The Department’s Two Year Plan features course offerings for two academic years.
Provides students interested in the planning profession an opportunity to understand the different pathways and career choices within the profession. Introduces students to guest professionals in various planning careers and highlight key issues, skills used, and tips to entering the field. Focuses on professional practice rather than analytical methods or theory. Credit/no-credit only.
Offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
Explores foundational concepts and logics of planning as a professional activity. Course examines the evolution of guiding ideas in relation to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions within the American political framework; major procedures used by planners; and critical appraisal of contemporary planning practices.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Introduces comprehensive planning as a core method for shaping and managing metropolitan growth. Examines federal and state statutes affecting local comprehensive plans, and reviews local government land use regulations and development processes. Concentrates on tools to shape land use and development patterns and their effectiveness in creating outcomes specified in comprehensive plans.
Offered in Winter Quarter
A lecture and lab-based course designed to provide students with introductory practical knowledge of Geographical Information Systems and Science for current and future coursework in urban planning. At the end of this course, all students should be functional in basic GIS skills in the ArcGIS software Package. URBDP 504 is the graduate level section for this course; URBDP 404 is the undergraduate section.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Introduces students to the planning studio and plan-making process, with an emphasis on group collaboration, background research, issue identification, public involvement, and preliminary analysis.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Studio/field project in applied professional planning. Draws on a local study area to examine the realities of problem solving in situations of functional and normative disagreement. Includes the analysis, programming, implementation, and presentation phases of the planning process.
Offered in Spring Quarter
To learn more, please see the 2023 UDP Studio syllabi and class reports provided below:
URBDP 507 A Syllabus | Homeownership in the 15 Minute Neighborhood Studio
URBDP 507 B Syllabus| Pacific County HNA and LCA Studio
URBDP 507 C Syllabus| Snohomish Planning for Climate Change Studio
URBDP 507 D Syllabus | U-District Studio Report
Please also see the 2021 UDP Studio syllabi below:
URBDP 507 A | Scenario Planning for Post-COVID Downtown Seattle Studio
URBDP 507 B | City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan Update Studio
Studio/field project on a specialized planning problem. Several options are offered each year, such as regional-environmental planning, housing, metropolitan planning, and urban design.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Introduces techniques and approaches to planning, designing, and undertaking applied research in an urban setting, including how to frame, critically assess, manage, and present research. Reviews conceptual modeling of causal relationships, choice among experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and ethical and political implications of urban research. Exercises lead to a complete research design appropriate for the thesis requirement of the MUP degree.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
The Real Estate Development studio is a required for the MSRE option in RE Development. The focus of the course has been traditionally on competitions. The course will continue to focus in commercial real estate competitions (NAIOP) and projects in the autumn quarter, however a focus on affordable housing will be the emphasis while pursuing the Bank of America’s affordable Housing Challenge in the winter and spring quarter.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Explores concepts of race, gender, racism, class, social justice, and untangle their connections between design, planning, policy, and cities.
Offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
Introduces students to the urban land market in which sites and properties are embedded Covers five areas: basic economic concepts critical in the understanding of real estate markets; urban economy; land rent theory; locational analysis and decision making; and market analysis. Offered: jointly with R E 516
Offered in Spring Quarter
Qualitative research methods covering both the theoretical foundations and practical methodologies of traditional and contemporary approaches, including cognitive mapping, open-ended interviews, ethnographic observation, hermeneutics, phenomenology, critical theory, communicative action, grass-roots empowerment, post-structuralism, and self organization.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Methods of statistical and mathematical analysis in design and planning. Emphasizes the use of computer packages for analyzing urban data, through regression analysis, matrix methods, cohort-survival population models, or other standard forms of quantitative data analysis.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Principles of GIS applied to problems in urban design and planning, landscape architecture, and environmental and resource studies. Practical problem-solving approaches using contemporary desktop mapping packages and vector and raster GIS systems. Includes overview of siting, environmental evaluation and inventories, and modeling techniques. URBDP 522 is the graduate level section for this course; URBDP 422 is the undergraduate section.
