Environmental Planning

Structure

This course focuses on the integration of principles of ecosystem dynamics and resilience into planning and decision‐making. It is structured in 4 modules: 1) theories of environmental planning, 2) methods of environmental assessment, 3) scenarios and models of coupled human  natural systems, and 4) collaborative adaptive management and planning. Together these modules are used to frame and address critical transitions and resilience in urban ecosystems in the Puget Sound region. The course builds on complex systems theory and its application to coupled human‐ecological systems. Students learn techniques for developing scenarios, building models, assessing resilience and devising management strategies. The course builds on a broad range of approaches including strategic environmental assessment, place‐based, life cycle, and risk assessment, and adaptive collaborative planning.

OBJECTIVES

  • Explore theories and approaches of coupled human natural systems and resilience
  • Learn concepts and principles of complexity theory and apply them to address emerging environmental issues
  • Understand the implications of these concepts and principles for environmental planning and management
  • Learn how scenario planning methods help to integrate irreducible uncertainty into decision making
  • Learn how to create an adaptive management portfolio that is effective and credible in the short and long term.

PRACTICUM

The practicum will focus on Complexity, Resilience, and Innovation in Urban Ecosystems. We will explore dynamics of coupled human-natural systems in urbanizing regions and examine the drivers, mechanisms, and functions that regulate urban ecosystem dynamic and affect human and ecological wellbeing. Building on case studies linking urban patterns to human and ecological functions, we will develop hypotheses about what system characteristics and qualities make cities more resilient to change and capable to innovate. This year practicum will focus on cities and climate change. We will select case examples across US Metro areas and test these hypotheses by exploring system resilience and innovation under alternative future scenarios. The practicum will reflect on our findings and develop principles and strategies for environmental design and planning.

PARTICIPATION AND ASSIGNMENTS

This course is organized into four modules. Each module consists of 2 lectures and 2 practicum sessions over a span of two weeks. Students are required to participate in on-line discussions synthesizing class lectures, discussions and readings per module. Students will compose four memos linking theoretical concepts from each module to practical strategies for the final report. Students will work individually and in teams. In liu of a final exam, each team is responsible for a 20-page final report describing developed scenarios and strategic plans and a 30-minute presentation of their findings. All enrolled students are also expected to participate in two simulation games.

PERFORMANCE

You are expected to successfully complete all required assignments.

  1. Complete all assigned readings prior to class.
  2. Participate in all in class discussions and on-line discussions of reading related questions.
  3. Compose four individual memos reflecting on key theoretical concepts.
  4. Collaborate in writing four team assignments.
  5. Participate in two simulation games.
  6. Participate in a thirty-minute team presentation.
  7. Write a twenty-page team report.

Your performance will be evaluated according to four criteria:

  1. How regularly and actively you participate in team-work.
  2. How appropriate and thoughtful is your approach to the problems.
  3. How well informed and supported is your analysis for the report.
  4. How well organized and clear is your presentation of ideas in the presentation.

Specific Assignments’ Evaluation Criteria

Grades will be calculated based on the following criteria
Online Discussion                                10%
Memos                                                    20%
Team Assignments                               30%
Report                                                     30%
Presentation                                          10%

READINGS

This course has a series of required (à) and recommended (+) readings. The readings are available on line on our web-site. The books are on 4-hour reserve at the library. Depending on interest, we can make a copy of the papers available at the library. Required readings should be completed prior to the lectures as indicated below. A few additional readings will be handed out in class.

DISCUSSIONS

Each lecture is supported with several current articles of varied topics from ecology to modeling and political science. While it is critical to ensure comprehension of key topics there is not always time at the end of class for a full discussion. Therefore it is essential that everyone comes to class having read and digested the reading. Each module is structured to include an in class discussion, an on-line discussion and an individual memo to explore the key topics. In class discussion(s) will occur during the last 20-30 minutes of lecture, time permitting. On-line discussions provide a forum for sharing ideas from the lecture and readings among students. Memos are intended to help students link theory to practice. On-line discussions and memos should help in writing the final paper, but more importantly they should help students understand why (and be able to clearly articulate this message to decision makers) integrating uncertainty and complexity through scenario planning with adaptive management is essential to effective ecosystem management.