is late up to a maximum of three days, after which time it will not be graded. Exceptions will be made for missed exams and late assignments if evidence of a medical or family emergency is provided. All documentation relating to medical and family emergencies is to be submitted either through the online medical form (MSAF), or to the associate dean s office in the faculty of social science. 3. Academic accommodation of students with disabilities The University is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are accommodated in accordance with the terms of the Ontario Human Rights Code, and that they are encouraged to reach their full academic potential. The university also believes that the process of accommodation should occur in a climate of understanding and mutual respect, protecting the privacy, confidentiality, comfort, autonomy and self-esteem of students with disabilities. Academic accommodations can be arranged through Student Accessibility Services (formerly Centre for Student Development) (MUSC B 107). I am strongly supportive of these objectives, and am happy to meet individually with students to discuss accommodation needs. 4. Grade appeals Every effort will be made to grade your assignments and exams in a fair manner that accurately reflects the quality of your work. Remember that satisfactory completion of the assignment does not, in itself, imply a high grade. We are looking for demonstrated comprehension of material, critical and original thinking, as well as clear and concise writing and organization of work, appropriate referencing, good spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you feel that your assignment or midterm has been graded unfairly, return it to your TA with a written list of specific concerns. The work in question must be returned to the TA within 2 weeks of the date that the work was returned (this is the date that the assignment was made available to you if you do not collect the assignment in a timely manner your opportunity to appeal a grade will lapse). 5. Academic dishonesty Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and
can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy: http://www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/policy/academicintegrity.pdf The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty: Plagiarism (e.g. submission of work that is not one's own or for which other credit has been obtained); Improper collaboration in group-work; Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations. If you have any questions or uncertainties regarding appropriate and ethical practices in relation to work for this course, please contact me or your TA. * The University may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes * Week Date Topic 1 September 6 Course outline September 7 2 September 11 September 13 September 14 3 September 18 September 20 September 21 4 September 25 September 27 September 28 Introduction to Urban Planning theory The beginnings of urban planning. The beginnings of urban planning. The beginnings of urban planning The period of institutionalization The period of institutionalization The emergence of Comprehensive Planning Rationalist Planning Urban renewal + Slum clearance Modernists + decentralization
5 October 2 October 4 October 5 Critiques of institutionalization Documentary film (part 1) Documentary film (part 2) Reading Break 6 October 16 October 18 October 19 7 October 23 October 25 October 26 8 October 30 November 1 November 2 9 November 7 November 8 November 9 10 November 13 November 15 November 16 11 November 20 November 22 November 23 12 November 27 November 29 November 30 Critiques of institutionalization What values are incorporated within planning? Values cont. What constraints do planners face? Guest lecture: Amy Shanks, Planner Town of Grimsby Midterm exam Planners + the public interest Participants in planning (citizens). Guest lecture: Jeremy Parsons, Heritage Planner, City of Hamilton Guest lecture: Mackenzie Keast, Co-Founder and Director of NXT City. Bringing stakeholders together + public forums Guest lecture: Jennifer Roth, Planner, City of Toronto Participants in planning (the private sector) Participants in planning (politicians) Current topics in planning Current topics in planning cont.
13 December 4 December 6 December 7 The future of planning The future of planning cont. Review