Definitions and examples of urban design; heritage of urban design; theories of city building; the role of urban design in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. URBDP 523 is the graduate level section for this course; URBDP 423 is the undergraduate section.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Introduction to site planning; how it is regulated; why it is important to know; and how to carry out its key tasks, including residential subdivision and mixed-use development layout; basic topographical and hydrological analysis and manipulation; roadways, parking and hierarchies of circulation, and site design detail. URBDP 524 is the graduate level section for this course; URBDP 423 is the undergraduate section.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Focuses on ways to live with and cope with flooding. Examines coastal and riverine floodplain services, values and assets within the context of ecosystem services; determine risks and opportunities associated with flooding and floodplains; advance identified strategies and explore benefits and adverse impacts resulting from these strategies; and gain a better appreciation for coastal and riverine floodplains.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
The first of the two, history, ethics, form and theory (HEFT) courses in the MUP core curriculum introduces students to how the urban form is shaped by economic, political, social and technological forces and how it shifts in time as a result. Students will learn about the theoretical underpinnings and ethics related to the formation and transformation of urban environments during the era of the Pre-Contact/Pre-Colonial/Indigenous City, with particular focus on the experiences of non-elite groups including first nations, immigrants, women, LGTBQ+ folks, and African Americans.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
The second in the series of history, ethics, form and theory (HEFT) courses in the MUP core curriculum. Students will learn about the formation and transformation of urban environments and the theoretical underpinnings and ethics related to those transformations during three historical eras: The Colonial City, The Industrial City, and The Post-Industrial and Global City. The course will place particular emphasis on the experiences of non-elite groups whose stories have traditionally been left out of dominant narratives of urban history, including members of indigenous groups, immigrants, women, LGBTQ+ folks, and African Americans.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Investigates how the modern transportation system is linked to contemporary environmental issues, with a focus on urban air quality problems and impacts on natural habit. This course will discuss effective policies that can enhance the quality of life in urban areas, address climate change, and preserve the natural environment.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Discusses how principles of ecosystem dynamics and resilience can be integrated into planning and decision making. This course explores theories of environmental planning; methods of environmental assessment; integrated modeling, scenarios, and strategic foresight; and collaborative adaptive management and planning. Students will learn techniques for developing scenarios, building models, assessing resilience, and devising management strategies to frame and address critical transitions and resilience in urban ecosystems in the Puget Sound.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Examines the use of Health Impact Assessment as a public health tool for informing decision-makers about the potential health impacts of proposed projects and policies. Students learn the steps for conducting HIAs, review case studies, and conduct an HIA of a current local proposed project. Offered: jointly with ENV H 536.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Examines how the design of communities and land use and transportation decision have positive and adverse effects on health. Considers built environment impacts on physical activity, obesity, air quality, injuries, mental health, social capital, and environmental justice; and explores interventions to promote healthy community design. Offered: jointly with ENV H 538.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Introduces students key concepts within Indigenous Planning including complex property rights and legal systems, intergovernmental collaboration models, tribally-led planning activities, and how indigenous cultures inform planning approaches in and around Indian Country.
Offered in Winter Quarter
The professional project is a demonstration of your ability to do independent work at a professional level. The project is to be primarily client‐oriented, dealing with a particular issue or set of issues, within a specific context. The client, for example, may be an agency or business within the realm of urban planning, a neighborhood group or non‐profit organization, sector of a city, county or other jurisdiction, or be site‐specific. The project should bring something new to the situation, demonstrating your ability to synthesize from a broad planning/design context and apply to a specific one.
A survey of the field of planning for managing risks of natural hazards-earthquakes, floods, coastal/meteorological hazards, and human-caused technological hazards/terrorism. Covers pre-event mitigation through building and land-use controls; disaster preparedness; post-even response, recovery, and mitigation of future hazards. Emphasizes hazard mitigation as a long-term strategy for achieving sustainability of communities.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Provides a basic overview of the participants, processes, workings of different components of the real estate industry (including a variety of uses spanning from residential, office, retail and industrial to specialized) as well as the quantitative components of the real estate decision-making. Additionally, students are introduced to an overview of construction management, sustainability, corporate services, property law and ethics. Offered: jointly with R E 510
Offered in Autumn and Winter Quarters
Introduces students to basic real estate finance and institutional analysis allowing them to quantify the financial implications of real estate decisions. Topics include: basic time value of money, financial leverage, discounted cash flow analysis (properties and institutional portfolios), assessment of various real estate investment classes and distribution of proceeds to investors. Prerequisite: R E 552/URBDP 552. Offered: jointly with R E 513.
