URP 505– Urban Planning & Environmental Change

Course No.: 22811
Department: Urban and Regional Planning
Semester: 2016 Spring
Location: Diefendorf – 206
Meeting Day(s): Tuesday-Thursday
Meeting Time: 10:00AM - 11:20AM
Faculty: Wooster
Faculty: Wooster
This course explores a place-based approach to land use planning and environmental conservation, using the Niagara River Watershed as the study area.
The approach is based on the “Conservation Action Planning” methodology for identifying ecological attributes and assessing their health so that effective conservation strategies can be developed and implemented. The focus is on protecting and restoring water quality, ecological function and wildlife habitat. We will use a variety of assessment tools to evaluate existing conditions as well as the effects of potential stressors like climate change, sprawl, energy demand, and invasive species.
Methods and tools to be used include:
- Scientific models to define and evaluate the viability of biodiversity features
- Indicator plant and animal species and communities
- Conservation objectives in the context of landscape and function
- GIS desktop analysis
- Baseline documentation and field assessments
- Reference sites
- Hydrology: Active River Area components
- Municipal conservation policies and regulations
- Ecosystem benefit calculations
Course requirements:
Graduate only; full participation in readings, discussion, and field trips; 2-3 short paper/presentations demonstrating an understanding or application of one of the above methods or concepts; and a final project (individual or team depending on class size). Final project theme TBA depending on student interests.