URP 550– Ecosystems in Planning

Course No.: 24563
Department: Urban and Regional Planning
Semester: 2015 Fall
Location: Diefendorf – 208
Meeting Day(s): Wednesdays
Meeting Time: 3:00PM - 5:40PM
Faculty: Lutsky
Faculty: Lutsky
From the cells within our bodies to the vast bodies of water that cover almost 80% of the world. The presence and movement of water has defined every inch of the planet. Water is ubiquitous and essential to life as we know it and plays a large role in many planning projects. This seminar will focus on the way planners understand and work with water systems. The course will begin by contextualizing water – more specifically watersheds – as type of ecosystem and then delve into how planners have utilized and responded to working with water at different scales throughout the world. In addition to exposure to precedent projects students will learn how they may better observe and engage ecosystems in their planning process. The course will also utilize various modes of representation and communication of water systems and will require students to draw and present materials in addition to reading and writing.