Offered in Autumn and Winter Quarters
Discusses valuation theory and the mechanics underlying real estate appraisal practices. Explores the unique market within which property interests are created, allocated or transferred, the dynamic nature of real estate values, and the valuation impacts of various external factors. Offered: jointly with R E 511.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Focuses on the legal principles and issues essential to understanding the workings of the real estate industry, including the fundamentals of real estate transactions and development projects. Offered: jointly with R E 515.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Students develop formal portfolio management strategies that draw on their in-depth understanding of real estate fundamentals, strategic planning and portfolio theory. Working in teams, students prepare cutting-edge portfolio strategies including the policies and procedures for implementation and portfolio management. Offered: jointly with R E 531.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Examines the rationale for and consequences of public intervention in urban land, housing, and transportation markets through land use regulations such as zoning and urban growth boundaries, infrastructure investments, and fiscal policies to manage urban development and traffic. Prerequisite: PB AF 516 or equivalent. Offered: jointly with PB AF 561.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Provides introduction to basic practices in neighborhood planning and community development, including theoretical/historical bases; developing neighborhood plans/projects; indicators and evaluation of neighborhood quality; community participation; institutional framework, ethical dilemmas, and professional roles. Addresses current issues, including Seattle’s experience, NIMBYism, security, neighborhood character, housing segregation, etc.
Offered in Spring Quarter
This course is focused on infrastructure planning and finance and, more generally, on the relationship between planning and budgeting. We explore basic concepts, legal frameworks, politics, and processes used in the systems studied, including techniques in infrastructure planning aimed at estimating demand and predicting the effects of infrastructure projects on land use. URBDP 566 is the graduate level section; URBDP 466 is the undergraduate section.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Uses digital technologies for mapping, drafting, modeling, and communication. Includes real-world case study projects that focus on urban design and planning issues.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Introduction and survey of processes and people involved in developing real estate, including issues of site control, public/private approvals, feasibility analysis, project financing, design/construction, marketing, and asset management. Prerequisite: R E 552/URBDP 552. Offered: jointly with R E 550.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Analyses capital flows (global and national) and emerging capital market trends that affect the industry. Pays special attention to securitized real estate, including Real Estate Investment Trusts, and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. Offered: jointly with R E 541.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Political, legal, and administrative institutions closely related to the planning process. Issues of devolution of authority and public representation and participation. Legal basis for planning and associated regulation.
Offered in Spring Quarter
Theories, methods, and practices associated with historic preservation planning. Overview of preservation planning programs at federal, state, and local levels. Introduction to tools and methods needed to identify, document, evaluate, and plan for protection of historic properties. Provides opportunity to learn fundamentals of preservation planning through practical experience.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Practical experience in identifying, documenting, evaluating and developing strategies for protection of historic resources, building on introductory theories, methods, and practices. Develops skills critical to preservation planning via research, fieldwork, and writing. Prerequisite: introductory course in preservation.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Researchable issues and research methodology. Discussion and critique of selected pieces of recent research work. Presentation and critique of research proposed by members of the seminar. Prerequisite: master’s degree or equivalent in a planning discipline.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Researchable issues and research methodology. Discussion and critique of selected pieces of recent research work. Presentation and critique of research proposed by members of the seminar. Prerequisite: master’s degree or equivalent in a planning discipline.
Offered in Winter Quarter
Researchable issues and research methodology. Discussion and critique of selected pieces of recent research work. Presentation and critique of research proposed by members of the seminar. Prerequisite: master’s degree or equivalent in a planning discipline.
Offered in Autumn Quarter
Systematic study of specialized subject matter. Topics vary for each quarter, depending upon current interest and needs, and are announced in the preceding quarter. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
A Master of Urban Planning thesis is an investigation that demonstrates a student’s ability to conceive, conduct and report the results of a substantial individual study in the field of urban design and planning. The topic of the thesis may be broad or narrow, academic or applied, synoptic or analytical, empirical or theoretical, and anywhere within the wide range of urban planning concerns. The educational values are, first, the opportunity to pursue some area of interest to a level of depth, completeness and conclusiveness that is not possible in other courses; and secondly, to work on an individual basis with faculty who are informed and interested in the subject.