USP 540 History and Theory of Planning

The evolution of the urban planning field from its 19th century European origins through the 20th century U.S. history. Course addresses the question: why do we produce and implement plans? Specific topics include: philosophical issues and political-organization contexts of professional activity; the place of planning in the political economy of U.S. metropolitan development; and problems of rationality in forecasting, analysis, decision making, and design.